A Call to Repentance

There is much being said about Ted Haggard today. Haggard is the elected leader of the National Association of Evangelicals. He is a pastor, and he is in trouble. Accusations have been made that Haggard was sexually involved with another man and used crystal meth. It's like so many other incidents of accusations. There's nothing to prove the claim, but there also seems to be very little motive to falsely accuse.

Haggard, for his part, has denied the story in increasingly less believable ways. In a recent interview, Haggard admits to buying meth but says that he threw it away when he realized that it was wrong. I didn't believe Bill Clinton (in fact, I never believed him). Unfortunately, I can't believe Haggard, either.

In all of this, Evangelicalism will take a huge hit. This situation will be used to show Evangelicals as hypocrital, phony, and power-hungry. The sad part is that we deserve it. We have enjoyed access to the political system, to Congress, and to the White House far too much. We have looked for help from men and chariots. And we have grown prideful with haughty eyes and lying tongues. Haggard's sad situation is only a symptom of a larger issue.

As a self-professed Evangelical, I am calling for repentance, not just from Haggard but from all Evangelicals. Our focus has changed from giving glory to God and transforming the world through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have left our first love. I am truly sorry for this. We have tarnished our witness by abusing power and wealth. Now, we should humble ourselves in order that God might show us grace.

I truly believe that God can and will redeem the worst of situations. Perhaps from this experience, the focus of the Evangelical world will change from worrying about what will happen on November 7 to transforming lives and the world through the gospel, power, and grace of Jesus Christ.