I wonder if American Christians really take seriously God’s admonition that we pray for those who are in authority over us in this land. I wonder further if American Christians take seriously the many biblical admonitions and patterns that we take God-appointed opportunities to speak the truth to our leaders and exhort them unto righteousness. Every once in a while, we see an example of just this — case in point: Tom Parker in the chamber of United States Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
With the deepest of respect, and the most humble spirit of honor and deference, Justice Parker spoke candidly and passionately of our duty to Jesus Christ, our supreme law-giver, and of his prayer that God would restore the righteousness of the land. Friends of Tom Parker spoke boldly and passionately with Justice Thomas about the Supreme Court’s role in the murder of the unborn, in what I suspect was a most singular conversation for the Supreme Court Justice.
Dad, my brother Samuel and I enjoyed a hearty discussion with Justice Thomas on the meaning of the Establishment Clause and discussed books on the First Amendment.
Bob Renaud, a correspondent law student at the Oak Brook School of Law and Public Policy, was privileged to dialogue with the Supreme Court Justice who generously shared about an hour and a half of his time with us.
Though we do not currently share the same fundamental perspective on law (Thomas holds to a modified libertarian/natural law perspective), we were delighted by the humility of Justice Thomas, and we pray and are hopeful that God will strengthen him and equip him to take truthful, uncompromising stands that render judgments faithful to the Document and consistent with the transcendent law of God.