OPINION:
The scene was nothing short of extraordinary: a newly minted House speaker fresh off the heels of a historic, highly emotive debacle publicly honoring God and delivering a mini-sermon of sorts to his fellow lawmakers.
House Speaker Mike Johnson wasted no time in letting his peers — and the public — know exactly where he stands on faith, politics and his God-given responsibilities.
After securing the gavel at the conclusion of one of U.S. history’s most bizarre and heated political impasses, the Louisiana Republican stood last week before the House and held little back.
“I believe that scripture — the Bible — is very clear that God is the one that raises up those in authority,” he said. “He raised up each of you, all of us, and I believe that God has ordained and allowed each one of us to be brought here for this specific moment in this time.”
Mr. Johnson wasn’t done there, expressing his belief that he and his peers have a “huge responsibility” to “use the gifts that God has given us to serve the extraordinary people of this great country and they deserve it and to ensure that our republic remains standing as the great beacon of light and hope and freedom in a world that desperately needs it.”
Such proclamations aren’t often heard on a major political stage, and yet there was Mr. Johnson, unabashedly pointing others toward the truth. He has since expressed similar sentiments, cementing and further clarifying his biblical perspective.
Mr. Johnson recently told Fox News’ Sean Hannity if people want to know what he believes about “any issue under the sun” they can go “pick up a Bible” and they’ll find his “worldview” — something for which he makes “no apologies.”
These proclamations — and Mr. Johnson’s bold discussion of his faith — have naturally fueled a litany of media stories about his past comments and views on same-sex marriage, abortion, and other issues. Some of this coverage exposes the disconnect between the media elite and the general public, particularly adherent Christians, but that’s to be expected.
Regardless of the commentary surrounding Mr. Johnson, the new House speaker is very likely exactly what America needs for such a time as this. Here’s why:
• Mr. Johnson’s boldness is evident. In an era dominated by cancel culture fears and worries about blowback, Mr. Johnson appears unwavering in his beliefs and convictions, using his first public moments to openly praise God and encourage his fellow lawmakers to see their roles as being rooted in something much bigger than themselves.
All eyes have understandably been on Mr. Johnson following the historic removal of former Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The new speaker could have treaded lightly or aimed to please everyone. Instead, he stood by his laurels and offered an example of boldness and truth on a national and international stage. In an era of kowtowing and fear, his expression of faith — especially in a culture detaching from the eternal — is inspiring.
• Mr. Johnson offers the perfect counterbalance to a culture descending into a moral abyss. At a time when moral relativism rages and the “god of the self” dominates culture, Mr. Johnson is calling people to something more profound: the Almighty.
As society sells the lie that the self should be the epicenter of worldview, the House speaker told his fellow lawmakers something else — that God chose them and that they have a responsibility to honor that calling.
With that in mind, Mr. Johnson made it clear he sees Scripture and God’s commands as the center of his belief system, setting emotions, whims and the wants of the self to the side. This worldview is the precise antidote to societal lostness and many of our self-inflicted heartaches — and few politicians have so openly declared it with such precision and confidence.
• Mr. Johnson immediately separated politics from the person. At a time when political affiliation has become sacrosanct, with anger, division and even familial strife running rampant, the new House speaker immediately took a divergent tone.
In fact, he told Mr. Hannity about a recent meeting with President Biden, noting the discussion was “cordial and pleasant.” Mr. Johnson carefully separated Mr. Biden’s policies from his person, something we rarely see in today’s fractured culture.
“I have no problem with President Biden as an individual,” Mr. Johnson said. “You respect the office; it’s a biblical admonition that you give honor where honor is due, and that’s the respect you have for the office. But he and I agree on almost no policy.”
Though simple, this timeless truth about disagreeing in grace has been lost over time, with many Americans fusing the person to their politics to such a degree that navigating differences has ranged from difficult to calamitous.
No politician or person is perfect, but that’s exactly what Mr. Johnson acknowledges by placing his reliance on God and expressing kindness toward those with whom he disagrees.
It remains to be seen whether any of this will translate into policy success or whether Mr. Johnson’s actions will coincide with his words. But, for the moment, his faith and devotion offer a breath of fresh air in a culture desperately searching for the very truth he claims to hold dear.
• Billy Hallowell is a digital TV host and interviewer for Faithwire and CBN News and the co-host of CBN’s “Quick Start Podcast.” Mr. Hallowell is the author of four books.
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