All the way back in 1959, 40-year-old Pete Seeger wrote one of his more famous songs. It was first recorded by a group known as the Limelighters and later by Pete himself. However, the song finally became a hit when the folk-rock group called The Byrds turned it into a number-one hit on the charts. Their rendition differed from the original title of the song in that it bore the simple moniker of “Turn, Turn, Turn.” The original Seeger version took its title “To Everything There is a Season” from its origins found surprisingly enough in the Old Testament Book of Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. In fact, most of Seeger’s song is a direct quotation from the Bible. The haunting melody reminds us that there is a time and a place for everything under heaven.
One of the verses from the Bible that failed to make it into the song simply states, “. . . a time to keep silence, and a time to speak.” That line of Scripture reminds me of a bit of advice given to me as a young judge by a sage old, retired jurist about speaking in public. His words still ring true all these years later as he gently reminded me, “Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence.” Unfortunately, there are just some folks who cannot resist speaking into a microphone simply because it happens to be in front of their face. Never mind that they have little to say given the circumstances, but they just seemed to be enthralled with the sound of their own voice, and as my dad used to tell me, “Let their motorcycle mouths get their tricycle brains in trouble.” I know from experience; it has happened to me more than I care to remember, and I have lived to regret every single time it has occurred.
No better example of this human phenomenon can be found than that which took place at the Presidential Prayer Breakfast the day after President Trump’s inauguration. What should have been a solemn occasion filled with fervent prayers to the Almighty for our nation and our leaders took an ugly turn when Mariann Edgar Budde, supposedly an Episcopalian bishop, took her appointed time not to enter into earnest prayer and supplication, but to politically backstab Mr. Trump who obviously held differing political views than Ms. Budde. Quite frankly, it was demeaning toward Mr. Trump, which perhaps was the intended result. At the same time, Ms. Budde also demeaned herself, her denomination, the sacred cathedral in which she stood, and most importantly Jesus Christ. These sorts of pagan incantations have seemingly become the norm at the National Cathedral even to the point of total deviation from its original and intended purpose in its so-called social justice apostasy. Mr. Trump, in his own inimitable fashion, demanded an apology and further noted that the service was “boring.”
Regardless of her viewpoint and even regardless of whether her statements were correct or incorrect, it just was not the time nor the place for such a tirade. Quite honestly, her voice sounded much more like a petulant child who had not gotten her way than someone who was seeking to stand before God on behalf of His people. The old adage that it is better to be quiet and let people think you are foolish than to speak up and remove all doubt might be one that Ms. Budde should take to heart. In reality, an apology is due to the President and the whole country. I also hope that in her heart, Ms. Budde will find the time to confess her sin before the throne of Almighty God who offers redemption through the precious blood shed by His only Son, Jesus Christ. Humility is a hard thing, Ms. Budde, but it is necessary to approach a Holy God.
In keeping with a reading of the appropriateness of opportune remarks, it might be a worthy comparison to consider the prayer offered by Pastor Lorenzo Sewell at the actual inauguration of Mr. Trump on Monday. Just as Ms. Budde’s remarks have rightfully brought disdain upon her, her denomination and even her causes that she apparently so fervently believes in, Pastor Sewell became an overnight sensation. He received appropriate accolades not only because of the quality of his oratory but for the timeliness of his words as well. Drawing to a great extent from Dr. King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech, Rev. Sewell reminded us of our obligations as a nation to provide freedom and opportunity to each and every one of our citizens. But he also eloquently invoked the providence of God over our nation and its leaders, and in particular, Mr. Trump. I have never met the man, but if I am ever in Detroit on a Sunday morning, it might just be worth a trip to his church. My guess is that it would be a pilgrimage well worth the time to spend in worship with him and his flock. One thing is for sure, it would not be boring!
At Southern Evangelical Seminary, we recognize the importance of praying earnestly for our nation, the President, and all of our leaders. Not only that, but we consider it to be a requirement of Scripture for us to do so. Even in the face of an onslaught of persecution from Mr. Biden and his administration toward Christianity as a whole and SES by implication, we continue to earnestly pray for him and those around him. If we as Christians seek to criticize our leaders, it is incumbent upon us to pray for them first and to bring our issues to the forefront in a disciplined, civil, and yes, even a timely fashion.
In the 12th chapter of John’s Gospel, the story is recounted of a group of Greeks who reached out to Philip. Their plaintiff's cry in verse 21 was simply “Sir, we would see Jesus.” The inhabitants of our nation are yearning for the very same thing today. Their call these days is just too urgent for us to be vocal spectators standing on the sidelines of life with mere pettiness leaking from our lips. Now is the time for Christ’s church in America to speak the truth by taking up the banner of proclaiming the Gospel of the God who loves each of us so much that He gave His only Son for our redemption. Neither the “fainthearted nor the fanatic are needed.” But rather let us as followers of Christ rise up to meet the swelling tide of those seeking to know and learn the truth. I sense the very Spirit of God moving through our nation. We simply cannot miss this opportunity, for there may never be another. If there is no revival in America now, then when? And if we do not lead, then who?
After a successful career as a lawyer and judge, Judge Phil Ginn retired as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge for the 24th Judicial District in North Carolina. Throughout his 22-year judicial career, he had the privilege of holding court in almost 50% of the county seats in North Carolina. Currently, Judge Ginn serves as the president of Southern Evangelical Seminary (ses.edu) and is a regular contributor to Christianity.com and The Washington Times. Judge Ginn has also been featured on Fox News, CBN, Newsmax, Decision Magazine, The Christian Post, Townhall and many others.
