The Rising Spirit of “the Resistance”

Nearly two years into President Donald Trump’s administration, there has hardly been a week without a new accusation or allegation questioning his legal, or moral, or psychological fitness for the office to which he was elected.  This week was no exception.

First, came the release of Bob Woodward’s new book, Fear:  Trump in the White House (Simon & Schuster).  According to The NY Times, the book “portrays a White House with relentless infighting and a work culture so toxic and volatile that many of President Trump’s top advisers and cabinet members became accustomed to working around their boss, whom they described as unstable and uninformed.”  President Trump and many “top advisors and cabinet members” deny the validity of Woodward’s claims.

Then came the second punch at the President.  On Wednesday, The NY Times, fresh from its commentary on Woodward’s Fear, published an anonymous op-ed letter allegedly written by a member of President Trump’s senior staff.   “Anonymous” confirmed much of Woodward’s account as he/she purports to speak for “the resistance” within the Executive Branch.  “The resistance” allegedly wants the President to succeed while at the same time to protect him from his most dangerous instincts.

Vice President Mike Pence and President Trump’s top advisors and cabinet members have all denied that they are “Anonymous.”  President Trump has labelled this op-ed and “the resistance” as treason, and rightly so.  If “Anonymous” is indeed a top administration official, he/she poses a serious threat to the security of the President and to our nation.  Especially disconcerting is what can be read as a veiled threat by “Anonymous” that “we will do what we can to steer the administration in the right direction until — one way or another — it’s over.”

Even if everything “Anonymous” has written is accurate, I believe this action by one individual or a group of unelected individuals charged with the privilege of serving in the Executive Branch of the United States government is arrogant, unethical, and dangerous.  If “Anonymous” believes so strongly in the cause of “the resistance,” why not resign and present his/her case in the public forum along with other allegations against President Trump such as his alleged collusion with Russia which has been investigated for nearly two years without substantive proof?

In spite of the unsettling events that have occurred this week, perhaps we can learn from them.  For instance, should we be surprised at the actions of “the resistance,” regardless of how well intended they are?  Hasn’t our culture become increasingly disrespectful of people in positions of authority?   Is our culture any different than that of the Roman Empire in which the Apostle Paul was a prisoner under the deranged and ruthless emperor, Nero?  Surely, Paul would advise Christ-followers to take some action to “resist” Nero, wouldn’t he?

However, as recorded in 2 Timothy 3: 1-4, Paul wrote,

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.

What are these Scriptures teaching us as Americans, blessed with much more freedom than Roman citizens like Paul experienced under Nero?   Maybe the most obvious lesson is found in Paul’s prediction of what I believe we are now seeing in full bloom; namely, how “disobedience to parents” and ungratefulness has been expanding from our homes into a spirit of rebellion against teachers and civil authorities.  This week, it has reached all the way up to the Commander-in-Chief.  And we should remember, President Trump is not an authoritarian monarch like Emperor Nero, but rather, the leader of the Executive Branch of our federal government, elected by the will of the American people.

So, I am asking what I would do as a Christ-follower if I were “Anonymous” or if I were a colleague who knew him/her?”  I’m not sure, but as a citizen and Christ-follower, I think I would begin by reading and meditating on Paul’s charge to Timothy in verses 10-17.  This is a very uplifting passage for a time such as this week.  May I encourage you to take time to read and meditate on it?  Paul’s earlier charge to Timothy, in 1 Timothy 2: 1-5, calls us to a posture of prayer in submission to our leaders as well as to the purpose of our Heavenly Father who wants everyone to be saved:

Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

Whoever “Anonymous” is, I’m confident in the outcome.  As important as presidents have been in our history, America owes its exceptionalism to the faithfulness of God Who has so often surrounded presidents with men and women of great faith and integrity.  Thankfully, President Trump is in very good company.  My place is simply to pray for our President and for “all who are in authority.”

Recommended Reading:  “Who is in Charge of the White House?” by Dr. Mark Caleb Smith, Associate Professor of Political Science and the Director of the Center for Political Studies at Cedarville University, in the blog, Bereans at the Gate.