TED HAGGARD"The fact is I am guilty of sexual immorality. And I take responsibility for the entire problem. I am a deceiver and a liar. There's a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I have been warring against it for all of my adult life."
These are the words of Ted Haggard in a letter to his Colorado Springs mega-church this morning, November 5, 2006. It's too easy for Reformed Christians to point a finger at the charismatics, thinking scandalous sin problems are theirs, not ours. But what about the sin in our own camp? In Haggard's case, the church investigated and acted immediately. It did not cover up the deception and lies. The CRC must learn from this and not prolong a cover-up of deception and lies. But in Haggard's case, some might argue, it was real sin.
What is worse, I ask, to fall into temptation and commit serious sexual sin or to fabricate two sets of "notes" in order to destroy a career and damage a reputation?
Well, from what I've heard, Haggard didn't confess until he had no way out, it wasn't a voluntary confession. And the public are always far more interested in a tintillating sex scandal than in hearing about a staff member who's been wronged. Says a lot about the public, really. Even Christians can have a tabloid mentality. Think of all the things you could have done to make your case more 'interesting'!
ReplyDelete...Just think, if George Bush got caught with one of his assistants in his lap, it might possibly sway the midterm election vote far more than lying about WMDs or ignoring climate change.
ReplyDeleteIt's not about the scale or severity of the crime, but about what the public are interested in hearing and what tweaks their 'moral outrage' buttons. They are gripped by news about celebrity Christians they've seen on television. You teach and write books instead of broadcasting, that requires a bit too much thinking and analysis for knee-jerk reactionary Joe Schmoe. Let's see what the people in charge of the people who run Calvin seminary are made out of.