In 2016, when Donald Trump was elected the 45th president of the United States, a significant number of evangelical Christians, especially evangelical nationalists, rallied around a curious biblical parallel: Isaiah 45. The passage describes the Persian king Cyrus as God’s anointed instrument to accomplish divine purposes, even though he was not part of God’s covenant people. Many American evangelicals saw Trump in the same light—an unexpected, even flawed, leader whom God had raised up to protect religious freedoms, appoint conservative judges, and stand against the moral decay of America.

Fast forward to 2025, and Trump, now the 47th president, is back in the White House. Yet, there is a striking silence from the same Christians who once championed the Cyrus narrative. If Isaiah 45 was the prophetic anchor for Trump’s first term, why has no one drawn attention to Isaiah 47 now that he is the 47th president? The reason might be simpler—and more troubling—than many would like to admit: Isaiah 47 does not fit the triumphal narrative of religious nationalism. Instead of celebrating divine appointment, it warns of humiliation, arrogance, and the downfall of a nation that thought itself untouchable.

The reluctance to engage with Isaiah 47 speaks volumes about the way many religious nationalists have used Scripture—not as a prophetic challenge to power, but as a tool for legitimizing political preferences. It also reveals a deeper issue: the tendency to seek divine sanction for political figures when they serve our interests while ignoring biblical warnings when those same figures display hubris, corruption, or moral failure.

Isaiah 45: The Rise of Trump as a “Cyrus” Figure

The identification of Trump with Cyrus was not accidental. Many conservative Christian leaders, including prominent televangelists and political activists, saw his presidency as an act of divine intervention. After all, here was a man who did not embody the typical moral standards evangelicals claim to uphold, yet he delivered on key political goals—appointing pro-life judges, defending religious liberties, and moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem.

By drawing on Isaiah 45, evangelical nationalists crafted a theological framework that justified their support. The logic was compelling: just as God used a pagan king to accomplish His purposes in ancient Israel, so too could He use Trump to advance a godly agenda in America. Trump himself embraced the comparison, at times reveling in the role of God’s chosen leader.

This theological interpretation, however, had a blind spot. It failed to account for the full biblical picture of God’s dealings with nations and rulers. While Isaiah 45 highlights God’s use of Cyrus for deliverance, Isaiah 47 provides a sobering counterpoint: it speaks of judgment upon Babylon for its arrogance and presumption.

Isaiah 47: A Message No One Wants to Hear

Isaiah 47 is a stark contrast to the triumphalism of Isaiah who 45. It depicts Babylon as a once-mighty empire that believed itself invincible but is ultimately brought low by God. The passage is filled with warnings against arrogance, self-sufficiency, and the false security of political and economic power.

“But evil shall come upon you, which you will not know how to charm away;
disaster shall fall upon you, for which you will not be able to atone;
and ruin shall come upon you suddenly, of which you know nothing.” (Isaiah 47:11)

This passage should give pause to any leader—or nation—that assumes its greatness is invulnerable. The irony is striking: if Trump’s presidency was linked to Isaiah 45, then Isaiah 47 should be just as relevant now that he is the 47th president. But few, if any, are making that connection. Why? Perhaps because Isaiah 47 is a warning of judgment, not an affirmation of divine blessing.

The Selective Use of Scripture in Political Engagement

The silence surrounding Isaiah 47 reveals a troubling pattern: religious nationalists have often applied Scripture selectively to fit their political narratives. This is not a new phenomenon. Throughout history, religious groups have sought to legitimize rulers by drawing on biblical texts that highlight divine favor while ignoring those that call for repentance, justice, and humility.

In When Evangelicals Sneeze, I examined how American evangelicalism has become entangled with political power, creating a form of “Trumpgelicalism” that prioritizes partisan loyalty over biblical fidelity. The selective use of Isaiah 45 is a classic example of this entanglement. It provides a theological justification for evangelical support of Trump without requiring a moral reckoning with his character, rhetoric, or leadership style.

The refusal to engage with Isaiah 47 now exposes the weakness of that approach. If American evangelicals were consistent in their application of Scripture, they would have to grapple with the possibility that Trump’s second presidency—marked by ongoing controversies, legal battles, and deep national division—might be just as reflective of Babylon’s arrogance in Isaiah 47 as Cyrus’ divine appointment in Isaiah 45.

The Danger of Ignoring Prophetic Warnings

Throughout the Bible, God’s prophets did not simply affirm rulers; they also confronted them. Nathan rebuked David for his sin (2 Samuel 12), Elijah confronted Ahab for his injustice (1 Kings 21), and John the Baptist called out Herod’s immorality (Mark 6:18). A biblical approach to politics does not simply seek out passages that affirm power but also heeds those that challenge it.

American Christianity faces a critical test: will it allow Scripture to shape its political engagement with integrity, or will it continue to wield the Bible selectively to justify its positions? The answer to this question will determine whether American evangelicalism remains a faithful witness to the gospel or continues its slide into partisan captivity.

Ignoring Isaiah 47 does not make its warnings disappear. If American evangelicals truly believe that God raises up leaders for His purposes, then they must also believe that He holds those leaders accountable. Trump’s second term presents an opportunity for all evangelicals and especially evangelical nationalists to reassess their political theology. Will they continue to claim divine favor for his presidency, or will they acknowledge the biblical principle that unchecked power, arrogance, and moral compromise lead to downfall?

Reclaiming a Prophetic Voice

To move forward, evangelicals must recover a prophetic voice—one that is willing to speak truth to power regardless of political affiliation. This means embracing the full counsel of Scripture, not just the parts that align with a preferred narrative. It means holding leaders accountable to biblical standards of justice, humility, and righteousness, not just celebrating their political victories.

This is not about opposing Trump or any political figure for the sake of opposition. It is about restoring integrity to evangelical witness. The Bible does not call Christians to blind allegiance to any leader, but to faithfulness to God’s kingdom. That faithfulness requires the courage to apply Scripture consistently—even when it challenges our own political assumptions.

Isaiah 45 and 47 are two sides of the same coin. One speaks of divine appointment, the other of divine judgment. Evangelical nationalists cannot afford to embrace one and ignore the other. If they do, they risk becoming like the Babylon of Isaiah 47—so convinced of their own righteousness that they fail to see the warning signs of their own downfall.

The question is not whether Trump is Cyrus or whether America is Babylon. The real question is whether the American church will heed the whole counsel of God’s Word or continue to shape it to fit a political agenda. The answer to that question will define the future of evangelicalism in America.

Curing the American Church from the Plague of Identity Loss

There is one identity that can unite American evangelicals. It is an identity that marks all evangelicals everywhere, and for all time: they are co-laborers in God’s reconciling mission in the world. When Evangelicals Sneeze calls the American church back to her rich first century heritage of defending the faith, standing up for justice, and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.