Speaking Truth to Power

A few days ago, President Biden referred to Mr. Putin as a war criminal when speaking about the destruction, loss of life and the relentless attack on innocent civilian targets incurred in Ukraine like the children’s hospital pictured above. The immediate response from some was to criticize our President as talking recklessly in a highly sensitive political situation and risking escalating world war. It was considered by some to be another one of those occasions when President Biden goes “off script” and says something that is misunderstood often demanding a retraction or correction of some sort. In this instance, the President was assumed to be implying a change in U.S. foreign policy and advocating regime change which the administration staff immediately insisted that is not what the President was trying to say. I was pleased to hear within a short time after the event some speaking in defense of our President saying that he was admitting what is in everyone’s heart and that is Mr. Putin’s actions are criminal. I was again pleased to hear the President say a few days later that he wasn’t talking about regime change but the man (Mr. Putin) was no longer fit to run his country because his actions are criminal. What President Biden was doing was speaking truth to power, which is something I imagine Mr. Putin is not accustomed to hearing. President Biden has clearly stated he is a man of faith. A faith that is similar to many Americans and different from others, but a man of faith. For anyone to speak truth to power requires a boldness that emanates from a heart of faith.

It is a tradition of our faith to speak the truth boldly sometimes regardless of the circumstances and in some cases not received well. The account of Joseph speaking to power by boldly refusing the advances of his boss’s wife resulted in a jail sentence. (Genesis 39:20) David’s behavior in speech and action were impeccable to King Saul only resulting in being chased by him for many years (1 Samuel 19:18). Elijah ran for his life from Queen Jezebel because of his stand of faith (1 Kings 19:3). This boldness of speech is also a function of our faith. “Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech” (2 Corinthians 3:12) refers to the Apostle Paul’s boldness in proclaiming the truth of the faith as had been revealed to him. Paul asks for prayer from the faithful in Ephesus “that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am ambassador in chains” (Ephesians 6:19,20).

These are perilous times in our world. I am so happy to have a President that is a man of faith. I cringe when I hear the criticism of him that is so easily voiced. Criticism of his methods, his manner and in some instances in his faith. We need a president like President Biden for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14) speaking truth to power.