For those not familiar with these passages, I would like to share them and then ask a question in relation to our last few Presidents. There will be no right answer to this question as we are all spectators of observation when it comes to our Presidents. We can only know their personal persona as provided by what they say or write, what the media reports and the policies that they put into place. We may have to guess, speculate or wait until they leave office to know what an individual is truly like.
The scripture that I am asking about in relation to our past Presidents reads as follows:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking, and envying each other.
A couple of weeks ago, I finished a book entitled, "Team of Five, The Presidents Club in the Age of Trump. The book was very interesting and took a look at the Presidents that were alive when Trump became President (Jimmy Carter, the late George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama). These men arguably are members of the most elite fraternity in the world with each having assumed the responsibilities of the Presidency and moved on into private life.
The author, Kate Andersen Brower, looks into the different relationships the Presidents have with one another (some very surprising) and how they have lived their post-Presidential lives. It speculates if and how Donald Trump might fit into this "Team" as he has been most critical of all the surviving Presidents. Interviewed for the book, Trump himself states that he does not see himself being a member of the team.
A very interesting section of the book comes from those who worked in the White House residence and what it was like to work for the different Presidents and First Ladies.
The following is my task for you: Based on what you know about Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama and Donald Trump, give them a pass or fail grade on the following character traits: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.
Give one point for a pass and zero for a fail and total the score. It will be interesting to see how each President rates on the "Fruit of the Spirit" scale. Feel free to share you opinion/score with me. This should be interesting.
