This is a commentary I wrote for Ministry Today, January 20, 2009.
Ted Haggard is using an upcoming HBO documentary to chastise the church for how it handled his sex-and-drugs scandal in 2006. Read one pastor’s take on why he may have a point.
Ted Haggard is at it again. The former pastor of a Colorado mega church who admitted to a sexual relationship with a male escort in 2006, is now sharing his story in a documentary called The Trials of Ted Haggard. On January 29, the film premieres on HBO and will re-examine the scandal that rocked the evangelical world. For many, this film will reopen old wounds and stir up feelings thought to be dead and buried.I question why Haggard chose this particular outlet to voice the pain and frustration of his private journey. While I can only imagine the suffering Haggard has endured over the past two years, I cannot excuse some of his choices. And now, once again, it seems the church will have to deal with another reminder of those choices. But maybe there are some things worth being reminded of.
In recent news reports, Ted Haggard chastised church leaders for missing an opportunity to use his scandal to “communicate the gospel worldwide.” Despite how we may feel about the circumstances surrounding Haggard, I believe we have the responsibility to ask: Is he right? Did we, the global Christian church, somehow miss an opportunity to respond to those who struggle with unwanted same-sex attraction with the gospel of truth? While these are valid questions that demand our attention, I believe there is another question that addresses an issue just as important, if not far greater:
What if Ted had told the truth? (click here for the entire article)
A Prayer Too Christian
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.
Posted on: January 23, 2009 in Commentary 4 Comments