My apologies to the president.
I’ve taken some moments for reflection and realized something just today – I’ve recently been rather hypocritical in my own position on things. While I’ve written here recently on both civility and civic responsibility, I haven’t followed my own advice. More specifically, in a recent article I referred to the president as “the idiot in the White House.”
Sure, I’ve used words “bombastic narcissist” in the past, but this was a fair assessment. By clear definitions of the words, he is demonstrably both bombastic and a narcissist.
But the word “idiot” crosses the line. With it, I’m accusing him of being “stupid” or “of low intelligence.” I think it’s pretty clear that the president’s intelligence is no lower than average (although I know he insists that he’s one of the smartest people alive). Like pretty much all of us though, he’s actually very smart when it comes to some things, and perhaps more ignorant (willfully or un) on others. But most definitely not an “idiot.” And for me to say so is as crass and uncivil as that which I myself have condemned.
I’m one of those who’s capable of giving credit when it is due. I can recognize that the president may have put in place a few policies and taken action on a few things that have actually been helpful. But I can also recognize that any solid conservative could have done the same, and perhaps more effectively. There are some who say that he has exposed the hypocrisy and dangerous dealings of the left, and yes, even that may be true. “He’s a fighter.” Sure.
But this doesn’t change the fact that he is both uncivil and uncouth when dealing with anyone with whom he disagrees – that he has openly called people unflattering names and made fun of them in a way reminiscent of a schoolyard bully. Maybe it’s personal preference, but while I understand there may be a time to stand up to others and “call it like you see it,” in general I look to leaders who can be level-headed and understanding for the majority of the time. Those who know how to listen and maybe even compromise to get something done.
Yet the main point of my frustration is that the president’s typical way of acting is not even close to being within the realm of Christian love, let alone being condoned by Christians. And while some may want to retort with something like “the Bible says ‘Let every person be subject to the governing authorities,’” we must remember a few things about this:
First, being subject to the governing authorities does not mean we must condone their actions. I’m sure Paul did not wholeheartedly agree with the authorities as he sat in a Roman prison writing “it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” His eyes were on what mattered. He could say “be subject to the authorities,” but he could also say, “be pure and blameless…filled with the fruit of righteousness” while doing it.
And there’s a trick to this too: contrary to what some people want to believe, Joe Biden is the president-elect. If you’ve been insisting over the past four years that “there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God,” and so you’ve proudly proclaimed that this president was ordained by God himself, you’d better be ready to say the same about the next one.
And finally, there’s something interesting about the governing authorities of a place like the United States. Maybe back in Paul’s day there were a lot more men in charge who had ultimate authority – whose word was law. In the US though, the founders were smart enough to institute checks and balances in the governing system. Congress writes the laws that govern us, and the Supreme Court interprets them. But even more so in the US, power seeps down through the entire system. There are states and municipalities which all hold some kind of authority over the people, as long as their means of government do not conflict with the constitutional powers afforded by all forms above them. So there’s more to submitting to authority than following the orders of the president. Believe it or not, he is not the last word in our government – he’s only a piece of it.
Interestingly, I’ve been accused of being both pro- and anti-Trump. I don’t particularly care what anyone believes in that respect. I never voted for him in any election or primary, but when he did something right, I supported it. When he did something wrong, I opposed. I think what has bothered some of the people I’ve spoken to is that I’m more than happy to point out the hypocrisy of people on both sides (and there’s just so much to point out). I’ve always maintained that Trump is just the other side of the same coin as those who “oppose” him. It’s just that he’s done nothing to hide the actions that people would normally find distasteful in their leaders. To me, that’s almost a plus – you know exactly what you’re getting. With him gone, we’ll have to go back to guessing what underhanded business is happening in the office.
But here’s the deal all Christians must remember: Trump is our president, but our king is Christ. And in keeping with the way in which Christ has called me to live, I apologize for my words and admit that I was wrong in using them. The president may be a lot of things – and thankfully in America I am free to talk about what those things are – but I must go on record right now to say that he is not an idiot.