Being the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives puts you into the credibility circle. This important role, as with any political leader, gives rise to all sorts of questions exceeding the focus of the job at hand. Often, such questions come with an agenda.

Such was the case recently when Speaker Mike Johnson was approached by a reporter asking if the election of Joe Biden was God’s will. The inquiry was made since Speaker Johnson has been open, and even vocal, about his faith in God as a follower of Jesus. Is this question material to the job or even necessary? No.

Instead, it’s like the game played by the scribes, Pharisees, and lawyers in Jesus’ day. Their questions were not a pursuit of truth, but with intent to try and trip up Jesus that they might accuse Him for crimes that could lead to death. Not truly understanding who Jesus really was, they thought they could outsmart Him. They were wrong.

The modern day questioners with false interests are reporters. They take pride in putting a person on the spot where weakness might be shown. They can even smile when their devious purpose is achieved and the critics come howling out of the den. It’s even better when they cause division within the family.

This happened to Speaker Johnson at a weekly news conference at the Capitol. In Q&A, a reporter asks Speaker Johnson if he believes that President Biden’s 2020 election was “God’s will.”

The Speaker’s response was on target, noting

“The Bible says that God is the one that raises up people and authority. I believe God is sovereign—by the way, so did the founders. They acknowledge that our rights don’t come from government, they come from God, and we’re made in His image, everybody’s made the same. We all are given equal rights and value and that’s something that we defend. So if you believe all those things, then you believe that God is the one that allows people to be raised in authority. It must’ve been God’s will then, that’s my belief.”

What he said is true. The question, however, was not meant to provide us with insight on God’s will. There are a number of outstanding resources to explore this subject deeply. No, this question was intended to light a match of controversy.

If it was NOT God’s will, God must really not be in control. If it WAS God’s will that Biden should be president, then should not all of us celebrate and be supportive?

Instead, Speaker Johnson would have been wiser to direct the questioner to read up on God’s will. Speak to a theologian, not a political leader. We need strong leaders in government who focus on the job at hand.

I am not a theologian. But I know plenty. And one whom I’ve respected over the years is the late Dr. R.C. Sproul. In his comments on the distinction between the sovereign will of God and the permissive will, he writes:

“What is usually meant by divine permission is that God simply lets it happen. That is, He does not directly intervene to prevent its happening…This view makes man sovereign, not God. God is reduced to the role of spectator or cheerleader, by which God’s exercise in providence is that of a helpless Father who, having done all He can do, must now sit back and simply hope for the best. He permits what He cannot help but permit because He has no sovereign power over it.” Sproul calls this, “unvarnished atheism.”

The correct view of God’s will shows us that He permits our choices to bear fruit. The people of Israel made a bad choice when they opted for an earthly king and rejected God’s sovereign role and rule. So they wound up with Saul. It didn’t end well.

The people of America have the privilege of choosing their elected officials. In Illinois, the people have placed in power a governor and legislature that align primarily with one political viewpoint. Yes, God is sovereign. But that doesn’t mean that voters made the best decision. We must be careful not to put God’s endorsement on any political party led by flawed souls.

Meditate on this.

“Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1-2 (NIV)

Let’s not confuse God’s permitted will with His sovereign will. One day, His true kingdom will reign. His Perfect will shall be done. And no more foolish questions.