Download In the World for January 14 here.
FIRE AND FURY
Discussion of Michael Wolff’s book, Fire and Fury, dominated the news this week. The book is aptly named. It generated a fury from within the Trump White House, including a legal move to prevent the book’s release. It fanned the flames of criticism from Trump opponents. Some of those foes even argued that the book provided evidence that President Trump should be removed from office due to inability to perform his duties. Furthermore, the truth of Wolff’s work itself was called into question. The “talking heads” on the news media and the chatterers on the social media argued all week about the authenticity of the book’s claims.
FIRE, BUT NO FURY
King Nebuchadnezzar was furious over the defiance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. He wanted to do more than remove them from their government jobs. He ordered them to be thrown into a fire so hot that it consumed the soldiers who placed them there! But when the fire did not destroy his enemies, the fury of Nebuchadnezzar abated. For a time at least, the king’s hostility toward these three Hebrews and all that they stood for cooled.
- Do you think any of the very personal attacks against the president are directed against the policies he is seeking to implement? Explain.
- Can you recall times when disagreements about values and policies have degenerated into ugly name-calling? What do you believe are some appropriate responses when that happens?
- The White House responded to Wolff’s book with further name-calling and threats of legal action. Compare that response to the way Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego responded to Nebuchadnezzar.
- Part of the appeal of President Trump for many is his willingness to fight fire with fire. Imagine yourself being a political strategist. Craft some advice for responding to politically motivated attacks by referring to this famous Bible account.
—Charles R. Boatman
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