President Trump’s statement on Holy week created a stir. He said he and Melania “join in prayer with Christians celebrating the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ—the living Son of God who conquered death, freed us from sin, and unlocked the gates of Heaven for all of humanity.” The theologically robust statement isn’t the kind of thing Americans have heard from recent presidents, but former presidents and political leaders have publicly acknowledged Christian truths throughout our history. Critics will say Trump’s statement conflates church and state. But supporters argue that there must be a collective moral compass widely embraced in order for us have maximum freedom. A robust Christianity has undergirded our institutions and government, and we’re better for it.
