| Sunny Side Up November 15, 2006 �2006, Kathleen Gibson Exploring truth in the Haggard Situation Evangelical Christianity faces its biggest scandal since the Baker/Swaggart debacles several decades ago. In case you haven't heard about the situation surrounding Ted Haggard - pastor, husband, father to five children - I'll recap. Ted pastors a Charismatic mega-church of 14,000. He started it twenty-two years ago in his own basement. Ted also heads the US National Association of Evangelicals. He's been a prominent lobbyist for traditional family values, confidante to the likes of George Bush, Dick Cheney, and James Dobson. Until a few days ago, that is. Today he's a fallen hero. Accused by a male prostitute of a three-year affair and of buying illegal drugs, he's stepped down from his position as leader of the NAE and been fired by his church leadership. The Sunday after everything broke open, he addressed his congregation via a letter, read aloud. In it, he admitted that most (though not all) the accusations are true. "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 is a part of my life that is so repulsive and dark that I've been warring against it all of my adult life." How troubling that Haggard believed he could ignore the dark that stalked him; worse, that he could indulge it - for years - without consequence. That he was powerful enough, important enough, to get away with breaking honor with the sacred writ he purportedly promoted. It's one of pride's lies - and none of us are exempt. I ache for the Haggards, for the massive reconstruction project their lives become now. If Ted has been preaching biblical truth he must now answer the question of whether he actually believes it, and whether he will undergo the painful spiritual processes that will enable him to fully experience God's grace, forgiveness, and empowerment to move on from here. But as if they needed it, the general public has another reason to distrust the Christian message. Hypocrisy has leapt the pews and pounds the pulpit. Again. Sadly, some may have heard this news as they were beginning to believe that the Christian faith offers power to live life above the dregs of human behaviour. It does - if one makes the daily choice to accept it! But many, not yet understanding that Jesus Christ offers our only perfect example, will now turn away, disdainful and embittered. Current evangelicalism as a movement is partly to blame for this, I feel. Mega-ministries, emotionalism, anti-intellectualism, and political power-mongering have all but obliterated Jesus Christ's less-popular, harder call to a life of self-denial, sacrifice, and holiness. The Bible notes that ministers and teachers of the Word have a sacred responsibility to live what they teach - in public and in private. It also says that what is done in secret will be shouted from the rooftops. Ironically, in the end that may yet prove to be Haggard's saving grace. Time will tell if it is also the saving grace of the evangelical movement. Respond Home |
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