Trump and Christian values?

How can Dallas Garrison’s letter about Donald Trump’s “Christian values” (“Trump’s values,” May 30) be so totally backward? I desperately hope he read Michael Gerson’s insightful opinion piece on Wednesday about The Gospel and Trump (“Graham betrays the Gospel”).

Garrison says Trump has “love of family.” Trump has been married three times, publicly cheated on his first wife with his second, and has boasted about seemingly endless sexual affairs. Garrison’s second value, “love of country,” whatever its value, is not a Christian virtue. Nationalism is not celebrated in the Bible. Even “love of Israel,” as much as many of us do, is not a fundamental Christian virtue.

If we look at the classic seven Godly virtues, how does Trump stand up? Chastity: see above. Temperance: This explosive, ranting, man is temperant? Diligence: Trump is famous for not reading papers on complex issues and changing his mind and focus almost hourly. Patience: Trump has accomplished so little legislatively because he has no patience with the democratic processes. He wants to be our CEO and just have us do as he says. Kindness: Ask those of every possible stripe who he has attacked publicly. Charity: Who does Donald Trump love? Only those who adore him without question, as Michael Cohen and Paul Manafort now understand. Humility: Donald Trump’s self focus is obsessive. In his congratulations to the winner of the Indianapolis 500, he managed to include, “I must have been your good luck charm.” He can’t even congratulate a sport victor without mentioning himself.

Christian values? Really!

James Becker

Spokane