Apologia Radio Ep. 546 Summary

"Is Trump Going to Heaven?"

Release Date: October 17, 2025
Host: Jeff Durbin ("Jeff the Ninja")
Co-Hosts: Luke the Bear, Bradley Pierce

Overview

In this culturally relevant, gospel-centered episode, the Apologia Radio crew tackles viral comments from Donald Trump regarding his prospects of going to heaven. Using Trump's statements as a springboard, the discussion explores what the gospel truly says about salvation, the insufficiency of good works, and the unearned, imputed righteousness found only in Jesus Christ. The hosts also share stories from recent outreach events and engage with challenging questions about biblical law and justice at a university event.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Viral Trump Comments: "Is Trump Going to Heaven?"

[10:43-11:16 | Trump’s Air Force One Interview Quote]

• Trump was asked about ending the Ukraine war and whether that would "help him get into heaven." He responded:

  “I don't think there's anything going to get me in heaven. I really don't. I think I'm not maybe heaven bound... but I've made life a lot better for a lot of people.”
  (Donald Trump, 10:43-11:16)

• Initial host reaction: Jeff hoped Trump might have been told the true gospel by his Christian associates, but says Trump’s comments reflect a common works-based view.

  “I was hoping that some Christian would have been able to communicate to him that you don’t get to heaven through your good deeds.”
  (Jeff, 09:33)

• Luke draws a parallel between Trump and Nebuchadnezzar, noting Trump seems resigned to relying on his good works, but not expecting heaven:

  “He's just kind of resigned himself—‘I probably not going to heaven, but I've done a lot of good things.’... Reminds me a lot of Nebuchadnezzar.”
  (Luke, 12:17)

• They clarify they can’t know anyone’s eternal state, but Trump's comments bring up crucial gospel issues.

2. Gospel Clarity: What Does It Take to Be Saved?

[13:00-17:00 | [Main Scriptural Exegesis]

• Jeff anchors his response in John 14:6 ("I am the way... no man comes to the Father but by me"), noting the exclusivity and offense of the gospel.

• The hosts highlight dangers of "faith in Jesus" language that is popular but not always biblically accurate.

  • Example: Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Roman Catholics may say "faith in Jesus" but add works, rituals, or trust a different Christ.

  “Someone could say, ‘I have faith in Jesus.’ But, okay, what kind of faith? What are you having faith in? What's the substance of that faith?”
  (Jeff, 17:24)

3. Paul’s Argument in Romans: All Are Under Sin

[22:20-34:06 | Explaining Justification by Faith Alone]

• Detailed review of Romans 1-4:

  • Everyone knows God but suppresses the truth.
  • All humanity—Jew and Gentile—are under sin.
  • “There is none righteous, no, not one... all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
  • Key: The law shuts every mouth; nobody will be justified by the law (Romans 3:19-20).

  “There is none righteous. No, not one. No one. And so Trump needs to hear that. President Trump, sir, there's some good news, but it starts with the very bad news.”
  (Jeff, 27:13)

• Justification is a gift, not a wage:

  • Either salvation is by works (“wages”) or entirely a gift received by faith.
  • Trump, along with most of the world, thinks in terms of a “scales” system which is not biblical.

  "If you think it's through your works in some way, then it's no longer a gift. And that's not the kind of thing I'm talking about. I'm talking about a whole different category—grace.”
  (Jeff, 29:40)

• Substitution and propitiation:

  • Jesus is the substitute, satisfying God’s justice so God can be just and the justifier.

  “He does it by substitution. He's already made that point—propitiation—because Jesus did it. He's your substitute. He's the righteous one, you're not.”
  (Jeff, 38:36)

• Faith like Abraham:

  • Abraham was justified by faith "apart from works," before any rituals or even offering Isaac on the altar.
  • Paul's point: This is the paradigm for all salvation.

  "He just believed and was credited righteousness. And Paul's point there couldn't be clearer."
  (Jeff, 38:06)

4. Faith-In-Works vs. Faith-Alone: Too Good to Be True?

[38:07-41:28]

• Paul anticipates the objection: “If it’s all faith and grace, can we just sin?” Paul answers: No, faith gives birth to a desire to uphold God’s law.

• Imputation: Righteousness is credited by faith, not by works; and sins are not counted against those in Christ (Romans 4 & Psalm 32 quoted).

  “If you're thinking about this right now, like, man, that sounds too free, too powerful, too gift, too gracious, too amazing—I say welcome to the gospel.”
  (Jeff, 41:12)

5. Direct Plea to Trump

[41:28]

• The hosts reiterate their respect and prayers for President Trump, and urge for those with his ear to share the biblical gospel with him.
• Emphasis: Trump’s “so close” — but peace with God is found only in trusting Christ, not works.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We would say that would depend... Whether or not Trump goes to heaven depends on his relationship to Jesus Christ.”
  (Jeff, 12:57)

• “He thinks they get to heaven through their good deeds, through their works, through the level of righteousness that they have.”
  (Jeff, 17:24)

• “When you look at the various different man made religious systems… all those systems, their gods are just capricious... But here, there’s no ignoring of justice in Scripture.”
  (Jeff, 31:34)

• “He declares you righteous on the basis of another. That's Paul's whole entire argument there.”
  (Jeff, 38:36)

• “If you’re thinking about this right now, like, man, that sounds too free, too powerful, too gift, too gracious, too amazing—I say welcome to the gospel.”
  (Jeff, 41:12)

Audience Q&A and University Outreach

6. University of Alabama Event Reflection

[43:11-44:43]

• Jeff recounts the privilege of speaking at the University of Alabama, filling in for Charlie after his assassination.
• Security concerns were addressed; Jeff shares a story of an Amazon delivery driver who was saved from Jehovah’s Witnesses through Apologia’s content ([04:38]).

7. Challenging Pro-Life Apologetics & Mosaic Law

[45:15-67:21] | Key timestamps:

• [45:15-51:12] Audience "First-century disciple" presses Jeff and Bradley on Genesis 2:7 (‘breath of life’) and Exodus 21:22 (miscarriage) as arguments against the pro-life position.

  • Bradley debunks the misuse of "breath"—explains unique creation of Adam.
  • Respiration (life) continuous from conception, not at “first breath.”
  • Exodus 21 supports personhood and justice for the unborn—life for life if harm is done.

  “Scripture clearly has image bearers of God from the beginning... if the baby dies, life for life.”
  (Jeff, 55:14)

• [56:49-57:03] Questioner: “I believe throughout the Gospels there's example of when faced with a choice between moral law and showing mercy, [Jesus] shows mercy... he denied the death sentence to the adulterous woman.”

  • Bradley explains that the John 8 text is likely not original to John’s gospel but probably true.
  • He uses it to demonstrate Jesus did not nullify justice; rather, he exposed the mob’s failure to follow the law: where were the required witnesses? Where was the man?
  • Jesus' "let him who is without sin cast the first stone" refers to those without guilt in this specific matter, not absolute sinlessness.

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Trump’s Heaven Comments: [10:43-11:16]
• Hosts’ Theological Framework – Faith vs. Works: [13:00-34:06]
• Key Gospel Exhortation/Plea to Trump: [38:07-41:28]
• Alabama TPUSA Event Reflection: [43:11-44:43]
• Genesis/Exodus & Pro-Life Apologetics: [45:15-56:09]
• John 8 and Mosaic Justice: [56:49-67:21]

Tone, Language & Style

• The hosts speak with a mix of seriousness (“we love and respect you... want you to know Jesus”) and fraternal banter (jokes about Star Wars cosplay and Amazon packages).
• Their tone is pastoral but uncompromising, especially concerning gospel clarity and justice.

Conclusion

This episode of Apologia Radio deftly uses a headline-making Trump soundbite to unpack the bedrock Christian doctrine of justification by faith alone. The dialogue—rooted in Scripture—emphasizes that salvation rests wholly on Christ’s finished work and not the supposed merit of good deeds, church affiliation, or political service. Stories from their ministry and real-time engagement with biblical objections reinforce that this message is not only doctrinal but urgently relevant for all, from presidents to pew-sitters.

For Further Engagement

• Alabama University TPUSA event recording: See Apologia Studios channel
• Romans 1-4 in-depth study recommended
• EndAbortionNow.com: Equip your church, engage in life-saving activism

If you want concise clarity on whether Trump's good works “get him into heaven”—or anyone's do—this episode is essential listening (or summarizing).