Dr. Richard Land, president of Southern Evangelical Seminary and executive editor of The Christian Post, says he's under fire after agreeing to serve on Donald Trump's new evangelical advisory board.
That criticism comes even though Trump did not require any of the 25 evangelical leaders who've also joined to have to endorse him as the presumptive Republican presidential candidate.
Writing in
the Christian Post, Land said:
"Mr. Trump and his advisors asked us to join the advisory board (no endorsement required) in order to give [him] spiritual counsel and advice on moral and ethical issues arising during the campaign."
Those issues, as outlined by fellow board member Jack Graham, include, "nominations to the U.S. Supreme Court and federal judiciary. A defense of the sanctity of all human life [and] defending religious liberty both domestically and internationally."
"What would our critics have us do? Would they really have us spurn the opportunity to give spiritual counsel and advice to Mr. Trump and his team? How would that be obedience to our Saviour's command to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world?" Land writes.
"We never know how God may use our advice and witness in Donald Trump's life. Is it not our responsibility to 'be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you."'
Land said he believes it is the "spiritual obligation and responsibility" of the clergy "to speak biblical truth in love to all who will listen."
"It is our duty to speak biblical truth to Mr. Trump. It is his responsibility as to how Mr. Trump responds to our counsel and advice," Land wrote.
"We as Christians often ask ourselves 'what would Jesus do?' Frankly, I cannot imagine our Savior would draw His robes around Himself and walk on the other side of the street and spurn Mr. Trump's request for spiritual counsel and advice."
Land added he would also advise presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton if she asked.
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