GOD AND PRESIDENT TRUMP PLUS THE REST OF US
by Patric Rutherford
A meditation on the relationship between the Trump presidency and God.
Debut author Rutherford admits at the outset of this brief work that he’s still surprised at the outcome of the 2016 presidential election. He doesn’t view President Donald Trump as someone who concerns himself much with godly matters, although the author asserts that “God is available to [Trump] and is eager to help him solve the nation’s problems.” The author encourages readers to not hate Trump, as “Hate is too destructive an energy; it transforms you into the object of your hate or even worse.” The book goes on to explore the nature of truth (“Truthful people have educated consciences because they are honest with themselves”) and look at the actions and leadership styles of such figures as Moses, King Nebuchadnezzar, and Nelson Mandela to gain insights about leaders like Trump. And what of Jesus Christ, whose display of humility and kindness seems the antithesis of Trump-style rule? The answers that Rutherford presents are varied; for instance, he offers Mandela’s example of cooperation, saying how he came out of prison not “bitter and angry but with a heart of forgiveness.” The book certainly implies that the current president would benefit from emulating such examples. The author concludes that “ultimately our future is in the hands of our great and wonderful God.” All told, the book is a levelheaded, approachable, Christian-focused assessment of Trump’s leadership, refreshingly placing it into a greater historical and religious context. That said, it’s a foregone conclusion that the author will view Jesus as the greatest leader of all time and faith in God as essential for understanding history. It’s a message that may reassure the Christian faithful, but it may not do so for nonbelievers. Nevertheless, the book allows for broader considerations; for example, some readers may believe that it’s possible that Trump serves God’s plan in the way Nebuchadnezzar did—by giving Babylon a king that eventually led to change.
A view of a controversial president that may offer reassurance to Christian readers.