WORD OF THE WEEK
THE year 2021 saw two leaders of the Western World leave the offices of power. In January 2021 President Donald Trump, apparently reluctantly, ceded power having lost the previous United States election, and in December Angela Merkel ceased to be the chancellor of Germany.
They seemingly have much in common, both major world leaders of the developed Free world.
However the way they have governed has been summarised very differently. It is suggested that Chancellor
Merkel has ruled by spreadsheet, and President Trump by Twitter.
Chancellor Merkel’s academic background was a doctorate in quantum chemistry, and her early work as a research chemistry gave her a familiarity with considered statistical analysis.
President Trump began in real estate and built a property development enterprise, (including licensing his own name as a brand), priding himself on the power of his immediate knee jerk judgment.
It is said that Chancellor Merkel was often carefully correct in her judgment, but uninspiring and boring, and President Trump sometimes instantly unwise but exciting and popular.
The two approaches may reflect on us whoever we are, though we might choose to be in neither category.
And as with all summary statements, such as this contrast of spreadsheet and Twitter, the truth probably lies between them, or has been sometimes more right, and sometimes less marked.
For Christian people of faith the spreadsheet of creation, the spreadsheet of holy writing, and the smaller though very significant spreadsheet of our own experience may lead us to a personal decision. For others, if not actually Twitter as a medium, the spoken words we used communicate what we believe, and will be of paramount importance.
Looking back at Christmas, we have largely adopted the spreadsheet of the history of a baby born in the manger, but we have also declared with our lips familiar carols and well remembered narratives.