Looking at how leaders respond to criticism and opponents

If you read last week’s article, then you may have noticed my error. I was confusing King Herod (Antipas) and Herod the Great. I was identifying the former as having issued an “executive order” to murder all the children under the age of two. However, it was the latter who issued the order. The former ordered the execution of John the Baptist. I apologize for my mistake. Anyone familiar with the work of Sigmund Freud may find my “slip of the pen” revealing in that I mistook the son for the father!

Let’s consider how King Herod handled John the Baptist’s criticism and what this communicates about his leadership style. John the Baptist publicly informed Herod that it was unlawful for him to marry his brother’s wife. John’s criticism was valid under Jewish law.

While Herod feared John the Baptist because he believed him to be a holy man, he nonetheless ordered his arrest and subsequent execution. As a ruler, he had taken the position that such criticism, even when true, would not be tolerated.

How has Donald Trump handled some of his opponents and critics? According to the organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, Donald Trump’s posts on Truth Social between January 2023 and April 2024 issued direct and indirect threats to his political opponents. With Joe Biden, for instance, he “threatened him with FBI raids, investigations, indictments, and even jail time.”

During the 2024 presidential campaign, moreover, he made more than 100 threats concerning the prosecution, punishment, investigation and imprisonment of his opponents.

He has also indicated that journalists who refuse to publicize their sources for leaked information would face imprisonment. His rhetoric is often aggressive, promotes the use of government agencies for retribution and has authoritarian leanings.

How did Jesus handle his opponents and enemies? Judas Iscariot was an apostle actively involved in Jesus’ ministry. But he is forever known as the one who betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.

The gospels show that Jesus had foreknowledge of Judas’ betrayal but still gave him opportunities to change his ways and did not call him out in front of the other apostles. He exhibited patience. Scripture also shows that Jesus confronted and rebuked people.

He sometimes used strong language, for example, towards religious leaders like the Pharisees and Sadducees, calling them “hypocrites,” “snakes” and “brood of vipers.” He believed they were not using their positions in a just manner and being a man of truth required that he speak out against the injustice.

I believe that one of the most challenging aspects of Jesus’ teaching involves asking his followers to love their enemies.

This means caring about their well-being and presenting kindness even if they are mistreating you. This can aid in rupturing a cycle of hate and violence.

Loving the enemy is not about a feeling or passive submission, but about making concrete choices to forgive instead of seeking retribution.

Do you know of any leaders like this? How do you handle your opponents?