In the introduction to my book, The Long Way Around: Stories and Sermons from a Life’s Journey, I wrote about meeting my future wife, Ellen: “While I don’t generally believe that God micromanages our lives, I make an exception in this one case. I thank God each day for bringing me to Ann Arbor and leading me to an apartment around the corner from the house Ellen had bought a year before.”

         Do I really believe this? Maybe I do and maybe I don’t. But all that I know is that my life changed when I came to Ann Arbor and met Ellen and the fact that we lived so close to each other made it easier for us to spend time together and that eventually led to a wonderful married life. Why not give God some credit? 

         Despite the obvious and multiple theological dilemmas that such a perspective brings, those of us who believe in God are likely to say at some point in our lives: “This was God’s doing”. When recovering from a terrible illness, avoiding an automobile accident at the last moment or even, perhaps, winning the lottery, people will credit God with saving them or drastically improving their lives. It might be inconsistent with what we usually believe but we say it nonetheless.

         So, I don’t have any problem with former President Donald Trump saying that God saved him from being killed by a would-be assassin’s bullet. I have never been in such a situation but, if, God forbid, I were, I might very well react the same way. He is entitled to say it and he should not be criticized for believing it. 

         Yes, there are the many theological dilemmas this perspective presents. Among the questions that arise are: Where was God’s hand to prevent Corey Comperatore from losing his life while protecting his family? And, can we legitimately practice what Rabbi Harold Kushner, zichrono livracha, called “Theological Gerrymandering” thanking God for the good in our lives but avoiding blaming God for the bad?”

         These and other dilemmas arise from the idea that: “God saved me” but we are entitled to be inconsistent with our theology if it helps us get through life. I learned a long time ago as a rabbi, not to get into a theological discussion with someone who is crediting God with bringing them a blessing. 

         But there is one deep concern which I can’t let go of when I hear the former president say what he said. 

         It is horribly dangerous when a person looks at an experience as proving God’s hand in their life and then reasons that God did this because they were deserving and that God, by this act of salvation, is signifying divine approval of their past actions and future plans. This transforms a personal theological position which could be life-enhancing and turns it into a self-aggrandizing sense of being chosen by God to pursue a particular path. 

  Whether or not the former President Trump feels this way is unclear although some of his statements seem to move in that direction. But it is absolutely clear that many of his supporters, including well known public figures, have taken that step and have publicly proclaimed that this proves that he is God’s chosen to lead this nation. 

That is so deeply disturbing and dangerous. We are electing a president, not a Messiah. Even before the assassination attempt, there were those felt that the former president was in some way chosen by God. That he survived the terrible event which took place last Saturday evening is now fuel for those who are anointing him as more than just a human being and this scares me and ought to scare all of us, regardless of political affiliation.

We are all entitled to our theology and to believe what brings our life meaning. But, regarding this particular theological perspective, it is too easy to make the leap from “God saved my life” to viewing ourselves or allowing others to view us as deserving of such special divine treatment. That is a very dangerous leap of faith.