It was in the context of the fall in the Garden of Eden. He accused God of causing Eve's disobedience—eating a fruit from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge.
We who trust the Bible and who worship the God of creation (about 80% of the population) were outraged. How could the highest official of our land brazenly malign, in a public forum on live TV, the center of our faith?
I have atheist and agnostic friends, but not any of them dares say anything against my God to my face, not even in jest.
The president's apologists, sensing the public outcry, quickly came to his defense, explaining that the boss was just exercising his freedom of speech, guaranteed in our constitution. Others went even further, “He didn’t really mean it . . .” “Try to understand his boyhood trauma . . .” etc.
But aren’t presidents supposed to be statesmen, respecting all the beliefs of their constituents—in public at least? We’ve repeatedly heard and watched how our president curses heads of states, the Pope, institutions, and individuals who disagree with him.
And now, God??!!
Many were appalled that he could be so mean as to mock the God of grace to Whom we pray for his administration’s well-being and wisdom. I grieved and wept when the people in the audience laughed at his blasphemous tirade.
Have we sunk this low?
Not content with his insult, our president stoked the fire the next day, "If you can prove to me that there is a God, I will resign."
Pressured by religious groups and individuals who expressed their indignation on social media, he finally said, albeit nonchalantly, "Sorry, God."
Max Lucado: “Repentance is a genuine, sincere regret that creates sorrow and moves us to admit wrong and desire to do better. It’s an inward conviction that expresses itself on outward actions.”
Charles Spurgeon: "Repentance is a discovery of the evil of sin, a mourning that we have committed it, a resolution to forsake it. It is, in fact, a change of mind of a very deep and practical character, which makes the man love what once he hated, and hate what once he loved."
John Piper: "Repenting means experiencing a change of mind that now sees God as true and beautiful and worthy of all our praise and all our obedience."
Whether President Duterte is indeed sorry for defaming God, and for demeaning us, the people he governs, is not for me to say. Only God knows his heart.
4 comments:
Thanks for this, Grace. You put into words what many Christians wanted to say.
What if he continues to harden his heart and he meets his end? I feel so sorry for this president. He had every chance to become great but his arrogance and pride became his downfall. God have mercy on his soul.
Dear Unknown,
I have been trying hard to "stomach" all the president's curses, threats, misogyny, and policies on human rights because, after all, he was elected by the people. But he went up too high. I wrote this not to defend God, because He does not need defending, but to affirm my faith. I feel that everyone who believes should to in this terribly divided nation, where hatred, vengeance, and bitterness are being encouraged by the highest official of the land.
Thanks for visiting. God bless you.
Hello, Yay!
Despite all his negative pronouncements, his disregard for human life, and disrespect to those who oppose him (especially women), I continue to pray for him.
See you soon?
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