on Trump & North Korea

I’ve been covering the events of the escalating international crisis between North Korea’s Kim-Jong Un and the U.S.’s President Donald Trump (with the countries of South Korea, Japan, China, and Russia waiting in the wings). So much happened last week that I couldn’t possibly fit it into the Weekly Update, and a separate post gives me a thought to air some of my thoughts.

In lieu of the United States’ show of force north of the 38^th Parallel last week, along with Trump’s overt threats to “destroy North Korea” at his first United Nations assembly, Kim Jong Un has taken the show of force to be no less than a “declaration of war” between him and Trump’s global empire. North Korea claimed it now had the right to shoot down any foreign planes by which it felt threatened. The rogue regime has been strengthening its defenses and threatening an EMP (electromagnetic pulse) attack on the U.S., which would be far more crippling that a nuclear strike; an EMP attack could cripple our economy and throw us back to the 18^th century for a hot minute. On Tuesday North Korea moved Mig-29s and equipment to one of its eastern bases, a move to increase military readiness, and Trump threatened a “devastating” military response if Jong Un doesn’t back down. Russia also deployed extra troops to its border with North Korea (remember: if war breaks out, Russia and China, by virtue of network of alliances, will be drawn into the conflict against us, South Korea, and Japan). On Wednesday reports came out that 216,000 North Koreans have enlisted in their army, provoked by Trump’s escalating “war of words.” A poll last week put disapproval of military intervention in North Korea at 2/3, but a poll Wednesday put support for such intervention at 50%. On Saturday the Secretary of State reported that North Korea and the United States were finally in direct talks, hoping to find a diplomatic solution to the tensions. Then Trump came out and declared that the Secretary of State would fail in his attempt at diplomacy, stating that diplomacy “won’t work” to deter North Korea and bring “little Rocket Man” to heel. Now the world can’t believe our assurances that we’re seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis.

Now, here’s my take on the crisis (though I’m no political scholar): Trump is bristling with ego and acting like a bully on the playground who wants to prove himself. We already know he’s secure: his childish insults, his infuriation at being named as a man with “small hands,” and his general treatment of those who don’t believe he’s God’s gift to the United States make that clear. I don’t think he’s just trying to prove himself capable of being President; I think he’s trying to prove himself to himself. And in this vein he wants war. He mocks diplomacy, says the country of North Korea must be destroyed, and he’s constantly trying to one-up Kim Jong Un. He’s been steadily building public support for the war. He wants war to prove his presidency, to pave the way for a second term, and he wants to prove to himself that he can be “the best president ever.” His vocal hardliners aren’t shy about their opinion of jim, justifying his inexcusable—not to mention impeachable—actions.

Trump’s biggest concern isn’t us.

It’s himself.

He doesn’t care so much about being a good president.

He cares about being seen as the BEST president.

It’s all about his ego. It’s all about his pride.

(And not the kind your mother has)

(It’s the kind that makes you bad)

And we know what the Bible says about bad pride.

I just hope and pray that he repents, so the Lord will show us mercy.

I’m of the opinion that the United States is ripe for judgment. I see it in my own heart. We’ve promoted and justified and praised the bloody dismemberment of children so that we aren’t “burdened” by our own flesh-and-blood. Our morals have all gone backward. We praised that which is evil, and we demonize that which is good. We don’t just approve of sin; we honor those who embrace their dehumanization. We don’t just deny the reality of sin; we celebrate it in the marrow of our bones and wear our fallenness as badges of honor. Our communities love sin. Our society loves sin. Our government loves sin. We, as a society, mock God and shame His name.

And what about the church?

We have sinned by retreating.

  We’ve built our fences too high, or we’ve failed to be missional.

  We’ve become private clubs, and inside is nothing but rot.

  Jealousy, envy, and covetousness.

  Pride, gluttony, and bitterness.

  Fornication, adultery, and sodomy.

  Slander, gossip, and anger.

  We have been deceived by the devil.

  We are no less in judgment than our depraved culture!

  Our sins are just less pretensions.

  Our sins are just more… normal.

Or we have sinned by “going with the flow.”

  We’ve accepted our culture’s standards.

  We don’t want to turn people off.

  We want to preach the gospel.

  And if the gospel doesn’t work, we pitch it.

“But not our church! We’re not like that!”

(Remember: exceptions often prove the rule)

Let us also remember: judgment begins at the house of God.

We are neither hot nor cold.

And we know what God thinks of that.

We have forgotten our first love.

We haven’t taken the gospel seriously.

Divine judgments fall upon societies, and we who are Christian, even if we love God and seek Him, are part of our society. The rain falls on the good and the bad, and so does God’s judgments on corrupt governments and cultures. But I believe God will see His people through it. They will be known and vindicated, either in this life or the next. Whatever happens, we who are faithful will reign with Christ.