A Tale of Two Philosophies: Might is Right vs. The Way of Jesus
Imagine a political leader who is cunning, ambitious, ruthless, deceptive, bitter, manipulative, amoral, self-aware, paranoid, cynical, relentless, and greedy—a man whose drive for power knows no bounds and whose charm masks a heart devoid of scruples. He wants desperately to rule the land and receive the acclaim accorded rulers, basking in the glory of power. He can turn on the charm at a moment's notice, especially in public settings, disarming those around him with humor, always at the expense of others. His philosophy is that might is right: the display and exercise of dominating power is, in his view, the "right" way to be.
I am talking, of course, about Richard III in Shakespeare's play by that name. Richard’s story ends poorly because his lust for power and disregard for morality ultimately destroy him. Shakespeare’s play serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition, the fragility of power gained through treachery, and the inevitability of justice, whether delivered by human hands or divine forces.
But project the image of Richard forward to the 21st century and imagine a political leader—perhaps several or even many—who share his belief that might (the display and exercise of dominating power) is right. From their perspective, anyone who disagrees with this idea is, as some say today, "woke."
Now imagine that some among those who disagree are Christians, followers of Jesus, who believe that Jesus had a very different philosophy and way of living in the world: one centered in honesty, humility, and a recognition of the dignity of each person. These Christians might look to the words of Bishop Mariann Budde, who, in her sermon at the National Cathedral on January 21, 2025, described these values as central to a Christ-like life.
What might our modern-day Richard say about Bishop Budde?
He would likely mock her commitment to humility as weakness and deride her call for honesty as naïve. He might sneer at her recognition of human dignity as pandering to those he considers unworthy of respect. He would almost certainly dismiss her message as "woke theology" and ridicule her for standing against the raw, unfiltered exercise of power that he so highly values. In doing so, he would reveal the stark contrast between two worldviews: one rooted in domination and self-interest, and another grounded in relationality, love, and the transformative power of humility and justice.
Shakespeare’s Richard III remains a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the seductive allure of power for its own sake. In every era, including our own, there are those who embody Richard’s philosophy, and there are those who stand in resistance to it. The question is not only what a modern-day Richard would say about someone like Bishop Budde, but also how those who share her vision of a just and compassionate world might respond.
I am talking, of course, about Richard III in Shakespeare's play by that name. Richard’s story ends poorly because his lust for power and disregard for morality ultimately destroy him. Shakespeare’s play serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of unchecked ambition, the fragility of power gained through treachery, and the inevitability of justice, whether delivered by human hands or divine forces.
But project the image of Richard forward to the 21st century and imagine a political leader—perhaps several or even many—who share his belief that might (the display and exercise of dominating power) is right. From their perspective, anyone who disagrees with this idea is, as some say today, "woke."
Now imagine that some among those who disagree are Christians, followers of Jesus, who believe that Jesus had a very different philosophy and way of living in the world: one centered in honesty, humility, and a recognition of the dignity of each person. These Christians might look to the words of Bishop Mariann Budde, who, in her sermon at the National Cathedral on January 21, 2025, described these values as central to a Christ-like life.
What might our modern-day Richard say about Bishop Budde?
He would likely mock her commitment to humility as weakness and deride her call for honesty as naïve. He might sneer at her recognition of human dignity as pandering to those he considers unworthy of respect. He would almost certainly dismiss her message as "woke theology" and ridicule her for standing against the raw, unfiltered exercise of power that he so highly values. In doing so, he would reveal the stark contrast between two worldviews: one rooted in domination and self-interest, and another grounded in relationality, love, and the transformative power of humility and justice.
Shakespeare’s Richard III remains a powerful reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the seductive allure of power for its own sake. In every era, including our own, there are those who embody Richard’s philosophy, and there are those who stand in resistance to it. The question is not only what a modern-day Richard would say about someone like Bishop Budde, but also how those who share her vision of a just and compassionate world might respond.