"That was the first question that came to mind
when the story of New York Governor Eliot Spitzer's
involvement with a prostitution ring was reported
in the media. It is a question that arises when other
very fortunate people risk everything for some trivial
satisfaction." That was the comment by Thomas
Sowell, Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution at
Stanford University in California.
It is the question we might ask concerning New Jersey
Governor James McGreevy who sacrificed his political
career for a homosexual fling, or Senator Larry Craig,
who lost his governmental career for an indiscretion
in a public men’s room . . . and the list goes on . . . all
the way to United States President Bill Clinton with
respect to his relations with a young female employee.
Or from the Christian aspect of life, it is the question
we might ask of Ted Haggard, president of the National
Association of Evangelicals, or James Bakker, of PTL
fame, or Jimmy Swaggart who wept copiously over the
loss of his TV evangelism career. Or of scores of priests
of the Roman Catholic church who abandoned their
vows of service to God to indulge in sexual misconduct
with young children.
There is so much to say . . . there is so much which has
already been said. One comes to the general conclusion
that when caught and exposed, the expressions of
regret are perhaps as much for getting caught as for the
action itself. Essentially what they have demonstrated
with respect to their faith, their beliefs, or their promises
to their fellow-men is cynicism and hypocrisy. Neither
has any part in the Christian life.
Many of the news commentators -- the famous "talking
heads" of TV -- are arguing that Mr. Spitzer should not
be severely punished . . . that he has already given up being
the Governor of New York State . . . and their premise is
that adultery is not a federal offense. This fact may not
mean much to them, but while adultery may not be a
federal offense, it is most certainly a God offense. And
that is an offense before a more exacting court than any
federal court, including the U.S. Supreme Court.
For all such situations, political or religious or business
or sports or just ordinary life practices, the Word of
God is clear, definite and unambiguous. "You shalt not
commit adultery." (Exodus 20:14) But there are other
expressions of guidance in His Word, "Trust in the
Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own
understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him
and He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs
3: 5,6, NIV) Or the corollary, "Do not put your trust
in princes, in mortal men who cannot save... Blessed
is he whose help is the God of Jacob... the Lord who
remains faithful forever." (Psalm 146: 3-6, NIV)
MORE ABOUT THE AUTHOR
The Evangelical Viewpoint is pleased to present this
new series of essays by Dr. Jerry Beavan, in which
he offers mature discussions of important elements
of the Christian faith, with the goal of helping other
Christian believers to live the Christian life more
effectively. At age 89, he already has a lifetime of
experiences in Christian ministry, as a graduate
theologian, as a professor in college and seminary,
and as a world traveler involved in government
relations at high levels, here in America and around
the world. The late Dr. Jerry Falwell referred to him
as "one of God's giants and modern patriarchs." Dr.
Billy Graham said of him, "Jerry Beavan is the
architect of world evangelism as we know it today."
Now living in "active retirement" on America's Pacific
coast, although physically impaired, he is using his
writing skills, via the internet, to help other believers
gain a better understanding of their Christian faith.
He is the author of several works, including his recent
volume, ""A Handbook of Applied Christianity."
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