Jim, it's good to see another post from you. I'm inclined to agree that God spared Trump, but I have seen well-argued articles that we cannot conclude this was divine intervention. Perhaps the most troubling question is this: if we say God intervened for Trump, why didn't He for the man who died? We seem to make God capricious.
Of course, we can argue that notion, too, but the divergent conclusions remind us of the complexity of life and the need for wisdom and graciousness. I find great assurance in Abraham's statement when he questioned God about His handling of Sodom: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Thanks Dennis. Pure speculation in my part. God is sovereign over all. Even in events like 9/11, God spared some and others lost their lives. We’ll never know why of course. But I choose to believe Trump was spared for a specific purpose. Just a hunch on my part as I have zero evidence to support my belief. I do know America is at an extremely volatile moment and a lot hinges on this election. We shall see.
Dennis I came across my own article the other day and was reminded of your comment. I am one who believes that God doesn't always heal, as a result of of His own divine providence (the apostle Paul is a great example). Sam Storms makes some compelling reasons why here: https://www.samstorms.org/all-articles/post/why-god-doesnt-always-heal--2-cor--12:8-10-. Also, the idea that God does not hear the prayer of the unrighteous is a biblical concept observed in passages like John 9:31 and Proverbs 15:29. Even so, for believers God may also choose not to heal them for His own glory as in the case of Joni Erickson Tada and many others. So the answer seems a bit murky. In respect to the assassination attempt on Trump, Crooks made his choice to glorify evil with predetermined intention. As for Trump, I am convinced God has (and is) using him as a vessel for reconciliation back to reason and sanity in America. Yes, I believe God intervened somehow. Not to spare Trump personally but for the reason I just stated. I know this will send some folks off the rails but there is already vast evidence for America's return from the brink of moral and fiscal disintegration as I observe. In the end, I am merely speculating and have no firm answer. I pray God gives us illumination on questions like these. Thanks for commenting Dennis.
Sorry for that... But, isn't it what rights and freedom entail? 😉 However, a couple of things have me concerned. One is Trump's salvation. How are his selling Trump's Bible and position to abortion and various sexual perversions justified? The other is that what appears seemingly convincing and promising could turn out to the opposite just as what happened to 2020 election.
Good questions Linda. At this point I think America needs someone who can reign in the radical left agenda, woke culture, and irresponsible spending. But also restore the idea of being a proud American. In my view Trump had accomplished this in his first term. But like many saints in the Bible, including Paul, we are all sinners a heartbeat away from eternity. It’s Trumps personality, warts and all, which made him popular. So for the sake of our country and the financial future of my children, I choose to overlook those warts. He, and we, will be judged for our own works. Even so, there will never be 100% consensus of any of these issues anyway. Even Biblical scholars disagree amongst themselves. Only the Lord knows if Trump is truly saved but I do know the Lord works out all things for the good. So I suppose that’s where grace enters the picture. I hope this helps. Jim
While I did not disagree with you and did applaud certain things what Trump had done for common good in his first term, I in the meantime do believe that though "all unrighteousness is sin" before a holy and righteous God, not every committed sin is equally abominable or heinous in its nature (1John 5:17). The sins that directly defy God's sovereignty and creative order, such as abortion and LGPTQ+, along with their promoters and recruiters are unforgivable if not repented of. I also believe that God is more serious to His words than we can have imagined.
The questions posted in previous comment were rather rhetoric. Although 100% consensus never exists among the saints of God, there is a universal agreement on major issues.
As far as Trump is concerned, whether he is a believer or not, God can still use him and protect him for His purposes. But that in no way implicates our holy Lord as to Trumps behavior. Thx for reading me.
Jim, it's good to see another post from you. I'm inclined to agree that God spared Trump, but I have seen well-argued articles that we cannot conclude this was divine intervention. Perhaps the most troubling question is this: if we say God intervened for Trump, why didn't He for the man who died? We seem to make God capricious.
Of course, we can argue that notion, too, but the divergent conclusions remind us of the complexity of life and the need for wisdom and graciousness. I find great assurance in Abraham's statement when he questioned God about His handling of Sodom: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"
Thanks Dennis. Pure speculation in my part. God is sovereign over all. Even in events like 9/11, God spared some and others lost their lives. We’ll never know why of course. But I choose to believe Trump was spared for a specific purpose. Just a hunch on my part as I have zero evidence to support my belief. I do know America is at an extremely volatile moment and a lot hinges on this election. We shall see.
Agreed. As Jesus said, "Watch, and pray."
Dennis I came across my own article the other day and was reminded of your comment. I am one who believes that God doesn't always heal, as a result of of His own divine providence (the apostle Paul is a great example). Sam Storms makes some compelling reasons why here: https://www.samstorms.org/all-articles/post/why-god-doesnt-always-heal--2-cor--12:8-10-. Also, the idea that God does not hear the prayer of the unrighteous is a biblical concept observed in passages like John 9:31 and Proverbs 15:29. Even so, for believers God may also choose not to heal them for His own glory as in the case of Joni Erickson Tada and many others. So the answer seems a bit murky. In respect to the assassination attempt on Trump, Crooks made his choice to glorify evil with predetermined intention. As for Trump, I am convinced God has (and is) using him as a vessel for reconciliation back to reason and sanity in America. Yes, I believe God intervened somehow. Not to spare Trump personally but for the reason I just stated. I know this will send some folks off the rails but there is already vast evidence for America's return from the brink of moral and fiscal disintegration as I observe. In the end, I am merely speculating and have no firm answer. I pray God gives us illumination on questions like these. Thanks for commenting Dennis.
If there's the sovereignty of God, then there must be divine intervention from the Most High.
Note: I lost a subscriber as a result of this post. 🤔😢Too bad. The truth needs to be told.
Sorry for that... But, isn't it what rights and freedom entail? 😉 However, a couple of things have me concerned. One is Trump's salvation. How are his selling Trump's Bible and position to abortion and various sexual perversions justified? The other is that what appears seemingly convincing and promising could turn out to the opposite just as what happened to 2020 election.
Good questions Linda. At this point I think America needs someone who can reign in the radical left agenda, woke culture, and irresponsible spending. But also restore the idea of being a proud American. In my view Trump had accomplished this in his first term. But like many saints in the Bible, including Paul, we are all sinners a heartbeat away from eternity. It’s Trumps personality, warts and all, which made him popular. So for the sake of our country and the financial future of my children, I choose to overlook those warts. He, and we, will be judged for our own works. Even so, there will never be 100% consensus of any of these issues anyway. Even Biblical scholars disagree amongst themselves. Only the Lord knows if Trump is truly saved but I do know the Lord works out all things for the good. So I suppose that’s where grace enters the picture. I hope this helps. Jim
While I did not disagree with you and did applaud certain things what Trump had done for common good in his first term, I in the meantime do believe that though "all unrighteousness is sin" before a holy and righteous God, not every committed sin is equally abominable or heinous in its nature (1John 5:17). The sins that directly defy God's sovereignty and creative order, such as abortion and LGPTQ+, along with their promoters and recruiters are unforgivable if not repented of. I also believe that God is more serious to His words than we can have imagined.
The questions posted in previous comment were rather rhetoric. Although 100% consensus never exists among the saints of God, there is a universal agreement on major issues.
Linda, I agree with you. If when we sin we do not go to the Lord for forgiveness then that is a result of a hardened heart turned away from the Lord. All sin is forgivable when we repent of it except blasphemy of the Holy Spirit (which I view as ongoing, unrepentant sin). That’s the amazing gift of the cross. But Jesus also said to go and sin no more. I like the way John Piper explains it: https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-is-the-sin-not-leading-to-death-in-1-john-5#:~:text=All%20wrongdoing%20is%20sin%2C%20but,5%3A16–17).
As far as Trump is concerned, whether he is a believer or not, God can still use him and protect him for His purposes. But that in no way implicates our holy Lord as to Trumps behavior. Thx for reading me.