We all have heroes. My childhood hero was Captain James T. Kirk, commander of the Starship Enterprise. Captain Kirk led the crew of the Enterprise on weekly treks to “explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before!” But that’s science fiction. I have other heroes, real men and women who acted heroically in the face of great danger. Jesus Christ is the first to come to mind. But there are others: Athanasius, George Washington, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, and Martin Luther King, Jr. As a child, one of my favorite biblical heroes was Samson. What makes a hero?
An article in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (2015)1 offers twelve characteristics of heroism: bravery, conviction, courage, determination, helpfulness, honesty, inspirational, moral integrity, protective, self-sacrificing, selfless, and strength. Heroes are transformational leaders, men and women who can identify needed change, offer a new vision, inspire others to embrace the new vision, and execute lasting change that leads to the flourishing of an organization or community. Transformational leaders are responsible for establishing trust so that power can flow through the people and produce positive growth. A transformational leader uses power to communicate with people, to inspire people, and to resolve differences among people. The sum total of leadership is not the goal, not the results. Heroic leadership that is transformational must include a process of integrity. In other words, character matters.
Heroic leadership without moral integrity will fail spectacularly. This is toxic leadership. Toxic leaders are “those individuals, who by dint of their destructive behaviors and dysfunctional personal qualities generate a serious and enduring poisonous effect… Intentionally toxic leaders deliberately harm others or enhance themselves at others’ expense, while unintentionally toxic leaders nonetheless cause serious harm by careless or reckless behavior, as well as by their incompetence.” Toxic leaders cultivate an image of success. They sell a grand illusion to their followers that assuages fears, dulls pain, and affirms destiny. The grand illusion becomes the basis of morality. However, the toxic system cannot be maintained. The fall of the toxic leader and collapse of the grand illusion will have devastating psychological and spiritual consequences upon everyone involved.2
Samson was a toxic heroic leader who failed spectacularly. Samson was dedicated as “a Nazirite to God from the womb” (Judges 13:5). As a Nazirite, he was to “dedicate himself to the Lord, abstain from wine and strong drink… [and] let the locks of hair on his head grow long” (Numbers 6:2-5). Furthermore, “the Spirit of the Lord came upon him mightily” (Judges 14:6, 19). Samson was charismatic and cunning, he had great physical strength, took bold risks, and was a victorious warrior. He was everything humans admire in a leader. But he lacked the strength of moral character and the Lord departed from him (Judges 16:20). His inability to see his own foolish ways led to his capture and (ironically) being blinded by his enemies (Judges 16:21). Samson had serious “destructive behaviors and dysfunctional personal qualities” which compromised his integrity and ultimately led to his destruction. Lee Roy Martin offers a sad epitaph: “Samson is the final judge, and although he is called by God and set apart as a Nazirite from birth, he pursues prostitutes, gives free reign to his anger, fails to deliver Israel, and is the only judge who was captured by the enemy” (emphasis added).3 Don’t miss the point – that which humans often admire is rejected by God.
Now, let me get to the issue at hand. When Donald Trump announced his run for the presidency, I warned of his toxic and destructive behaviors. I was not being prophetic, just observant. I did not vote for him in 2016, nor did I vote for his opponent. Even though I favored some of his policies, I could not respect his leadership. Nor, could I understand the uncritical embrace, even idolization, of Trump by so many of my family, friends, and colleagues. Character matters! In full disclosure, I reluctantly voted for Trump in the recent election because I view his opponents as even more toxic. I now regret that vote. Trump has spread the seeds of conspiracy, distrust, and toxicity throughout our country. In refusing to acknowledge his toxicity and call him to account, too many Christians have been complicit. With the riotous attack on the Capitol, the house of Trump has collapsed and only time will tell of the long-term effects.
So, where do we go from here? We must ask ourselves, “Why could we not see?” We must refocus on the mission of God. Just before his ascension, Jesus was asked, “Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). He responded, “you shall be My witnesses … to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Let me be clear – the mission of God is not about building human kingdoms – Israel or the USA. The mission of God is about proclaiming Jesus as King and living out the righteousness and justice of God’s kingdom in this present corrupt age as we await New Creation. (See Church and Civil Government).
We are living in an age of increasingly toxic politics in which both political parties share complicity. I fear the next four years will be as contentious as the last four. We need transformational leaders who will act heroically. Character matters, justice matters, righteousness matters. Let’s work to build trust and integrity in our churches, communities, and nation.
1 Kinsella, E. L., Ritchie, T. D., & Igou, E. R. (2015). “Zeroing in on heroes: A prototype analysis of hero features.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 108 (1), 114–127.
2 Jean Lipman-Blumen, “Toxic Leadership: When Grand Illusions Masquerade as Noble Visions.” Leader to Leader (Spring 2005), 1.
3 Lee Roy Martin, Judging the Judges: Pentecostal Theological Perspectives on the Book of Judges (CPT Press, 2018), 20.
