Rev. Norman Van Walterop: Pope wrong to denounce Trump as non-Christian
The news media is reporting that the Bishop of Rome (some would say the pope) has stated that presidential candidate Donald Trump is not a Christian. First, the Bishop of Rome should not involve himself in presidential politics. I believe strongly in the separation of church and state. However, theologically he is wrong.
One is a Christian once the individual is baptized until that person dies. The individual may be a good Christian or a bad Christian, but that is for the Lord to decide. On the same subject, baptism is once as one receives the gift of the Holy Spirit. One does not repeat holy baptism. That applies whether the sacrament is performed via immersion or by the sprinkling of water.
Rev. Norman Van Walterop, Episcopal Priest, Modesto
This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Rev. Norman Van Walterop: Pope wrong to denounce Trump as non-Christian."