tearing down the President

So many young Christians in my generation are ok with slamming President Bush at every turn. Yet, in the same breath they claim they are all about political unity and crossing party lines. Apparently not.

These young voters have followed in their parents footsteps. They watched as their conservative parents made personal attacks against Bill Clinton. And they now do the same against President Bush. Rather than making intelligent distinctions in "policy" disagreements with this administration, they lower themselves to personal attacks that don't help anything.

And let's not forget that Bush is a confessed Christian. So when young Christians spit their venomous words in his direction, they are doing so against a "brother in Christ." Any informed Christian would know that Scripture is clear about how we should treat each other in the body of Christ. If you still think it is ok to personally attack Bush, then you should spend more time reading your New Testament and less time reading blogs.

Many people in my generation think it's ok to slam Presidents because they see everyone around them do it. The media has traditionally had a field day with every second term President. And what is worse is that Christian leaders join the crowd. James Dobson, Christian leader on the right, loved attacking President Clinton. And now, Jim Wallis, Christian leader on the left, is reveling in attacking President Bush. When will Christian leaders, on both the right and the left, stop demonizing the current President, regardless of his/her party affiliation?

Maybe we all need to spend some time meditating on why Paul would write Romans 13:1-7 about Caesars who weren't even elected democratically. How much more should we honor, respect and submit to those whom our country votes into office?

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. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 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. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

We also might want to take note of Paul's advice to Titus and make Titus 3:1-2 a theme verse for our lives:
Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.