Dr. Wayne Grudem is a well known evangelical Christian theologian. Educated at Harvard, Cambridge, and Westminster Seminary, he is currently a professor at Phoenix Seminary and the author of a widely used systematic theology. Dr. Grudem is also a former support of Marco Rubio and was an adviser to the campaign.

In a powerful, carefully reasoned new essay aimed at concerned or wavering Christians, Dr. Grudem argues that voting for Donald Trump is morally good. Dr. Grudem joined me today for a discussion of the essay, why he wrote it and a message for Christian voters.

A few choice excerpts from the essay:

Some of my Christian friends tell me they can’t in good conscience vote for Donald Trump because, when faced with a choice between “the lesser of two evils,” the morally right thing is to choose neither one. They recommend voting for a third-party or write-in candidate.

As a professor who has taught Christian ethics for 39 years, I think their analysis is incorrect. Now that Trump has won the GOP nomination, I think voting for Trump is a morally good choice.

And also this:

I do not think that voting for Donald Trump is a morally evil choice because there is nothing morally wrong with voting for a flawed candidate if you think he will do more good for the nation than his opponent. In fact, it is the morally right thing to do.

And this:

Should Christians even try to influence elections at all? Yes, definitely. The apostle Peter says Christians are “exiles” on this earth (1 Peter 1:1). Therefore I take seriously the prophet Jeremiah’s exhortation to the Jewish people living in exile in Babylon:

“Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jeremiah 29:7).

There is much more in the essay so take the time to read it after you listen to my discussion with Dr. Grudem.

Let us know in the comments below what you think or if there issues or considerations you’d like us to address in subsequent episodes.