If you watch the news, read the paper or log onto Beliefnet for news, you’ve heard about Colorado’s Rev. Ted Haggard and his indiscretions. My heart goes out to him, his family, his congregation, and his friends, some of whom I know.
From a media points of view, Rev. Haggard’s news is, well, news. But I don’t think it rises to the level that some in the media–including some of our own–have taken it. One example is David Kuo, who writes a religio-political blog (or is it politigeous blog?) for Beliefnet and has a current book on the New York Times best seller list.
“At the end of the day, this comes down to bringing Jesus into politics,” Kuo writes. “Right now, it’s not Ted Haggard on trial. It’s Jesus. This is about the God he represents. When you make yourself a public figure and you fall, you bring the perception of your God with you.”
While that may be the case personally for David, I categorically disagree with him in terms of the public dialogue about spirituality in our culture–especially how it plays out on TV.
The Bible is full of God’s leaders who’ve failed personally and morally. Hebrews 11 names several Biblical leaders of faith–including Moses, Abraham, Noah, and others whose names you probably recognize but whose sins you may not know of. Their names are thought of in culture as something like God’s “Hall of Fame,” but they all qualify for God’s “Hall of Shame!” Most Christians know that God is the only One who is perfect. The rest of us walk with him–and enter heaven–by faith which starts with His grace.
For David Kuo or anyone to say that somehow Jesus is “on trial” because a religio-public leader has fallen misses the point, I think. Ted Haggard’s story represents a tragic illustration of the spiritual truth that has existed since Adam and Eve: We are all human, we all come up short, we all miss the mark, and we all can be grateful for the grace of God which is greater than our imperfections and shortcomings.
From a media or cultural point of view–and please forgive me if this sounds insensitive–Rev. Haggard’s story is just this week’s piece of the news cycle, which knocked Mr. Kerry and his bad joke out of it and which will be replaced by Tuesday’s elections. Far more important is the fact that Rev. Haggard deserves our prayers as he journeys through recovery and restoration, because the spiritual journey before each of us–and it’s ramifications–will last for eternity. Current events will quickly (and literally) become yesterday’s news.
posted November 7, 2006 at 10:20 pm
It’s sad how we’ve come to see our leaders as set apart from the rest of us, as larger-than-life figures, forgetting that they are human just like the rest of us. Along with this mindset comes the idea that celebrities are somehow “experts” about everything. The average actor probably knows next to nothing about politics or biological research, but they have instant credibility in the eyes of most of the public. It’s interesting how the Bible is so transparent about the weaknesses and failings of its heroes. On the other hand, if Christians are indeed being objective about their own individual shortcomings, how can they be so naive about others’?
posted November 8, 2006 at 12:11 pm
I wonder how David K. will respond to his own trial when the day comes. I am sure he will be inclined to enjoy some “grace” at that point if he is of the right heart. I think his whole comment smells of blasphemy to even infer that our Saviour could ever be judged by mere men. Doug, I enjoyed your comments. Keep it up.
posted September 27, 2008 at 10:40 pm
I can not even attempt to say if Ted Haggard knows the Lord or not. God is the only one judge. If Mr Haggard is a true believer and that he is still struggling to sort out his problems before God , just like the rest of us who are Christians are commanded to do, then our prayers for him as a brother will not be in vain. BUT, if he shows no signs of true repentance in this side of heaven, then he may be reckoning with Hebrews 6:4-8 . “For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God, AND PUT HIM TO OPEN SHAME. For the ground that drinks the rain which often falls upon it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is so tilled,receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles,it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.”
We can as believers put Christ on the spotlight in a shameful way.
If he is not a Christian only the Lord knows…and also we will know by their fruits.
“So then you will know them by their fruits…Many men will come to me on that day, “Lord…did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name, perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me , you who practice lawlessness.’ ” Matthew 7:21-23
Whether a Christian or not a Christian, he represented Christ to the nation and to the world. He did shame Christ’s name. We need to take this seriously as a warning…it can happen in our own sinful life.