https://www.facebook.com/stevedeace
https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/policies-persons-and-paths-to-ruin?utm_campaign=Daily&fbclid=IwAR1vvW4CNQwtlOx2-eXWPz5iIkbHciynE_KKOD29VXgv4_VVgxL0P1e9xJc
From Steve Deace FB page
Several of you have asked me to respond to this piece from John Piper, whose work has been a blessing to me in my own spiritual growth.
Four years ago, I would've shared this view pretty much syllable for syllable. So why don't I four years later?
Four years ago Trump wasn't president, and didn't have a political record whatsoever. John is writing an article like it's still 2016. It's not.
We've actually seen what Trump has done as president. He has accomplished things. Now, you may argue he hasn't accomplished enough to justify the obvious character concerns. And I won't begrudge you one bit if that is your view. I have friends that hold that position, and respect it and think it's worthy of consideration by serious people. I just don't share it. Similar to how I don't share some of your views on infant baptism, but having studied your view I understand why you do and where you're coming from. I respect that, I just don't agree.
But in this piece Piper never considers Trump's actual record, which would seem to be a key component in determining whether to retain someone for a job. Now that he's president the calculus changes -- is that record good enough to justify the character concerns?
Because we/they all have character concerns. McCain was an adulterer and a slanderer. Romney a serial liar and an adherent to a religious view I'm guessing Piper considers at least somewhat heterodoxic. Did John feel compelled to write such pieces then? And if not, why not? What is so unique about Trump's sins that he prompts this response when the sinfulness of the other guys didn't? And when should a politician's actual record in office become part of the process by which to assess them? John never addresses that, either.
Furthermore, has he written anything like this specifically about Democrat candidates for president in the past? For example, Joe Biden paints himself as a faithful Christian, so how come Piper doesn't take it upon himself to write a polemic about any perceived threat supporting Biden is specifically to the integrity of the faith?
Thus, at best Piper's piece here is insufficient. Like judging a mechanic without actually looking at his record of repair. At worst, it comes across as a preening attempting to excuse himself for not making a choice. To appear above it all, while the spiritual cretins sully their reputations like lemmings for Orange Man Bad.
We all have character flaws, that's why we need a savior. The issue isn't Trump's (or anyone else's) character as a stand alone. None of us is worthy of such power based on our character alone. It's whether those flaws prevent them from doing effectively the job of running the country. Without question we have seen Trump's character flaws cost him politically, but we've also seen him do things Christians are right to support.
That makes the answer more complicated than the simplistic approach of making boastfulness on par with state sanctioned murder, as Piper seems to imply here. Presidential boastfulness, while personally sinful, doesn't strike at the heart of a people collectively as state-sanctioned murder does. And frankly, I can't even believe Piper attempted to make that connection. After having listened to years worth of his podcasts, I know he's more thoughtful than that.
That is the end of Steve's comments on Piper. This youtube link is worth a visit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=St38G8oJk3k&t=3392s
Go to the 53:08 mark to hear an email from Nadine about the "suburban housewife vote". Very interesting
My thoughts...
Those who know me are aware of the appreciation I have for Dr. Piper over the years, but here I think he is muddled. First I will say that I agree with the ending of Piper's article as he points us to the eternal kingdom. Folks on the left and right can turn politics into a form of religion. Been there done that on both sides.
I agree with Deace's point about not conflating personal character sins with public policy sin. By Piper's logic, what politician is worthy of our vote? They all have character flaws and egos.
As voters, we are electing someone to enact policies on a national basis. Yes, character does matter, but as Deace points out, Piper seems to be rather selective in his comments. He's been silent on this for years. No candidate in my lifetime has been above reproach. In Biblical history we see over and over how God used flawed leaders, even pagans, to accomplish His purpose. Flawed men and women are all God has to work with.
Drawing a moral equivalence between personal character flaws and the murder of the unborn via national abortion policies is so off base. Without being specific Piper seems to be aiming his words at Trump, as if Joe Biden were free from boasting, pride, lying, and immorality, etc. The man has been in politics for 40+ years. I dare say he's got some skeletons in the closet. Some are coming out now. Once Piper goes down that road of critique, then he needs to be consistent.
If we are playing a friendly backyard game we might have the luxury of being picky about the character of our team members, but if we're in a fox hole fighting those who want to get rid of us do we have the luxury of worrying about the moral values of the person next to you?
We make a mistake if we assume that the left just wants things to go back to normal where both sides are willing to accept each other and the election results. They've shown they won't do that since 2000. They don't want to share the country with any opposing viewpoints. Collectivist, socialists, and statists require control to enforce their vision of "equity and fairness."
Piper is right that God is in control in the affairs of men and nations.
