The President

by Parker Hudson

  After dinner everyone moved to the living room. The two couples sat on adjoining sofas, and Joe Wood faced them in an antique chair with several pages of notes spread out on the coffee table in front of him. Everyone had a Bible. Joe led with prayer.

  Then he began, “We studied earlier how God established first the family, then the church, and finally government as the three foundations on which every society is built. Of course when you take out one or two of those foundations, the society, like a house, falls. But that’s something we’ll look at in a few weeks, after we get through the basics. For now we want to study the characteristics of a good and proper government, as he has directed in his Word.

  “Turn first to Deuteronomy 17 in which Moses describes how kings, or leaders, are to conduct themselves. Now it’s crucial to remember that Moses wrote this passage four hundred year before the Israelites ever even had a king! The Holy Spirit inspired him to give them specific instructions on a form of government that they would not even consider having for four hundred years. And look at what he told them:

  The king must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself...He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold.

  ORD his God and follow carefully all the words of this law and these decrees and not consider himself better than his brothers and turn from the law to the right or to the left.

  “God is basically saying that a ruler should not increase his own personal wealth, nor take pride in his power, nor become involved in a lot of emotional entanglements. But, and here’s the key point, he should himself study God’s laws so that he hears and follows God’s will.

  “And look what happens to David’s wise son Solomon almost five hundred years later when he disobeys Moses’ directions, in 1 Kings 11:

  He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines.... His heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been... The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD.

  “God takes the throne of Israel from Solomon’s son. So we see that our choices do have the consequences which God has laid down, and also that God acts across generations to fulfill his purposes.”

  Hugh looked up from reading 1 Kings. “This is really interesting. I had no idea the Bible interacted like this across so many years and gave advice which seems to be so relevant today.”

  William nodded. “I guess it’s hard to have God in our hearts when he’s hardly known to our minds. And isn’t it ironic that in our society, so full of all types of communication, there is almost never even the slightest communication about God? Everyone runs and hides at the merest mention of him, for fear of offending someone or of being sued. I mean God, the Creator of the universe, must really appreciate our bravery where he’s concerned!”

  Hugh looked at his older brother. “And you’re doing studies like this several times a week?”

  William nodded. “As you can see, Hugh, it’s an incredible blessing for Carrie and me to have men like Joe and Michael teaching us.”

  “I’ll say. Too bad you aren’t taping it for the rest of us.”

  Jennifer added, “Maybe your teachers could put together a curriculum when you finish and call it “What God has been teaching the president.’”

  William smiled. “From my own reading, Jen, I imagine that just two generations ago your proposal would have seemed completely natural and probably accepted with great interest. But today the media would have a field day. All I’m trying to do is deepen my personal faith and learn what the founders of our nation took for granted: that every president and most citizens would simply always know these truths.”

  Jennifer suddenly turned to her husband. “Hugh, we forgot to tell William and Carrie about that phone call from the network. That White House reporter, Leslie Sloane, wants to interview us next week, before Hugh leaves for the Mediterranean.”

  “That’s right,” Hugh said. “Do you have any idea why she wants to talk with us?”

  William shook his head and smiled. “Leslie is putting together a program about our extended family. She’s already interviewed Rebecca.”

  “If we do the interview next week,” Hugh said, “should we mention your studies with Joe, Michael, and the other Bible scholars?”

  William looked at Carrie and then at Joe. “We’re not hiding this. We just haven’t particularly broadcast it, either. We’ve still got a lot to learn. But I’m not sure the press would understand.”

  Carrie turned to Hugh and Jennifer. “Just speak the truth as the Lord leads you, but don’t go out of your way to mention it. We’re trying to study in peace, and I’m not sure we’d have much peace if the press started following our teachers around. But Ms. Sloane seems very nice. I’m sure you’ll enjoy the experience.”

  “And now, Joe, back to you, if that’s all right,” William said.

  “By all means,” Hugh added. “This is fascinating.”

  “All right, then,” Wood picked up his Bible again. “Let’s look briefly at Isaiah 33:22, and you’ll see where the founders got the concept for the three branches of our government.”

  RALEIGH—The Northside High School Wildcats defeated the South Park Patriots at Friday night’s football game, so the dance afterward in the school gym was a victorious celebration. Matthew Thompson played tight end and caught the winning touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter. Thirty minutes later, after a shower, he was enjoying the dance with Sarah Prescott. Matthew and Sarah had begun dating in the middle of their junior year. Tall and athletically built, Matthew was also a good student. Although he did not attend Sarah’s church, she knew he had gone to church regularly with his parents for most of his life.

  After an hour of yelling to each other over the loud music, Matthew told Sarah at the end of a slow dance, “I’m starved. Let’s go get a pizza.”

  Matthew drove them over to the Pizza Factory in a shopping center near their school, where they shared a medium pizza with everything, locally known as the Kitchen Sink.

  The two major topics for discussion in their class late that September were college applications and the computer. Since Matthew wanted to be an engineer, he was applying to North Carolina State and Georgia Tech. Sarah, who was applying to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with her cousin Katherine, obviously hoped that Matthew would remain nearby.

  As they were finishing their pizza, Matthew said, “You really ought to check out that computer, Sarah. It’s something else.”

  She looked down and blushed slightly. She managed a smile and said, “I heard you sort of liked it.”

  “It’s really, like, unbelievable, to tell you the truth.”

  “Are you really going to take extra afternoon tutoring?” she asked, and they both laughed.

  “No, but seriously, Sarah, you ought to try it when your section has the chance. I think it’ll really get you in touch with your emotions.”

  She looked a little surprised. “I think I’m in pretty good touch with my emotions now, thanks.”

  He shrugged and took a bite from the last slice. “Maybe, but Ms. Bowers is explaining love to us and showing us how to express our feelings.”

  “Ms. Bowers is explaining love? In health class?”

  “Yeah. It’s really good. She’s cool. You’ll see, if you give it a chance.”

  Twenty minutes later they were parked in a dark cul-de-sac near Sarah’s home.

  Because she really liked Matthew, she found it perfectly natural to be alone with him and to share his deep and passionate kisses. After a few minutes, however, it was obvious that he was interested in more than kissing.

  “Matthew, please, stop,” she said, moving his hand.

  “Oh, Sarah, I love you so much,” he whispered, putting his hand on her cheek. “This is so right. So natural. We’re supposed to express our feelings as they come.”

  “Matthew, I like you a lot. Maybe I
even love you. But this isn’t right You know God says to wait.”

  “I’m not thinking too much about God right now,” he said softly against her neck. “Besides, that was written for ancient people. This is today. Look at what we’ve got today that they never dreamed of—look at that awesome computer. Sarah, I’ve learned through that computer that love and sex are good and natural. And I love you so much. Please, let’s share our love together, as God meant two humans to do.”

  “Matthew, don’t make it any harder for me than it already is. I get turned on, too. But”—her voice cracked as she fought back tears—“please don’t push me now. I feel like I’m under so much pressure from everyone about that stupid computer and about sex. And besides, it’s almost twelve-thirty. So please, can we just go?”

  He pulled back, and even in the dim light of the radio, he could see the strained emotions on her face. “Sure, okay, Sarah. I know it’s difficult.” He turned the key in the ignition, then looked at her and smiled, “But you really ought to look at that computer. I think it would really help you.”

  Straightening her skirt and avoiding his look, she whispered, “We’ll see. But now I just want to go home.”

  WASHINGTON—It was mid-Sunday afternoon, and William and Hugh were getting dressed in the same basement locker room where William had given his life to the Lord three months earlier. The two couples had finished the weekend with a doubles tennis match after church, and Hugh and Jennifer would be driving home to Norfolk shortly.

  “Thanks, big brother, for a great weekend. I always try to do something special with Jen right before I leave on one of these deployments, but this trip to D.C. we’ll both always remember. I can’t believe your schedule. Thanks for the time you spent with us.”

  “Hey, you’re defending the country. It’s the least we can do for a sailor.”

  Hugh laughed, then said, “Seriously, thanks for letting us join you and Carrie for your Bible studies. Joe Wood is unbelievable, and Robert Ludwig’s tying together all the events in the Book of Acts on Saturday morning was really interesting. You’re one lucky guy to have teachers like that five or six times a week.”

  “I know, Hugh,” William said, buttoning his shirt. “I often think about why I’m here, and how I got here, and all that’s happened. It sort of blows my mind, to be honest.”

  “So what’s the answer to all that? Has this teaching made a difference? Do you feel any different about anything?”

  “That’s really the great question, Hugh. I’ve got fifty years of one set of tapes playing inside me, programmed by Mom and Dad and college and law school and many years of experience. So far some of it squares with what the Bible says, but some of it doesn’t. I do believe God’s power can change anyone, particularly me. He already has in several ways. But sometimes it’s tough to just throw out what has seemed logical for all that time—and particularly before I understand how it all fits together, which I must admit is starting to happen.”

  “I know. It’s tough to change habits.”

  William nodded. “Particularly where so much is at stake. I’m beginning to see where some of my strongest beliefs may be dead wrong—the worst course for our country. And what’s really helped me, besides the Bible and prayer and these courses, is the writings of the men who founded this country. They seemed to have it right, and I’m trying to figure out exactly what they believed. But if and when I change my beliefs and act on them, I could be affecting millions of people. So I’ve got to be really sure that anything I propose to change is truly God’s will. Because the fallout could be very serious, and I have to know I’m right.”

  “I guess I hadn’t really thought about that. But I see your point. I’m still dealing with your social experiment in the navy, remember. That certainly has affected a lot of people.”

  “That’s one I’ve thought and prayed and studied about a lot. Hugh, I’m still trying to figure out what’s right. I think I know, but before I say anything, even to you, I want to be very certain that I’m right. So stick with the situation for now and try to make the best of it, if you can.”

  Hugh finished tying his shoes and rose from the bench. “I am. It’s all sort of mellowed, I guess. We don’t think about it too much, except on Something Awareness Week. But I have to tell you, William, it just doesn’t feel right, deep inside. There’s this underlying tension—maybe a sexual tension, I don’t know. I mean the homosexuals did great at Gitmo, and the women did, too, though I still worry about some of them having the simple physical strength they may need in a real emergency. But I’m told it’s not politically correct to ask those sorts of basic questions.”

  The two men walked over to the windows and looked out at the beautiful afternoon with a touch of fall in the air. “Anyway,” Hugh continued, “assuming all that’s no problem, there’s still the simple issue that we’re different. Like those tapes inside us you were just talking about. Men, women, homosexuals, lesbians—there’s just this tension on the ship that was never there before. And everyone is afraid of saying something for fear of offending someone else. When did everyone lose their sense of humor, by the way?”

  “So what’s your bottom line opinion on how it’s working out with men and women on a combat ship?” William asked.

  “As far as I can see, women are just as capable as men, except for physical strength, like I said. I think all the services changed their physical standards, especially for upper body strength, when women couldn’t meet the old ones. Some people are asking if the old standards weren’t important, why did we have them?

  “But, again, the women on our ship are fine. Too fine, in some ways. I mean, William, frankly, I’m going to leave Jen on Friday and go spend six months, eighteen hours a day, with a young woman who works for me who’s really attractive.”

  William turned toward his younger brother, real concern on his face, as if his forward-thinking policy was not supposed to cause basic problems like this. “I didn’t know that.”

  “Please don’t say anything to Carrie, or to Jen. It’ll be all right, I think. But it isn’t easy, to be honest. And then you’ve got the lesbians and homosexuals, and everyone’s sort of skittish about what might happen with them after a few months.”

  “You know I still haven’t made up my mind there, but Michael Tate showed me the many passages in the Bible about homosexual behavior, so I guess I’m being spoken to. Then Michael said something I found interesting about homosexuals.”

  “What’s that? I could use some help in that department in the coming months.”

  “He said we have to hate the sin but love the sinner. We should never legislate in favor of immorality, but we also have to remember that all of us are equally sinners before God. Christ told the adulterous woman to sin no more, and he meant it; but he told her accusers that only a sinless person should stone her. Then Michael said something that really struck me: homosexuals are not the enemy—they’re the victims. And that of course led me to the question: who exactly is the enemy, and what is he trying to do to us?”

  “Does Michael mean evil? As in Satan?”

  “I think so. We’re going to study evil and spiritual warfare next week.”

  “So that’s it, gentlemen,” the president concluded at the next morning’s early breakfast meeting in the Cabinet Room. “Have we accurately summarized your concerns with our programs?”

  Warner Watts and Bill Phillips, the congressional leaders of the opposition party, exchanged glances, uncertain of what to say. The others around the table, Patricia Barton-North, Jerry Richardson, Ted Braxton, and Robert Valdez, waited with the president. Finally Senator Watts responded tentatively, “We’ll of course have to study the whole presentation in more detail, but it does seem to capture the main points of our differences pretty accurately.”

  “Will you join me, then, to explain that to the American people?” the president asked for a second time.

  “You mean the two of us, together, in prime-time television, presenting our
different programs?” Watts asked.

  “Yes. As quietly and as calmly as we can. You, of course, can make your own presentation package, and we’ll work together beforehand to create a clear explanation of the differences, the costs, and the benefits. I won’t attack you or your party personally, and I’d hope you’d do the same. The idea is to give our people a clear understanding of the choices and the trade-offs involved and then let them decide, either by communicating with us or, ultimately, by electing representatives who are clearly for one course or the other.”

  “Those are pretty high stakes,” Phillips interjected, coming to the aid of his colleague.

  “What do you mean?” William asked.

  “Well, frankly, I’m not sure it’ll work in the first place. I don’t know if the average American can understand all of this, no matter how simple you make it. And I don’t see how it can really be impartial—one side will inevitably be favored. And you’re asking people to vote for a program by electing representatives who agree with them. That’s putting all our jobs on the line for a domestic package. I’m not sure I’m prepared to do that. The side that loses will lose a lot of experienced faces on the Hill.”

  The words that Joe Wood had read from Deuteronomy flashed into William’s mind: and not consider himself better than his brothers. “Let me see if I understand. Our programs are too complex to explain to the American people, who probably wouldn’t understand, anyway, like we do.” His pointed words were in sharp contrast to his quiet appearance. “And if they did understand, our own job security is more important than this legislation. Warner, is that what Bill just said?”

  Senator Watts looked down at his hands on the table and then back at the president. “I think your wording is a little extreme, Mr. President, but that’s close, and I think he’s right. How can we be sure this approach will work? It might backfire and cause a disaster.”