Several friends of mine have suggested that since Trump is our president, it must follow that God put him there. But let me ask you this: What about Biden, Obama, Clinton or any of our presidents? Did God put each of them in office too, or does that only apply to candidates of a certain party?
What about your Hitlers, Mussolinis, Pol Pots, Stalins, Idi Amins, and the like? Were they “raised up” by God to be in charge and to murder millions? Or do you believe that God only controls American elections, but doesn’t get involved in other countries’ politics?
I’m not convinced that just because someone is elected to power or elected themselves to take power that it means God put them there. God is in control, but not controlling. He’s on his throne, but in my opinion, doesn’t micromanage the world from there. It’s not that he can’t, but doesn’t in order to leave a lot to our discretion, or lack thereof. God is sovereign, but employ’s his sovereign prerogative to maintain our free will. Let’s not forget that he does intervene at his own discretion, often in response to our prayers. So, we pray and leave him to decide when, where, how, and why he chooses to intervene in such things in world events.
Let me ask it in a different way. DOES GOD ALWAYS GET HIS WAY?
Is it possible that, in his wisdom and love, the limitless God has chosen to limit himself in order open the possibility of a genuine relationship with his image bearers? Take a look at these passages.
Can you see from those that we have the power to resist (reject) his will, and when we do, he mourns our poor decision. Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem put God’s pained heart on display. He was brought to tears when his people weren’t willing to hide themselves under his wings for protection.
No, God doesn’t always get his way. He didn’t get his way when our first parents trespassed or ever since then as we’ve continued to live as trespassers and renegades.
It’s impossible for me to imagine how some of history’s most horrific examples of evil could support the notion that he does always get his way. The excruciating suffering and death of each Holocaust victim, the helpless little children abused by adults, or the millions of victims of famine or political corruption. None of that could possibly be God’s “way.” No, he doesn’t always get his way, at least not in the short run.
Of course, in the long run he will accomplish what he set out to do. I picture it like an aircraft carrier that is captained by Jesus, and will eventually arrive at its destination in the better world. His sovereignty assures the accomplishment of the ship’s ultimate objective. But in the short run (during this age of choice), on the way to his chosen destination, the ship’s crew can and do decide to follow the Captain’s orders or not. And don’t forget, everyone will endure or enjoy the consequences commensurate with those choices.
Greg Boyd says:
“If God decided to create a world where love is possible, he thereby ruled out a world in which his will is always done. If he chooses to create this kind of world, he can’t guarantee that his will is always done, not because he lacks power but because of the kind of world he created. Just as a triangle can’t be round, so too a world that includes love can’t guarantee that God’s will always comes to pass.”
Did God get Donald Trump elected? Well, since I don’t have access to all his secrets and how he wields his sovereignty, I can’t say for absolute certainty. I guess it would be a matter of opinion. And, if you know me, I do have an opinion. But to say that, based on the Bible, God orchestrates the outcome of all U.S. elections, is neither biblical nor logical.
Wait, there’s more. See Part 2 when it comes out in a couple days.
In the meantime, any thoughts or questions?
barney wiget 