In 2016, our incumbent president was promoted by fellow evangelical Christians as a form of chemotherapy for the nation. There were ills to be solved, and he would solve them. His character didn’t matter, they said. “We don’t need a pastor-in-chief.” Rather, the only things that did matter were issues such as abortion, socialism and restrictions on religious freedom to be cured by the chemo of Donald Trump. Poor character was a disregarded side effect. “Donald Trump will be great for America,” one friend told me. Another said, “Don’t let his character turn you off.” But, the character of Donald Trump is having a powerful effect on the nation, through speech and action.
Our president’s Twitter feed for the past four years has pounded friends and enemies alike with accusations and slander and degrading insults. The fruits of investigative reporting by journalists and news organizations large and small were lumped together as mainstream media and written off as “fake news”. In this terrible pandemic year, the term “coronavirus hoax” was propagated by the president. Science is belittled. Wearing a mask to protect neighbors was “weak”, so that NOT caring for neighbors has become our president’s defining symbol. More than 80 million people follow the president’s Twitter feed and many are following his example.
What does the Bible have to say about the president’s speech? This is from James, Jesus’ brother and an apostle in the early church.
The tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. Behold, how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, the very world of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is set on fire by hell. For every species of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed by the human race. But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father; and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water? Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither can salt water produce fresh. Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. JAMES 3:5-18 (1)
Sisters and brothers, we all have tongues. We all are sinners and must consider whether our own speech comes from above or below. How can I even speak about this topic?
These are dire times when everyone must carefully consider the ways a president impacts our nation. I love my country and want the best possible government for my people. It’s no small thing. There are more than 330 million people in the U.S. and we impact the whole world too.
Among the sinners we might elect, are we choosing a leader who is peacable, gentle, reasonable, merciful and wise? Or are we choosing a leader filled with jealousy, selfish ambition and arrogance?
For my part, I reject chemotherapy for president. I’m voting for Joe Biden.
(1) Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(r), Copyright (c) 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. https://www.lockman.org.”, published by the Lockman Foundation, copyright 1977.
Whatever is Good 