Posted on 02/25/2021 7:24:10 AM PST by SeekAndFind
As a former Muslim, one of the most appealing aspects of Christianity is that God commands monogamy. So it especially pains me seeing the numerous sex scandals pouring out of the evangelical church recently.
In an article in The Christian Post, many well-known pastors and leaders have come out strongly against the despicable abuse committed by the late Ravi Zacharias, ranging from rape, spiritual abuse, and unwanted touching of numerous women. They encourage not only repentance of any leaders still engaging in illicit sexual behavior, but they also advocate for accountability of all church leaders who are in a position to manipulate the spiritual and emotional needs of their members. Though first accused in 2017 of unwanted sexual advances, Zacharias's conduct went unchallenged and was only revealed upon his death.
And this past November, news broke that former Hillsong Church Pastor Carl Lentz was fired for "leadership issues and moral failures" after one of several extramarital affairs became public. Though Lentz is now removed from his leadership position at Hillsong, a staff member also reported his inappropriate conduct as far back as 2017, but it was vehemently denied.
In both cases, action is only taken once the behavior becomes publicly undeniable and many lives are irreparably harmed. As Southern Baptist leader Russell Moore so aptly put it regarding the Zacharias sex abuse reveal, "This awful report — coming on the heels of so many other situations detailed before — should rouse the conscience to ask not just how sadists can get into places of Christian leadership, but whether we have created a situation where the very presence of a conscience is an impediment to advancement in…. some sectors of American Christianity."
I was a devoted Muslim for over 20 years and can attest to the abuse that many Muslim women endure – the worse of which is being forced into illegal, polygamous relationships where both the women and children have no legal rights and are subject to constant mistreatment and ridicule in the community. Though many Muslim men do not engage in polygamy, the practice is permissible under Islamic law. That air of legitimacy causes the most harm because it gives the man a religious justification to force a woman's acceptance. For myself and other former Muslim women, one of the most attractive teachings of Christianity is about marriage. A husband and wife become one flesh[1] and have a responsibility to one another of honor and love.[2] Adultery and other forms of sexual depravity are repeatedly condemned throughout the Bible. The Apostle Paul explicitly warns believers that God's wrath will come on the "sons of disobedience" who engage in sexual sin.[3] Jesus said even lusting after a woman was committing adultery in the heart.[4] With such stern warnings, how can we allow such behavior to go unchecked in the Church?
Simply apologizing after the fact that Christian leaders are caught and wishing them well in their future endeavors is not solving the problem, nor is it creating a sense of accountability. For the rest of the Church, who has to face the ridicule of outsiders who accuse us of hypocrisy and corruption, such an approach is offensive. Church members, elders, and leaders must demand stricter policies for investigating claims of misconduct if they want to demonstrate their commitment to the Gospel of Christ.
The Lord warns, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves."[5] Being aware means the onus is on us to safeguard the community against people who could harm the body of believers with false doctrine. Whether it is outright misstatements of God's word or actions that implicitly condone conduct against Biblical doctrine, allowing such behavior to go unchecked can have far-reaching consequences. It not only damages the reputation of Christians as a whole but causes irreparable harm to the many who suffer at the hands of these individuals.
In contrast, the Lord tells us, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged."[6] Though tension exists between these two concepts, many other tenets of the Gospel warn that teachers will be held to a higher standard and encourage the body of believers to confess their sins to one another and to admonish fellow believers who are stuck in sin.
Viewed in its totality, the Gospel teaches us accountability and holiness. "For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am Holy.'"[7] The Church is one body, and when one part is hurting, we all suffer. Each of us has a responsibility to live a life that honors one another and the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. Though all of us at times fall short, the Lord holds our leaders to an even higher standard, and the Church should do the same. Yes, judgment is for God alone, but that is not an excuse to let evil actions run rampant. If we fail to hold fast to the sacred tenets that set us apart as followers of Christ, we risk becoming the exact type of people that Christ warned us about. "Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'[8]
[1] Mark 10:6–9
[2] 1 Peter 3:7
[3] Ephesians 5:3-6
[4] Mathew 5:28
[5] Mathew 7:15
[6] Mathew 7: 1
[7] 1 Peter 1:16
[8] Mathew 7:22
Hedieh Mirahmadi was a devout Muslim for two decades working in the field of national security before she experienced the redemptive power of Jesus Christ and has a new passion for sharing the Gospel. She dedicates herself full-time to Resurrect Ministry, an online resource that harnesses the power of the Internet to make salvation through Christ available to people of all nations, and her daily podcast LivingFearlessDevotional.com.
The Christian Post. The National Enquirer for evangelicals.
Any comments about the CONTENT of the article?
“Simply apologizing after the fact that Christian leaders are caught and wishing them well in their future endeavors is not solving the problem, nor is it creating a sense of accountability.”
The author never gets around to making a specific recommendation, so I’m not sure of the purpose of the article other than to go on record as being against sin.
I guess there is nothing wrong with that. Meanwhile, the rest of us must farm better than we have ever farmed before.
So, is there a problem?
“Church members, elders, and leaders must demand stricter policies for investigating claims of misconduct if they want to demonstrate their commitment to the Gospel of Christ.”
Moved recently and am looking for a church. The church I used to be part of has a policy of turning over any accusation to the cops for investigation. We also did background checks on anyone working with kids. During the decade I was there no accusations were made.
I’d argue this is a reason for a smaller LOCAL church versus a huge church organization. Hard to hide among 50 people.
I’m also leaning more to the “home church” movement, perhaps combined with online sermons. I think we need to prepare for going underground as government persecution sets in.
It has long been a fact that the clergy are prone to sex crimes.
Many wolves have entered in to being pastors. The Bible teaches even unbelievers can teach Gods Word for money and power. His word will never return void. While I have no idea if any one is truly saved or not, their fruit speaks loudly. I think it is up to the sheep to be sure their pastor shepherd is living a holy life.
I also have noticed many shepherds want to live as close to the world as possible. Many have stopped teaching from the Old Testament entirely and just teach from the New Testament, therefore the people don’t even know the whole counsel of God.
I think we are very close to the rapture and we are living in the Laodicean age of the church. This is just how far from God most people are. Saved or not.
Say what?
There is something wrong with having a hierarchical church, it seems to breed and advance personal corruption. I don't know if it's related to sociopathy, and how sociopaths naturally advance in organizations, but it seems to me that the inside politics of a large church don't seem to be Christian-based. Maybe we only hear about the bad ones.
I agree with the article.
When light passes through a dirty glass the light doesn't get dirty.
RE: So, is there a problem?
You don’t see a problem with what happened to Ravi Zacarias, Carl Lentz and Bill Hybels?
Oddly, I saw a couple of videos from this guy and though I thought they showed some pretty solid knowledge, he always kinda gave me the creeps and I never really followed his stuff.
OTOH, if this sort of thing was discovered about people like Dr. Michael Heiser or Jordan Peterson, I’d truly be shocked.
I think the ones that “prance around a stage in front of tens of thousands” make me the most nervous.
Yeah. This isn’t about Christianity. It’s about power corrupting.
Heck, read up on Gandhi and “young girls”. And then there is David...
Men of all stripes demonstrate why every single one of us needs the blood of Christ.
During the bad days of the sex scandal in the Roman Catholic church, there were a lot of Catholics expressing disbelief and Evangelicals pointing out (rightly) that the evidence was pretty clear.
With Ravi, it is the reverse.
The investigation was pretty clear. He was an adulterer. Thinking back on his talks about about the struggles and temptations of living on the road, I suspect it was something he was fighting for a long time.
Doesn’t excuse it. Doesn’t condone it.
My problem is now that the roles are reversed, I am seeing the same behavior. Evangelicals are attacking the evidence and living in denial.
The Bible has some clear expectations of church leaders. Even if they are “super apostles”.
The problem with home churches/ small groups is they are far easier to fall to a cult of personality. Having seen quite a number of home Bible studies turn into out right heresy, there needs to be an oversight mechanism.
Which can lead to corruption to.
People are crappy.
There were two things about the article that raised my question mark. She said “attractive teachings.” I wonder why God’s holy truth would even be referred to in that way. I am not a true Calvinist, but I do not think you get “attracted” to the gospel. I think you get convicted about sin and judgment.
I admit that I am “attracted” to the idea of not burning in Hell. I realize this is just a turn of phrase. Perhaps she may only mean that she knew as a Muslim that what she was seeing in Islam was wrong and she turned away from that and found the truth in God’s Word.
My other question is why purging doctrinal apostates is not equally important or even more important than than purging these sexual predators. We are to believe that Ravi has done “irreparable harm to the cause of Christ” but Rob Bell has not.
I realize that this author may also care about doctrinal fidelity and she is just speaking from her own personal experience and may consider that another subject for another time.
Please correct me with my thanks. I always appreciate your contribution here SeekandFind!
In contrast, the Lord tells us, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”[6]
Judge others to a high standard and be held to the same high standard.
RE: I wonder why God’s holy truth would even be referred to in that way. I am not a true Calvinist, but I do not think you get “attracted” to the gospel. I think you get convicted about sin and judgment.
In the case of Ravi Zacarias, the attraction is to his STYLE of presentation.
He, unlike many other preachers, goes to the belly of the beast - the institutions of higher learning - Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, etc. and deal with the tough questions about Christianity thrown by skeptics - Professors, graduate students, pundits.
He does not assume that they accept the Bible. He challenges their worldview based on logic and reason to show that the Christian worldview is the most coherent when it comes to addressing the fundamental questions that mankind asks - Origin, Meaning, Morality and Destiny.
*THAT* is what attracts people to his message.
We all have to remember - the message never disappears, Ravi is simply a medium that communicates it and he does it very well.
It would be a gross mistake to confuse the CONTENT of his message with his personal moral failings.
That would be like someone ignoring a doctor who advises him to quit smoking and warns of its dangers because the doctor himself is a smoker.
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