Re: [MLUG - DISCUSSION] [POLITICS][RELIGION] Billy Graham and the Presidents

[Stephen Montgomery-Smith <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Stephen Montgomery-Smith wrote:
> Mike Miller wrote:
> > Did any of you see the special 20/20 episode on Billy Graham a few 
> > weeks ago?  It was very interesting.  Here's some info:
> >
> > http://www.google.com/search?q=20%2F20+billy+graham
> >
> > The most interesting aspect was that Graham believes that Presidents 
> > of the United States are chosen by God.  The Presidents either have 
> > similar beliefs or they play along because they think it helps their 
> > public image. I thought we had gotten passed the days where our leader 
> > was God's representative on Earth.  I thought GWB was unusual in his 
> > religiosity. But if you believe the show, most, if not all, recent 
> > Presidents were like that -- believing that through prayers they can 
> > connect with God and receive direction.  This is a little worrisome, 
> > isn't it?
> >
> > The reason it is worrisome is that when a person prays he is not being 
> > guided by some supreme being, or at least there is no reason to think 
> > that he is and there is no way to know that he is.  So we end up with 
> > a man who believes that his thoughts have been planted in his head by 
> > an omniscient God and I would think that he might become a little 
> > overconfident.  I mean, why rely on expert advisors who have dedicated 
> > their lives to analyzing certain problems in economics or 
> > international affairs if you can go straight to an omniscient God for 
> > an answer?  I hope that even the religious readers of this list can 
> > see why that possibility is a bit disturbing to most reasonable people.
> >
> > For the religionists:  What would happen if we had a President who is 
> > not very good at praying and he never really makes the connection?  He 
> > ends up following his own advice as if it had come from God.  Or what 
> > if we have a President who hears God and Satan, but he chooses Satan 
> > and tells us he's working for God.  How do you know?  I think the 
> > answer is that we have to ignore Presidential religiosity, or claimed 
> > religiosity, and push for a President who selects excellent advisors 
> > and follows their advice.
> >
> > Mike
>
> Sorry Mike, I'm not biting today.
>
> Stephen

Dash it all - I will bite.  But not to argue your point, just to educate 
you on a bit of theology.

The notion that God chooses presidents has nothing to do with whether 
the presidents pay lip service to serving God or not.  Rather it is 
standard Augustinian/Calvinist theology that states that all things that 
happen are according to God's will, and serve his purpose.

That all authority comes from God is clearly stated in Romans 13:1. 
This applies even to the most wicked leadership such as Nero or Saddam 
Hussein.

See also 2 Kings 19:25 (and the surrounding verses to understand the 
context).

Stephen


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