Gingrich, Dobson, Falwell - Brothers in Hypocrisy

"Becoming involved in strictly political issues or partisan politics inevitably dilutes the evangelist's impact and compromises his message. It is a lesson I wish I had learned sooner." - Billy Graham.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Rom. 12:1-3 (NIV)

I grew up watching many of Billy Graham's crusades on TV. Later on, Billy Graham was in a way, instrumental, in my later conversion from Buddhism to Christianity. Billy Graham got across to me not only as someone who is sincere but also as a man of peace. He was like King David, a man after God's own heart.

So as I listened to Newt Gingrich's confession to James Dobson (Focus of the Family), & the subsequent invite from Jerry Falwell to give the commencement address at Liberty University, all sorts of alarms went off in my head. As a Bible-believing, evangelical Christian, I've learned to develop discernment over the years. I know a liar, or a bunch of them, when I see/hear one.

Here, before me were three so-called “Christians” engaging in political & religious masturbation. They didn't seemed to know God or his character. They seemed to think that God would suck up to their political agenda. Each, trivializing the word of God & slapping God in the face in the process. Here, before me is an example of deception outlined in the Bible:

“Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.” - 2 Cor. 4:2 (NIV)

The supremacy of God's character determines a Christian's view of the world. Before God, adultery is adultery. Philandering is philandering. Perjury is perjury. One cannot draw a line in his mind, to think that God will draw a similar line in his mind & turn a blind eye. God is neither blind nor dumb. God will not do anything to contradict his own character.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” - Isa. 55:8-9 (NIV)

“For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” - Jude 1:4 (NIV)

Neither Gingrich, Dobson nor Falwell understand the fear or wrath of God. Give me Billy Graham anytime. I rest my case.

Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse, like physical abuse or sexual abuse is real. While many don't get to hear about it. It's alive & kicking in many churches. Here are a few examples I've encountered:

1. A middle-age lady fell off her seat in the middle of a church service. She had just blacked-out & lost consciousness. A medical diagnosis later revealed that she had suffered a mild stroke which triggered the black-out. Although it was a mild stroke, it left her incapacitated. She was unable to drive or go anywhere on her own. She went through a course of medical treatment for almost a year. During that time, no one in the church gave her a call or visited her. This lady had served her church faithfully for several years in many areas of ministry. Finally, in a moment of sheer loneliness, she called her pastor to pray for her. After rendering her story, all the pastor had to say was this - “if you're a good & spiritual Christian, you wouldn't have fallen sick. The reason why you're sick must be due to some hidden & unconfessed sins.” - She was stunt by the cold-blooded assessment. Since then, this lady had left her church & had moved on to a more humane church environment.

2. A young couple had grown fond of each other. With marriage in mind, the young man decided to speak to a church leader about his affections & feelings. He's known this church leader for some years now & felt confident that he would be able to offer some much needed good advice. It was not to be. In their first meeting, the church leader told him abruptly that he should consider someone else as a more worthy life partner than his current girlfriend. The young man was never told why. No long after that, his girlfriend was removed as a member of the church. The young man left shortly after on his own accord. The couple broke up & the girl went on to embrace another religion. Many years later, the young man learned from a close friend that his ex-girlfriend was once married when she was very young. The marriage didn't last long & was broken up. The church leader at that point of time knew about it but was of the opinion that for the young man to marry this girl would be committing an act of adultery. But the church leader felt that this information need not be disclosed. The young man in question need not know.
   

3. A married couple went to seek counsel when their marriage was going through some rough weather. The pastor in attendance criticized the couple roundly throughout their meeting, while extolling the virtues of his own happy marriage. By comparison, there's no reason why the couple should fail to experience the same. To make matters worst, the husband of this couple had earlier lost his job due to a corporate restructuring. Throughout the duration of the meeting, the pastor didn't even request for a copy of the husband's CV to be circulated to the other 2,000 members of various professions in the church. Instead, the pastor was ranting about how unsavory the husband's choice of certain words were to the pastor's ears.
   

From these experiences, clearly something stinks. How the local church chooses to address the problem of spiritual abuse will determine whether the love & wisdom of God lives in that church.

Evangelicals & Climate Change

It seems that James Cameron, Simcha Jacobovich & “The Lost Tomb of Jesus,” aren't the only ones having credibility problems with both scientists & evangelicals alike these days. There's now a group of high-ranking evangelicals with an emerging credibility crisis with both scientists & other evangelicals before the watching world.

I'm talking about a bunch of evangelicals who are fomenting threats & slander to silent the discussion on climate change & global warming. Since I'm not an American & don't belong to any side of the American political divide, here's my 2 cents worth as an Asian evangelical. No doubt, some reading this, with a particular political slant will be infuriated. The demand for honesty has always inflamed the less than honest.

Climate change, for that matter, global warming is a proven, scientific fact. It's not anything remotely near the theory of evolution where scientists from both sides have debated vigorously & will continue to debate. Climate change is upon us, like it or not. Just ask the countless millions of victims of droughts, floodings, hurricanes & other related natural disasters, not to mention emerging tropical diseases.

The problem with this bunch of evangelicals is that they think that the discussion on climate change & global warming is a distraction from their pet preoccupation with abortion & homosexuality. We, Asian evangelicals are no less aware of our Christian values & the biblical teachings surrounding them. What bother us is the hypocritical nature of this group of so-called “evangelicals.”

It seems strange that these evangelicals who preached so much about Christian moral & family values are generally silent when the political party of their choice sucks up monetary contributions from the tobacco, liquor, gambling, defense & even the pornography industry. I remember how one renowned specialist on Christian family values remained silent when his favorite political party invited porn stars to its fund-raising dinner party.

We, Asian Christians will stick to our moral & family values. We'll continue to discuss issues & challenges critical to our survival. We'll not ignore our divine calling to be good stewards of God's creation. We value the importance of climate change & global warming. Unlike these evangelicals, we don't have a political agenda or political party to suck up to.