Earlier today, a friend forwarded to me an article entitled "The Lord Hath Chosen...Donald Trump?" that originally appeared over at The French Press. The piece begins with an examination of Energy Secretary Rick Perry's assertion that Trump was chosen by God to be President of the United States. What about Trump's obvious moral failures? Perry is not worried about those because God has used imperfect people throughout history, and he cites the examples of Saul, David and Solomon to prove his point. There is, of course, no mention of the fact that God later rejected Saul as king and replaced him with David - no mention of the fact that God inspired the prophet Nathan to challenge David and raised up his own son and others to challenge him - no mention of the fact that God raised up Jeroboam to resist Solomon and supplant his heirs in ruling over most of Solomon's former kingdom!
Later in the article, French cites a discussion between Eric Metaxas and Franklin Graham where they seem to imply that Trump's critics are either demonic or are operating under the influence of demonic forces. As French indicates elsewhere in the piece, folks who subscribe to this kind of reasoning often quote the first two verses of the thirteenth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans to support their assertions. We read there: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." French goes on to point out, however, "In fact, applying the logic of Romans 13, if Christians fight for Trump’s re-election, and Trump loses, they’ll have resisted the person who God ordained to become the president of the United States."
The whole question is somewhat amusing to me because it underscores just how superficial many of us are in our thinking. Even widely respected religious leaders often fail to follow the logic of their views and pronouncements. By their own logic, whatever happens to Donald Trump is God's will - be that impeachment and removal, defeat or re-election in 2020! And, if the "main-stream" media, the "deep state" and the "socialist" Democrats, succeed in getting rid of him then I guess that makes them God's agents - doesn't it? And what would that imply about everyone who worked to protect Trump - worked for his re-election and voted for him? According to this line of reasoning, that would automatically make Trump's allies working against God - actively resisting His will!
Is this God's world or not? If it is, what are we worried about? Why do any Christians bother to vote? If this is man's world, Satan's world or man's world swayed and influenced by Satan and his demonic forces, then what on earth is God doing with these human leaders? Has anyone noticed that in the days of Solomon (Ecclesiastes) and Paul (Romans) there wasn't any such thing as a democratic republic or constitutional monarchy? What happens to these principles when the people themselves are responsible for governing the realm? What happens when a ruler's behavior and policies directly contradict God's laws and will? Are Christians obligated to respect and obey the human ruler in those circumstances? Does the Christian have any responsibility relevant to pointing out those sins/faults - or does that only apply to each other? What was Christ's attitude toward the political and religious leaders of his day? Didn't Christ suggest that he was going to eventually supplant all of them?
I came out of a church that believed in God ordained government that followed the top-down model. It was considered heretical and wicked to criticize leaders. We were expected to be obedient sheep - to follow our shepherds wherever they led us. We were told that it was God's responsibility and prerogative to correct any errors or mistakes that our leaders made - that we must patiently wait on God to fix problems in our leadership. Just to make a long story short - that ended badly.
Later in the article, French cites a discussion between Eric Metaxas and Franklin Graham where they seem to imply that Trump's critics are either demonic or are operating under the influence of demonic forces. As French indicates elsewhere in the piece, folks who subscribe to this kind of reasoning often quote the first two verses of the thirteenth chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans to support their assertions. We read there: "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation." French goes on to point out, however, "In fact, applying the logic of Romans 13, if Christians fight for Trump’s re-election, and Trump loses, they’ll have resisted the person who God ordained to become the president of the United States."
The whole question is somewhat amusing to me because it underscores just how superficial many of us are in our thinking. Even widely respected religious leaders often fail to follow the logic of their views and pronouncements. By their own logic, whatever happens to Donald Trump is God's will - be that impeachment and removal, defeat or re-election in 2020! And, if the "main-stream" media, the "deep state" and the "socialist" Democrats, succeed in getting rid of him then I guess that makes them God's agents - doesn't it? And what would that imply about everyone who worked to protect Trump - worked for his re-election and voted for him? According to this line of reasoning, that would automatically make Trump's allies working against God - actively resisting His will!
Is this God's world or not? If it is, what are we worried about? Why do any Christians bother to vote? If this is man's world, Satan's world or man's world swayed and influenced by Satan and his demonic forces, then what on earth is God doing with these human leaders? Has anyone noticed that in the days of Solomon (Ecclesiastes) and Paul (Romans) there wasn't any such thing as a democratic republic or constitutional monarchy? What happens to these principles when the people themselves are responsible for governing the realm? What happens when a ruler's behavior and policies directly contradict God's laws and will? Are Christians obligated to respect and obey the human ruler in those circumstances? Does the Christian have any responsibility relevant to pointing out those sins/faults - or does that only apply to each other? What was Christ's attitude toward the political and religious leaders of his day? Didn't Christ suggest that he was going to eventually supplant all of them?
I came out of a church that believed in God ordained government that followed the top-down model. It was considered heretical and wicked to criticize leaders. We were expected to be obedient sheep - to follow our shepherds wherever they led us. We were told that it was God's responsibility and prerogative to correct any errors or mistakes that our leaders made - that we must patiently wait on God to fix problems in our leadership. Just to make a long story short - that ended badly.
A comment posted to my private e-mail account:
ReplyDelete"I used to respect Eric Metaxas but his inane comment . . . .
It is amazing to me that Christians will believe a psychopathic liar (as Ted Cruz described him) and his slanders against those who disagree with him or don't fawn all over him. It reminds me of how Tkach and his minions would denigrate, defame, and disfellowship people who disagreed with their abuse of power. Those who agreed with Tkach joined him in badmouthing the "dissidents." False "witnesses" accused Jesus. False "witnesses" accused Naboth. I would be fearful of believing any of the lies Trump tells in defaming others. He is a proven liar and deceiver yet Christians flock to him as to a messiah! I guess Paul was right when he said that the Deceiver himself masquerades as an angel of light (and is able to persuade many, not few, to see him as such!). (II Cor. 11:14)"
I voted for Trump, and with where the next election stands, with the people running I'll most likely vote for him again. I personally know of no Christians who "flock to him as to a messiah!". I think that's a gross misrepresentation by those who hate him. Nevertheless, he's no angel, nor were our other choices in 2016, nor any of our choices in the recent past. JFK was as much a pervert as Trump, and if one believes Elizabeth Taylor neither was Ronald Reagan who according to her had sex with her when she was 17 and he was married.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/liz-taylor-love-romps-article-1.1181033
If we as Christians can only vote for people who are Paragons of virtue then I guess we shouldn't vote. (sarcasm intended)
Kevin McMillen
You take a position on Trump, but ignore the thesis of the post. Do you think that it's appropriate to characterize Trump's critics as resisting the will of God?
DeleteAs for Christians voting, I suppose it would be reasonable to suggest that we should try to vote for the person who most closely reflects our values and would do the most good for the greatest number of people. People can reach different conclusions about who that might be, but wouldn't it be nice to move beyond someone who is so divisive?
I think it's ignorant to think that God placed Trump in the Presidency which is why I didn't say anything, I didn:t disagree with your premise.
ReplyDeleteI've always said that it's ignorant of the cog to teach against voting, claiming that God places people in the position, and then teach that Christ is coming to establish his kingdom because man is unable to govern himself. Well if God places our leaders in their positions then we haven't been given the opportunity to govern ourselves. Totally illogical.
Kevin Mc
Is Trump the one who is divisive or is it the media and the liberal left?
ReplyDeletekm