The following paper was written by my son, Dax Bushway, a Sophomore in high school.

Respect for the President

“The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips and walk out the door and deny him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
- Brennan Manning

Christians have played a tremendous role in the founding and development of America. One particular group of Christians, the Pilgrims, came to America for the expressed purpose of worshipping God in the way that pleased them. Today, almost 300 years later, America is still known as a country where Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and Christians are free to follow their religious convictions and commands. But, is it possible that Christians have overlooked a command from God? This command is to respect rulers because their authority comes from God. Since the concept of respect towards all authority in America is beyond the scope of this paper, it will simply focus on the respect Christians owe to the highest authority in the United States: the president. This paper will attempt to show that Christians in America owe respect to the president through eight points: one, past presidents’ mistakes; two, how Christians have responded; three, defining respect; four, appropriate protest; five, historical respect; six, Paul’s commands; seven, Jesus’ commands; and eight, Christians’ credibility. In the year 2010, there can be no more important topic than that of respect for the president. After a dishonorable campaign run by both candidates, the American people elected Barack Obama as America’s first African-American president in November 2008.

There is no denying that past and present presidents have made many mistakes. Herbert Hoover would not acknowledge the Great Depression. When Hoover was elected in 1928, experts said the stock market was solid. Then came October 24, 1929, or Black Friday. The stock market crashed. The prices for stocks plummeted; many stocks weren’t worth anything. For example, on September 3 of 1929, the Radio Corporation of America’s stock was priced at 505. Two months later on November 13, RCA’s stock was priced at 28. These sudden drops left over 12 million people without a job. The Great Depression would ultimately last 10 years. In 1930, Herbert Hoover said this: “We have now passed the worst and with continued unity of effort shall rapidly recover.” Two years later, President Hoover said, “We shall soon with the help of God be within sight of the day when poverty will be banished from the nation.” Most Americans didn’t feel that poverty was almost banished. In fact, by 1933, over a million people had been evicted from their houses and were living in little villages made up of run down shanties. Americans called these villages “Hoovervilles” because President Hoover wouldn’t acknowledge the financial crisis in America. One might say Hoover started the stereotype for “bad presidents”. But Hoover hasn’t been the only president with a bad reputation.  On June 17, 1979, a group known as “the plumbers” broke into the Watergate Building, the headquarters of the Democratic Campaign. Although the plumber’s objectives are unclear, it is widely believed that they worked for the Republican Party. Evidence later revealed that President Richard Nixon’s White House counsel, John Dean, was the mastermind of the whole plot. Dean had informed Nixon about the incident post humously. Nixon, who had never been involved in the plot, scrambled to clean up the mess. This involved ordering the FBI to abandon their investigation into the case, and battling for the famed Watergate tapes. The tapes were eventually won from the president, and they revealed how he had attempted to cover up the Watergate Scandal. President Nixon felt that he had to do something to redeem himself. Nixon went on live television and gave his historic and iconic speech where he said, “I am not a crook.” The American people didn’t believe Nixon. An ABC poll conducted within days of Nixon’s speech stated 60% of Americans didn’t believe “much of what the president says these days.” Richard Nixon knew that Congress was preparing to impeach him, so he resigned from office. Gerald Ford, who replaced Nixon, eventually gave Nixon a full pardon, ending the Watergate investigation. But the Watergate scandal left a permanent scar on the American people. Watergate changed how Americans viewed the president.  This last example, though he has done nothing like Herbert Hoover or Richard Nixon, has nonetheless sparked much controversy among Christians and conservatives alike. Barack Hussein Obama was elected as the 44^th president of America in November of 2008. President Obama stirred controversy among Christians for his liberal policies, mainly those concerning the sanctity of human life and marriage. President Obama currently holds the position that abortions are acceptable and that homosexuals have the right to marry. In fact, during Obama’s first month as president, he reversed George W. Bush’s policy regarding stem cell research, an issue of great importance to the pro-life community. On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This bill was a $787 billion recovery package aimed at rescuing the economy from a deepening recession. At the time, America’s national debt was a little over $11,909,829,003,511.75. This enraged both conservatives and liberals alike, who feared that America would now never see the end of its financial crisis. Obama also reversed Bush’s ban on federal funding for abortions.  Considering the policies President Obama has put in place during his presidency, Christians certainly have a right to hate Obama. Or, do they?

Much has already been said about presidential mistakes and misdemeanors, but how have Christians responded to these mishaps? After all, is it not Christians who proclaim the sanctity of human life? Is it not Christians who speak out against gay marriage? Is it not Christians who wish that Ronald Reagan were still president? And is it not Christians who say that they are called to be a positive influence on the world? These attributes make Christians a prime political group in America and therefore, must be studied. How have Christians responded to President Obama? Sadly, personally attacked President Obama because of his policies and actions. But some Christian’s accusations are not even rooted in fact. Wonkette.com wrote during the 2008 election that, “Obama is the Anti-Christ” meaning that Barack Obama is Jesus Christ’s ultimate opponent, and that the end of time is near.  Wonkette.com went on to give its’ reasons: “He will try to destroy the Jewish people and Israel…he will present himself as good and righteous but in fact he’s Satan himself…Obama will help Al Qaida in its evil projects…he will come to deceive (Obama says he is a Christian but in fact he was born a Muslim, practices the Islamic religion, and prays every Fridays facing Mecca)” None of these accusations are even remotely rooted in fact. President Obama, within the first few days of becoming president, issued orders for troops to begin withdrawing from Iraq and to start increasing the number of troops in Afghanistan. America’s main mission in Afghanistan is to shut down Al Qaida. Obama does not support Al Qaida; rather, he intends to destroy them. As for the accusations about Obama being a Muslim, they are completely false. Obama claims to be a Christian, and, according to Christian teaching, no man has the right to say otherwise, for it is God and God alone who judges men. President Obama was baptized at Trinity United Church of Christ in 1988. Another common response among Christians to Obama is that he doesn’t give special attention to Christians, therefore, he isn’t one. They forget that in the Constitution, America’s Founding Fathers wrote, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” By law, President Obama cannot give special attention to Christians. Obama is by no means the anti-Christ, he does not support Al Qaida, nor does he support the Muslim religion. Christians have made these false accusations against President Obama ultimately because they don’t respect him.

Obviously, the above examples do not demonstrate respect. But what is true respect? According to Noah Webster’s 1828 dictionary, respect is defined as, “That estimation or honor in which men hold the distinguished worth or substantial good qualities. It expresses less than reverence and veneration which regard elders and superiors.” In other words, respect is not the worship of a superior, but it is honor which men should give their rulers. Respect has nothing to do with how good a ruler is. If citizens only give respect to rulers who are good, then they couldn’t give respect to anyone, for no one is good (Romans 3:10-12, NIV). A person should not give respect to their ruler based on feelings, for that would reduce respect to a relative standard. Instead, Paul says in Romans 13:1, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” It would seem respect is not sentiment; rather, it is a standard. Respect is a standard that God holds His people to in their conduct toward rulers. Respect is not an option; it is an obligation.

Does respecting the president mean that Christians cannot protest against unwise or ungodly actions? No. In fact, Christians have a responsibility to protest actions that go against God’s law. If people are trying to have the president impeached, they should still respect the president till the day he leaves office. Martin Luther once said, “If the peasant is in open rebellion, then he is outside the law of God, for rebellion is not simply murder, but it is like a great fire which attacks and lays waste a whole land.” Respect and protest are not two separate entities; they actually go hand in hand. Christians must also be very careful how they speak and act, for their tongue has the power to make change, both good and bad.  The Apostle James wrote, “Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts.”    Historical figures also speak to respect for rulers. The first example comes from King David of Israel. Before David became king, the previous king, Saul, sought to kill David. When David was running from Saul, he happened upon Saul’s camp. David had the power, and seemed to have the right to kill his king. Upon Saul awakening, David declared: “This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, ‘I will not lift my hand against my master, because he is the Lord’s anointed.’” (I Samuel 24:10, NIV) No doubt, Saul would have killed David if he got the chance, yet David would not lift his hand against Saul. Did David like Saul? Probably not. Yet something kept David from killing Saul that night. It was simply that King Saul was God’s chosen king for Israel. David simply respected God’s decision, and he respected his king. If David could respect Saul, a crazed, evil, murderer, how much more can Christians respect their president? The second example of historical respect is a bit more subtle than that of King Saul and David, yet it is absolutely vital to understanding respect. The Declaration of Independence was written by America’s Founding Fathers to inform King George III of England that the American colonies had renounced their allegiance to Great Britain. The colonists were upset with the king, and rightly so, for they were being taxed without representation, and their trade had been cut off from the rest of the world. But not once in the Declaration of Independence did the Founding Fathers insult King George; nor did they ever make ad hominum attacks against him. They gave their complaints firmly, but respectfully. America’s Founding Fathers would be ashamed of the way their progeny are treating their current president. The Founding Fathers that were Christians would find it disgraceful that men and women who claim to follow God’s word would act so disgracefully.

The Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans, “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established…Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted…For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong…For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing…this is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time. ” It is interesting to note Paul said authorities are God’s servant. God himself institutes authorities. Therefore, the president does not merely derive his authority from Congress or the Supreme Court, but he derives authority from God. This means if any American has shown disrespect to his president, he should be afraid, “for he does not bear the sword for nothing.” Christians can no longer say, “I obey God, not Obama,” for the two cannot be separated. To obey President Obama is to obey God himself. There is only one circumstance where a Christian is exempted from obeying authority, and that is if the authority commands Christian’s to disobey God’s law. Many will remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These Israelite men were advisors to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. The king built a golden statue of himself and demanded all of his staff to bow down to the idol. Any man who did not bow down would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down to the statue. They said, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” These three men respectfully, but firmly, refused to obey the king’s commands, because Nebuchadnezzar’s commands explicitly violated God’s law. Something interesting to note about Paul’s command is he wrote this while Nero was ruler of Rome. Nero would gladly have spared the Christians’ lives, if only they would renounce their faith in Jesus. Christians were persecuted greatly for their firm faith. Nero took Christians, rolled them in wax, and would use them as candles to light his dinner parties. Just as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego would not bow down to Nebuchadnezzar’s statue, so also the Christians in Paul’s time would not renounce their faith in Christ. But, in spite of Nero’s actions, Paul still commanded Christians to respect this vial man simply because God placed him in authority. If early Christians could respect Nero, then Christians in America can most certainly respect their president.

Jesus spoke to many different issues: greed, pride, adultery, faith, and respect for authority. Though he did not speak directly to the issue of respect towards authority, he implicitly spoke to the issue. On one occasion, the Pharisees asked him, “Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?” To this, Jesus replied, “Bring me a coin.” He asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?” The Pharisees replied, “Caesars.” “Then render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s”, Jesus answered. Rome was a pagan nation, but the Jews followed the one true God. The Pharisees were implicitly questioning Rome’s authority over them in their query. In his answer, Jesus affirmed Rome’s authority over the Jews. There is no doubt Jesus knew about Rome’s unfair taxation on the Jews. Yet he still commanded them to obey Caesar and to pay his due to him. When Jesus was taken on the Mount of Olives, he did not struggle against his captures. In fact, he rebuked his disciple, Peter, for trying to fight the guards. What gave Jesus this sense of peace? His peace and lack of hostility came from knowing his heavenly Father had a plan. He knew nothing happens outside of God’s will, and that gave him peace. Christians today should learn from their Savior’s example. Instead of wrestling against the authority God has put in their lives, they should rest in the fact that God is sovereign over all of creation. Jesus also said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘Or what shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ for pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:31-33, NIV) Christians must not put their faith in politicians, but in God’s kingdom and His righteousness.

Jesus ascended into heaven over 2,000 years ago, but before he left, he gave one last command to his disciples: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20, NIV) Jesus is not here today to teach the gospel, but his followers are. America cannot see Jesus, but they can see his followers. When America sees Christians, they should see Christ. They should see his gospel changing lives. Instead, America sees Christians sinning and disobeying God’s commands. When a Christian slanders his president, America still sees Jesus and his followers, but in a different light. They see a religious group that preaches, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” but don’t practice it themselves. This kind of behavior does not win people to Christ; it drives them away from Him.  Brennan Manning, an author, friar, and priest once said, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today, is Christians, who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny him by their lifestyle.” When Christians refuse to pay taxes because of policies regarding abortions, America does not see followers of Jesus Christ. Instead America sees a group of religious lawbreakers who claim to follow God. Have Christians stopped to think how their words and deeds affect the world around them? Have they noticed that they have caused more atheism in America than Richard Dawkins ever will? That is why it is absolutely vital Christians respect their president. When America sees Christians respecting their president, submitting to his authority, and ultimately trusting in God for their future, the world will then want to know whom this man called Jesus was. Instead of Christians’ actions being the greatest single cause of atheism, their actions could be greatest single cause of conversion in America.

One of the main arguments against respect for the president is presidents haven’t earned, nor do they deserve respect. Americans seem to have a point, for Herbert Hoover never acknowledged the Great Depression, much less took action to help his people and Richard Nixon lied to the American people about Watergate. But this begs an interesting question: should Americans be willing to extend grace to their president, in order to give him respect? Paul said in his letter to the Ephesians, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”- (Ephesians 2:8, NIV) It has been said that those who get much grace, should give much grace. When men receive such an amazing grace, they cannot help but extend that same grace toward others. Understanding grace, one cannot help but respect his president.

Another common argument against respect for the president is: what if the president doesn’t respect the American people? What if he is just power-hungry and abuses his office? This is still no reason to disrespect the president. Jesus said in his Sermon on Mount, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums the Law and the Prophets.”- (Matthew 7:12, NIV) People must treat others as they want to be treated. If the American people are disgruntled regarding the treatment their president gives them, they would do well to examine themselves first, and see whether they have extended respect towards the president.  Perhaps Mahatma Gandhi summed this up best when he said, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

In conclusion, Christians in America must respect their president. After investigating presidents’ past mistakes, Christianity’s response, true respect, respectful action, history’s example, the Apostle Paul’s command, Jesus’ command, and Christians’ Credibility, Christians have no excuse for disrespect towards their president. If Christians truly have faith in the promises of God, they will obey his commands. They will have faith like Abraham of old, who was promised by God that he would become a great nation, and waited 25 years for God to give him a son. God is watching over His people, and He will never let them go. As Jesus said before his ascension, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 20b, NIV)

Works Cited

1. The New International Version Bible.  Michigan: Zondervan, 2002. Print.

2. Bainton, Roland H. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther. Massachusetts: Hendrickson, 1950. Print

3. Johnson, Paul. A History of the American People. Great Britain: Weidenfield and Nicolson, 1997. Print

4. Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot’s History of the United States. New York: Sentinel, 2004. Print

5. Hakim, Joy. A History of US. Vol. 9. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print.

6. Hakim, Joy. A History of US. Vol. 10. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003. Print.

7. “Barack Obama.” Wikipedia.com. Wikipedia, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

8. “Obama’s Unholy War Against Christians, Not Islam.” Spectator.org. Spectator, 4-8-09. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

9. “Clinton and Obama Work Against Christians.” Christiannewswire.com. Christian Newswire, 1-31-08. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

10. “The Christian’s Case Against Barack Saddam Hussein Obama.” Wonkette.com. Wonkette, n.d. Web. 24 Feb. 2009.

11. Notgrass, Ray. We Hold These Truths. Tennessee: The Notgrass Company, 2008. Print.

12. Webster, Noah. American Dictionary of the English Language. Ohio: R.R. Donnelley, 2006. Print.

13. “Brennan Manning.” Wikipedia.com. Wikipedia, n.d. Web March 4, 2010.

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