I realize that recently I’ve made a few posts about the recent developments regarding Ted Haggard. This isn’t to elevate one particular situation or give it undue and unnecessary attention. As with any situation involving a previously or presently influential leader, the way they respond has the potential to define or distort crucial issues that face the church today. Ted Haggard’s fall continues to impact and influence not only those within the church but our current cultural climate today.
On Thursday, Ted & Gayle Haggard made their anticipated appearance on Oprah. I watched and processed with mixed emotions. I was planning write my viewpoints on the interview until someone sent me an excellent overview by Joe Dallas (one of my favorite speakers and teachers). I don’t want to reinvent the wheel so here is what Joe had so say:
Ted Said: AfterThoughts on Ted Haggard’s Interview with Oprah
Guest Post by Joe Dallas
Rev. Ted Haggard broke his two year silence on Oprah’s show yesterday, his first media appearance since a catastrophic fall from the pulpit of New Life Church in 2006, when his longstanding relationship with a male prostitute was exposed. The details are still fresh: Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals, was condemning gay sex publicly while paying for it privately, until accusations from male escort Mike Jones cracked the dam of Ted’s denials (“I neverhad gay sex!”) and trickles of half-concessions leaked out (“Well, yeah, I bought some meth from a gay escort, but threw it away”) followed by voice mail recordings irrefutable as Monica’s blue dress, and the inevitable confession, contrition and exit. It was as tawdry as it was achingly familiar in this era of public falls, and many of us hoped the story was played out.
Enter the sequel. An HBO special titled The Trials of Ted Haggard premieres Thursday January 29, and by way of promotion, Ted granted interviews to Larry King as well as Oprah, revisiting those dark days with his own insights and explanations. If there’s a redemptive twist to all this, it lies in what can be gleaned from the Reverend’s experience and, to an extent, his statements about Christianity, homosexuality, church life and human nature. A typical spectator, I cheered and booed throughout the Oprah interview, shouting criticisms or praise while knowing nothing of what it was like for the man under the bright lights being grilled about his worst failures and private agonies. So I’ll concede, a la Roosevelt’s famous observation about the man in the arena, that it is indeed the guy in the ring whose performance matters far and above the critic who wishes he’d done this or said that.
From that deferential position, then, let me offer some thoughts on what Ted said, what I wish he’d said, and what still needs to be said:
Ted said: “I’m a heterosexual with homosexual attachments.”
What prompted it: Oprah’s predictable but relevant question: Are you gay, straight, or bisexual? (read more)
Ever have one of those weeks where it seems that if it can go wrong it will? Well, welcome to my week. It’s like attending a cow pie skeet-shoot and everyone yells “pull” at the same time and you’re left without an umbrella (get the picture?). I’m talking about situations that range from the usual daily drama to the legitimately justified crisis all the way to the “you’ve got to be kidding me” ridiculous scenarios that can only be resolved by pharmaceutical intervention (and no, I don’t mean me).
I certainly don’t want to make light of legitimate situations that are truly unavoidable and unintentional, it’s just the things that are unnecessary and can be prevented that are most challenging. But these things do happen and believe it or not, they have a purpose.
A few weeks ago, I felt that God was telling me to get ready for some stormy days ahead. Not exactly what I typically like to hear. But I realized that He was telling me so that I could focus and not become distracted. As I was considering all of this, I was reminded of the potential benefits that storms can bring (I realize I’m changing metaphors but this is a little . . . ahem . . . less delicate to work around).
Sometimes storms leave behind damage and destruction along with heavy rain. In the midst and aftermath of a storm, you can feel disoriented, confused, and depending on the situation, a sense of loss. However have you also noticed how clean the air is afterwards and how months of filth and dirt that have accumulated have been washed away? You often see on the evening news how, in the midst of wreckage and debris, people begin to come together to provide relief and assistance. There is a sense of unity that begins to form between people who were once strangers. There is a common purpose that moves beyond people’s preferences and provides an opportunity for their character to be revealed. It is during the rescue and rebuilding that heroes are made or discovered. Challenging situations that seem insurmountable can give us some of our greatest stories of faithfulness, loyalty, provision and friendship. No one likes going through a storm and having to wait it out. But you have to remember, they don’t last forever. They can just seem like they do. Next time you see storm clouds on the horizon, just remember that they can also bring great opportunities with them.
And as for things hitting the fan, . . . well . . . I’ll just leave it at that.
Earlier on, Jesus had given the disciples power to heal the sick, cast out demons, and raise the dead. However, they were surprised by their failure to heal the epileptic boy. When they asked Jesus in private why they were not able to perform the miracle, He rebuked them for their lack of faith. The disciples were treating the authority given to them like a gift of magic to be used at their whim. They only way they could accomplish the miracles that Jesus described was through sincere faith and devoted prayer. It is only through this that nothing will be impossible for His disciples.
the disciples had seen Jesus provide for 5,00 and 4,000 with just a few loaves and fish. Yet when they were faced with the same situation of not having any bread, they could only rely on their own means. Christ calls them “of little faith.” He had just rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for their demand of signs and their unbelief in spite of the miracles already performed. The disciples were close to repeating the same offense of unbelief. Christ’s miracles do not compel faith but rather those who have faith will realize their significance. They are expressions of God’s salvation and glory. Faith is essential to God’s miraculous workings.
On Tuesday, after much controversy, Rick Warren gave his invocation for President Obama’s inauguration (for a transcipt of the prayer, click here). I thought he did an excellent job and delivered it with uncompromised conviction. (I thought the four different references to the name of Jesus was brilliant.) However, it seems that everyone wasn’t pleased. There were complaints that he used Jesus’ name and closed with the Lord’s Prayer. A professor of American religious history at Columbia University who claims to be a friend of Warren says “To lead the nation in saying the Lord’s Prayer, which is so particularly Christian was a mistake.” (click here for reference)
Huh?
You’ve got to be kidding.
I understand being sensitive and diplomatic in order to respect others from different cultures, religions, and points of view. I just find it interesting that all religious and socio-political expressions outside of a biblical worldview seem to come under a special protected class in our culture and find safe harbor in the name of diversity. But when a biblical world-view is presented, it is considered intolerant, prejudiced, and antiquated. It seems that when it comes to Christianity, everyone wants to use the mute button. This is a battle I’m afraid so many are all too familiar with.
So I wonder what would have been acceptable for this event. I know it’s a little campy, but maybe something like this would have been more palatable:
“Our existential one whom we acknowledge as a higher power,
Politically correct be your name,
Your rule at bay,
Our will be done,
On earth, as it is in our personal concept of heaven
Give us this day what we desire,
And forgive those who sin against us
By imposing the oppressive notion of sin
And lead us into opportunities for the gratification of our proclivities and passionate indulgences
For this is our kingdom, power, and glory. Amen.”
I think I may try this one out on Sunday morning. I’ll let you know how it goes.
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Guest Post by Joe Dallas