Randall Balmer, who is an author and chairman of the Religion department at Dartmouth College, recently wrote an editorial for CNN in which he criticized Liberty University President Jerry Falwall, Jr. for endorsing Donald Trump for president. He wrote that Trump is not someone who practices Jesus’ teachings about helping the poor and less fortunate, so by extension, Falwell was being hypocritical for supporting such a person for president rather than someone who lived a life more consistent with Christian values. Below is the letter that I sent him regarding his article:

Dear Mr. Balmer,

I read your article about Jerry Falwell, Jr.'s endorsement of Donald Trump. You made some valid points about the hypocrisy of many conservative evangelicals when it comes to their politics. Indeed, many of them hold political views and support political candidates that are Completely Inconsistent with the teachings of Jesus. As a conservative Christian, this is a major concern of mine. However, people like yourself seem to be blind to the hypocrisy of liberal Christians and the politicians they support. Most of them support abortion rights and homosexual marriage, both of which are completely inconsistent with biblical principles.

By the way, Jesus never advocated using the government to help the poor (he said taxes were paid to "render unto Caesar"). On the contrary, he said charity was an individual responsibility and that, as you pointed out, individuals would be Held Responsible on Judgment Day for how they treated the poor. And they will also be held responsible for living a holy life that is free of an unrepentant attitude about sin. Keep in mind that Jesus said that nothing sinful will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven.

Best Regards,

Terry Mitchell