177 Evangelical Pastors Slam Christianity Today’s Anti-Trump Op-Ed

Many Christians rejoiced when Christianity Today, the magazine founded by the late preacher Billy Graham, posted an article from its editor-in-chief supporting Donald Trump‘s removal from office. (We wrote here that the article didn’t go far enough, but the gesture was still appreciated.)

But, of course, many right-wing Christians who read it were furious at the notion that support for Trump is bad for their image or that he’s guilty of any wrongdoing. Now a group of 200 Christian leaders — we use that word loosely — have written an open letter to the magazine’s president, Timothy Dalrymple, voicing their dissent.

It’s 200 spades angry that they’re being called spades. They include former Rep. Michele Bachmann, poolboy aficionado Jerry Falwell Jr., screaming preacher Greg Locke, and conspiracy theorist Lance Wallnau.

We are, in fact, not “far-right” evangelicals as characterized by the author.

Rather, we are Bible-believing Christians and patriotic Americans who are simply grateful that our President has sought our advice as his administration has advanced policies that protect the unborn, promote religious freedom, reform our criminal justice system, contribute to strong working families through paid family leave, protect the freedom of conscience, prioritize parental rights, and ensure that our foreign policy aligns with our values while making our world safer, including through our support of the State of Israel. We are not theocrats, and we recognize that our imperfect political system is a reflection of the fallen world within which we live, reliant upon the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, which is freely given to sinner and saint, alike.

…

The editorial you published, without any meaningful and immediate regard for dissenting points of view, not only supported the entirely-partisan, legally-dubious, and politically-motivated impeachment but went even further, calling for Donald Trump not to be elected again in 2020 when he certainly survives impeachment.

…

Your editorial offensively questioned the spiritual integrity and Christian witness of tens-of-millions of believers who take seriously their civic and moral obligations.

It not only targeted our President; it also targeted those of us who support him, and have supported you.

To be clear, it was an editorial written by one person with a point of view, not an objective article that warrants soliciting other perspectives. And in this case, there’s no rational defense of Trump, nor are these Christians bothering to offer one. They just don’t care if he bribed a foreign official or undermined our democracy because Trump’s giving them everything else they want.

(Which, by the way, is exactly the point Mark Galli was making in his piece.)

The letter takes offense at having their Christian ethics called into question, though at the same time, they’re defending a president who has implied Jews are disloyal if they don’t support Israel to his liking. They’re defending a man who said certain African nations are “shithole” countries. They’re defending someone who has made it easier for people to lose their jobs due to their gender identity, called Mexicans “rapists,” mocked the disabled, and cut SNAP benefits to thousands of families in need.

But he pretends that it’s okay to say “Merry Christmas” again, so all is forgiven.

They’re not offended by the article. They’re offended that people within their circles are finally calling them out on their hypocrisy. They’re offended by the truth.

What Trump is doing isn’t “pro-life” or compassionate or thoughtful. It’s cruel, vindictive, and disgraceful. And the longer these Christians stick by his side, the more damage they’re doing to their own cause. Mark Galli has finally figured that out. How long will it take for the rest of them?

By the way, we’re republishing the full list of everyone who signed the letter below, just for the sake of reference in the future. Let it be forever known that all these so-called leaders continued to defend Trump long after there was any justification for doing so.

Lourdes Aguirre
President
United Marketing Solutions

Stephen Alessi
Pastor
Metro Life Church

Chuck Allen
Pastor
Sugar Hill Church

Rev. Rick Amato
Dream Believe Institute
Wellington , FL

Doug Anderson
Pastor
Rose Heights Church

Michele Bachmann
US House of Representatives
Fmr. Member, Minnesota

Marty Baker
Pastor
Steven’s Creek Church

Rev. Wesley Baldwin, PhD
Lead Pastor
Aloma Church

Luke Barnett
Pastor
Dream City Church

Tommy Barnett
Pastor
Dream City Church

Gary Bauer
President
American Values

Henry Becarra
Pastor
City Church International

Steve Berger
Pastor
Grace Chapel – Nashville

Gary W. Blackard
President & CEO
Adult & Teen Challenge USA

Paul Blair
Fairview Baptist Church
Liberty Pastors Network

John Blanchard
Pastor
Rock Church International

Bill Bolin
Pastor
Floodgate Church

Ryan Bomberger
Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer
The Radiance Foundation

Mario Bramnick
President
Latino Coalition for Israel

Josh Brown
Founder & CEO
SoulHeart.co

Dr. Daniel Caamaño
President
Alma Vision Radio and Television

Paula White Cain
Paula White Ministries
Pastor, City of Destiny

Chris Cambas
CEO Relationscape
Founder / Chairman of Board Full Circle

Anita Christopher
President
West Michigan Prayer Center

Barry Clardy
Pastor
Princeton Pike Church of God

Dr. Tim Clinton
President
American Association of Christian Counselors

Bishop Kelvin L. Cobaris
Cobaris Ministries International

Paul Cole
Christian Men’s Network

Cynthia Collins
Founder, SpeakHope.net
Global Advisor, OperationOutcry

Jack Countryman
Vice President & Publisher Emeritus
Ministry Development
Harper Collins

David Aaron Crabb
Pastor
Restoring Hope Church

Brad Dacus
Pacific Justice Institute

Dr.Jimmy L. De La O DDiv.
Founding Senior Pastor
Iglesia Cristiana Nuevo Pacto

Apostle Alberto Delgado
Senior Pastor
Alpha and Omega

Rachel Dennis
Awaken The Dawn

Dr. James Dobson
President
James Dobson Family Institute

Dave Donaldson
Co-founder and Chairman
CityServe International

Greg Dumas
Pastor
The Crossing Church

Dr. Kirk Elliott
Founder
Veribella Foundation

Jenna Ellis
Constitutional Law Attorney

Al Elmore
Senior Pastor
Lima Baptist Temple

Jerry Falwell Jr.
President
Liberty University

Joey Fine
Pastor
Seasons Church

Dan Fisher
Pastor
Fairview Baptist Church

Jentezen Franklin
Senior Pastor
Free Chapel

Jim Franklin
Pastor
Cornerstone Church

Dr. Gary D. Frazier,
President
Discovery Missions International

Dr. Day Gardner
President
National Black Pro-Life Union

Brian Gallardo
Pastor
LifeGate Church

Jim Garlow
Founder
Well Versed

Rosemary Schindler Garlow
Schindlers Ark

Dr. Nick Garza
NHCLC Board member
Sacramento, CA

James Gildwell
Pastor
Amazing Grace Baptist Fellowship

Bishop Anne Gimenez
Rock Ministerial Fellowship

Jack Graham
Senior Pastor
Prestonwood Baptist Church

Brad Graves
Senior Pastor
Ada First Baptist Church

Danny Gokey
Contemporary Christian Artist

Paul Marc Goulet
Pastor
International Church of Las Vegas

Rev. Mark Gurley
Director
Michigan Oak Initiative

Ken Gurley
Vice President/Director of Operations
National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference.

Jon & Jolene Hamill
President
Lamplighter Ministries

Dr. Frank Harber, Ph.D., J.D.
President
The Institute for Christian Defense

Len Harper
Pastor
Overflow Church

Mike Hayes
Founder/President
Center for National Renewal

Skip Heitzig
Pastor
Calvary Church of Albuquerque

Randall Hekman
Director
Grand Awakening Prayer

Jim Henry
Pastor Emeritus FBC Orlando
Former SBC President

Robert Herber
Pastor
All Peoples Church

Jack Hibbs
Pastor
Calvary Chapel Chino Hills

Rev. Tim Hill
General Overseer
Church of God

Mark Hoover
Lead Pastor
NewSpring Church

Walter B. Hoye II
CEO
Issues4Life Foundation

Lori Hoye
CFO
Issues4Life Foundation

Mike Huckabee
Honorary National Chairman
My Faith Votes

Shane Idleman
Pastor
Westside Christian Fellowship

Bishop Harry Jackson
Pastor
Hope Christian Church

Brian Jacobs
Pastor
Metroplex Family Church

Dr. Mike & Cindy Jacobs
Founders
Generals International

Phillip Jauregui
Judicial Action Group

Dr. Thomas Jamieson
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church of Mount Dora, FL

Obed Jauregui
Pastor, Betania Church
President of MBCS

Robert Jeffress
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Dallas

Brian & Jenn Johnson
Bethel Music

Travis Johnson
Church of God Executive Council Member

Dr. Brad Jurkovich
Senior Pastor
First Baptist Church Bossier City, LA

Troy Keaton
Pastor
EastLake Community Church

Becky Keenan
Pastor
President of One With Israel

Alveda King
Pastoral Associate, Priests for Life
Director, Civil Rights for the Unborn

Gary Kirouac
Tent America

David Kubal
CEO/President
Intercessors for America

Kelly Monroe Kullberg
Veritas Forum

Hank & Brenda Kunneman
Pastors
Lord of Hosts Church and One Voice Ministries

Greg Laurie
Senior Pastor
Harvest Christian Fellowship

Jerry Lawson
Pastor
Daystar Church

Todd Lamphere
Pastor of Global Outreach
City of Destiny

Chris Leader
Ignite Outreach

Greg Locke
Pastor
Global Vision Bible Church

Frank López
Senior Pastor, Doral Church
VP of Hispanic Association of Pastors

Cissie Graham Lynch
Samaritans Purse

Apostle Guillermo Maldonado
President and Senior Pastor
King JESUS Ministries

Tim Martin
Pastor
New Life Christian

Victor Marx
President & CEO
All Things Possible Ministries

Gregg Matte
Senior Pastor
Houston’s First Baptist Church

Bishop Joseph Mattera
Christ Covenant Coalition

Pastor Jurgen Matthesius
C3 Church San Diego
Overseer C3 Churches in the Americas

Bob McEwen
US House of Representatives
Fmr. Member, Ohio

Dr. David H. McKinley
Pastor-Teacher
Warren Baptist Church
Augusta GA

Dr. Yolanda McCune
Director
HAPN Kingdom Culture

Rev. Dusty McLemore
Senior Pastor
Lindsay Lane Baptist Church

Barry Meguiar
President Meguiar’s, Inc,
Founder, Revival Outside the Walls

Eric Metaxas
Author, Host
Eric Metaxas Radio Show

Jonathan Miller
Pastor
New Beginnings Church

Morgan Mitchell
Director
Grand Traverse House of Prayer

Pastor Sergio De La Mora
Cornerstone Church

Kent Morgan
President
Randall Bearings, Inc.

Robert Morris
Senior Pastor
Gateway Church

Pastor Tom Mullins
Senior Pastor
Christ Fellowship Florida

Penny Nance
CEO and President
Concerned Women for America

Rev. Dean Nelson
Chairman of the Board
Frederick Douglass Foundation

Dr. Malachi O’Brien
Former 2nd Vice President
Southern Baptist Convention

Tim Oldfield
Pastor
Potters House Church

Dr. Rod Parsley
Founder and Lead Pastor
World Harvest Church
Founder and Chancellor Valor Christian College

Ramiro A. Peña
Pastor
Christ the King Church

Tony Perkins
President
Family Research Council

Paul Pickern
Executive Director
All Pro Pastors

Chonda Pierce
Comedian

Dr. Everett Piper
Best Selling Author
Former University President

Dr. Anthony Ponceti
Director, South & Central America
All Pro Pastors International

Rob Price
Associate Professor, Communication Arts
Southwestern Assemblies of God University

Ralph Reed
President
Faith and Freedom Coalition

Steve Riggle
Pastor
Grace Church International

Rev. Dennis Rivera
Assemblies of God
NHCLC executive committee

Ernie Rivera
President
Las Americas Evangelistic Association

Marilyn Rivera
Pastor
President of Hispanic Association of Pastors

Juan Rivera
Executive Director
Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition

Jeremy Roberts
Pastor
Thomasville Road Baptist Church

Wayne Roberts
Pastor
Bethel Baptist Church

Gerald Rohn
Pastor
First Renaissance Community Church of Sterling Michigan

Dudley Rutherford
Pastor
Shepherd of the Hills Church

Myles & Delana Rutherford
Pastors
Worship with Wonders Church

Dexter Sanders
Founder/President
Back 2 God Movement

Rick Scarborough
Recover America Now

Tom Schlueter
Texas Apostolic Prayer Network

Darrell & Belinda Scott
Pastor
New Spirit Revival Center

Tony Scott
Pastor
theChurch, Maumee

Mark Seppo
Pastor
Vassar Victory Center

Scott Sheppard
Pastor
Cornerstone Church

Danny Silk
President
Loving on Purpose

David Smith
Pastor
Oak Park Church

Ron Smith
Pastor
FBC At The Villages

Ted Squires
CEO Squires Global

Dr. Jay Strack
Founder
Student Leadership University

Mat Staver
Liberty Counsel

Darryl & Tracy Strawberry
Strawberry Ministries

Pastor Tom Sterbens
New Hope Church

Tony Stewart
Pastor
Citylife Church

Rev. Tony Suarez
Executive Vice President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

Lanny Swaim
Worship Artist

Michael Tait
Christian Music Artist

Zach Terry
Senior Pastor
Fernandina Beach, First Baptist Church

Claude Thomas
Former Executive Director
GP3

David Tipton
Vice President
National Apostolic Christian Leadership Conference.

LaNell Babbage-Torres
National Diversity Coalition

CT Townsend
Pastor
Victory Baptist Church

Pasqual Urrabazo
Pastor
International Church of Las Vegas

Andre Van Mol, MD
Elder
Bethel Church

Kris Vallotton
Senior Associate Leader
Bethel Church

Dr. Gilberto Velez
Founder and Senior Pastor for Iglesia Cristiana Misericordia
Chairman of the Board for National Hispanic leadership Conference.

Anthony Verdugo,
Founder and Executive Director
Christian Family Coalition (CFC)

Wendell Vinson
Pastor
Canyon Hills Church

Judy Wade
Uniting Our Hearts

Kevin Wallace
Pastor
Redemption to the Nations Church

Lance Wallnau
Lance Learning Group

Rick Warzywak
Director
Michigan Capitol House of Prayer

Wendy Waterson
Pastor
Sanctuary Ministries

Edward Watts
Pastor
Gateway Hope Center

Tom Winters
Winters & King Associates

Ken Whitten
Pastor
Idlewild Baptist Church

George Wood
Chairman
World Assemblies of God Fellowship