A SONG FOR TRUMP'S WHITE EVANGELICALS
On May 14, I told you about the new book I have edited : THE SPIRITUAL DANGER OF DONALD TRUMP: 30 EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS ON JUSTICE TRUTH AND MORAL INTEGRITY.
Today, I want to share a powerful song written by Dan Deitrich, one of the chapter writers in the book. Dan was a pastor, serving as a worship leader, and his song is a plea to his fellow evangelicals.
In his chapter Dan explains what moved him to write the song, “Hymn for the 81%”:
“In 2016, 81 percent of white evangelical Christians voted for Donald Trump after hearing an audio recording of him bragging about sexually assaulting women.
“In the years since, even after enacting the deliberately cruel Zero Tolerance policy which ripped families apart and put children in cages at the southern border, evangelical support is as fervent as ever.
“This phenomenon hits close to home because I was raised in the evangelical world. Countless hours in church services, youth group gatherings, retreats, and summer camps shaped me. I was taught to take the words of Jesus seriously: love God, love your neighbor, feed the hungry, fight against injustice. I was taught that things like love, peace, kindness, gentleness, and self-control matter. That’s why I have been so confused and deeply saddened by the unflinching loyalty to a man who so clearly embodies the opposite of these values.
“With this mix of sadness and confusion, even anger and betrayal, I sat down with my guitar and pen. What came out is both a lament and rebuke. Inspired by the words of Jesus and the Prophets, it doesn’t sugar-coat the critique, but it does come from a deep well of love for the faith tradition I was raised in.”
Hymn for the 81% By Daniel Deitrich
I grew up in your churches
Sunday morning and evening service
Knelt in tears at the foot of the rugged cross
You taught me every life is sacred
Feed the hungry, clothe the naked
I learned from you the highest law is Love
I believed you when you said
That I should trust the words in red
To guide my steps through a wicked world
I assumed you’d do the same
So imagine my dismay
When I watched you lead the sheep to the wolves
You said to love the lost
So I’m loving you now
You said to speak the truth
So I’m calling you out
Why don’t you live the words
That you put in my mouth
May love overcome and justice roll down
They started putting kids in cages
Ripping mothers from their babies
And I looked to you to speak on their behalf But all I heard was silence
Or worse you justified it
Singing glory hallelujah raise the flag
Your fear had turned to hatred
But you baptized it with language
torn from the pages of the good book
You weaponized religion
And you wonder why I’m leaving
To find Jesus on the wrong side of your walls
You said to love the lost
So I’m loving you now
You said to speak the truth
So I’m calling you out
Why don’t you live the words
That you put in my mouth
May love overcome and justice roll down
Come home, come home
You’re better than this
You taught me better than this Come home, come home You’re better than this
You taught me better than this
You said to love the lost
I’m trying to love you now
You said to speak the truth
So I’m calling you out
Why don’t you live the words
That you put in my mouth
May love overcome and justice roll down
May love overcome and justice roll down
May love overcome and justice roll down.
You can purchase the song at:https://dandeitrich.bandcamp.com.
It is also on youtube:
You can also order the book. THE SPIRITUAL DANGER OF DONALD TRUMP, at www.wipfandstock.com. Use the code/coupon DANGER50 to get a 50% discount. And get a few extra copies to give to friends who need to hear Dan’s lament.
Pass this song on and invite your friends to join my free blog: ronsiderblog.substack.com.