He did not expect what would happen.
Pastor Ray Ortlund, from Immanuel Church in Nashville, Tennessee, took down a social media post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris for president after receiving widespread criticism. In his original post, Ortlund wrote, “Never Trump. This time Harris. Always Jesus.” While some, such as New York Times columnist David French, voiced their support for Ortlund’s message, others were strongly opposed, especially regarding his backing of Harris, who holds liberal views on abortion.
Many critics questioned how a prominent Christian leader could support a politician like Harris, who advocates for abortion rights. One social media user called it contradictory for a Christian to vote for a pro-abortion candidate, claiming this conflicts with biblical values. In response, Ortlund acknowledged the seriousness of abortion but argued that the dangers posed by Trump to the rule of law were more significant. He framed his decision as being about the long-term future of the country.
However, Ortlund’s explanation did not satisfy many, including fellow Christians and public commentators. John G. West, Vice President of the Discovery Institute, criticized Ortlund’s logic, pointing out political concerns like censorship and prosecutions driven by politics. He questioned how supporting Harris could be justified as a defense of the rule of law, seeing it as a reflection of an isolated evangelical worldview.
Other commentators, such as Samuel Sey and former North Carolina lieutenant governor candidate Allen Mashburn, also expressed dismay, arguing that Ortlund’s support for Harris was incompatible with pro-life Christian values. They labeled his position as “shameful” and inconsistent with biblical teachings. William Wolfe, the executive director of the Center for Baptist Leadership, went further, accusing Ortlund of aligning with cultural trends and criticized his actions even after the post was deleted, suggesting they reflected broader issues within some evangelical circles.