A CHRISTIAN VIEW ON THE RESIGNATION OF JERRY FALWELL JR

Over the years we have seen many Christian leaders destroy or seriously cripple their ministry with moral failure. While it is nearly impossible for us to delve into the individual lives of these leaders to give us some clue or clues as to why they failed, there are some things that we can know about their failure and about them.

It would be instructive if we could have facts given to us as God gave us the insight to King David’s moral failure. We know why he fell into adultery (and murder). An examination of the facts of the case given to us reveal a man who was filled with pride and arrogance. He deemed himself above the law. He was the king and therefore felt he had the right to satisfy any desire at any time in any way he saw fit. Thus, King David saw a woman that he desired. It did not matter that she was married. His pride and arrogance made him feel advantaged, above scrutiny as an ordinary man. He even was able to excuse himself from causing the deliberate death of her husband so that he could marry Bathsheba. Supreme arrogance. Bloated pride.

Pride is part of the problem with any Christian man or woman who has moral failure. Somehow, they think they can get away with it. They justify their actions in a myriad of excuses but they all boil down to that person satisfying a personal desire and believing that they are above sanctions for their actions. They believe they can hide it, even from God. There is no fear of God in them, which is a supreme act of pride.

Pornography –  Serious Threat to the Moral Fiber of Humanity

But, there are a number of other things that can factor in moral failures by men and women in today’s environment, especially with those in leadership positions. One of those is pornography. I am convinced that this is an epidemic greater than Covid-19 (China Virus) currently sweeping the world. Pornography has caused more devastation to humanity than the Corona virus and is threatening to destroy the moral fiber of our nation.

It has infected our schools, from grade school children to college men and women. It has infected our churches. Tens of thousands of Christians (especially men) who would never consider doing drugs, have addicted themselves to pornography. Some churches have been addressing this issue, but most do not. It has reached into millions of households and exposed demonic scenes to the minds of innumerable, impressionable children. These additions have been linked to sex crimes and to a warped perspective by men and women as to their sexuality.

I suspect that if you looked into the past of most of those in leadership who have had serious moral failures, you’d find pornography lurking in the history of that person. Now, there is no way to prove that fact absent a confession, but given the tsunami-like flood of pornography over the world in the past several decades, the likelihood is pretty significant. (And, there are a number of those who’ve fallen who have admitted the addiction to pornography.)

Experts have likened the addiction of pornography to illegal drugs. It produces compulsive behavior. It also alters one’s natural desires. People addicted to pornography become jaded such that ordinary sex has little or no attraction for them at all and they find they can only find pleasure in extraordinary and more aggressive, bizarre and unnatural acts. It is not unusual for a man or woman addicted to pornography to find him or herself seeking out satisfaction from someone other than a spouse. If the spouse is involved as they are, they will often cooperate with others in satisfying their perverted desires. Pornography will have reshaped and redefined them sexually. Their minds are poisoned with images that are illusions.

While pornography is not always a factor in the moral failure of Christian leaders in every instance, in today’s environment, given the enormity of the material available to anyone with an internet connection, it is often a behind-the-scenes suspect. Leaders need to be very wary of this lurking demonic giant which, if permitted, will grab them and embrace them in a grip of lustful hate designed to suck the life from them. It is an enemy to be feared. It can be a Christian leader’s worst nightmare.

No Real Evidence of Moral Failure by Falwell, Jr

There is no way to know what happened with the Falwell’s other than what has been admitted. There is no way, absence an admittance, to know if there is any kind of history with pornography and we should not conclude there was without evidence. There has been no evidence nor suggestion of pornography in their lives. There is no way to know whether the young man who came forward with his story about Falwell’s wife is completely true, nor can we tell whether the story brought forward by a former student is true. Indeed, there is no evidence, besides the uncorroborated claim by the former “pool man,” of a moral failure by Falwell, Jr. We only know of an admitted failure on the part of Falwell’s wife. That’s it. All the rest is speculation. The fact that someone made an allegation is not, in itself, sufficient evidence (at least not to this author/lawyer) to conclude that Falwell had a moral failure of the kind described in the allegation.

One of the problems with these kinds of “stories” is that anybody can make a claim but unless there is an admission, there is no proof of a moral failure (such as has been alleged). Certainly there was enough evidence to suggest Mr. Falwell’s behavior and appearance was less than the standard expected from a Christian leader. (Fitting reason to pay heed to the admonition to “abstain from all appearance of evil.” 1 Thes. 5:22) Was his resignation forced? If he had not resigned would have been fired? Was there evidence known by the board that would’ve been sufficient for his discharge? We don’t know and we may never know the answers to those questions. (Perhaps it is better we don’t know.)

We do know that the photos of Falwell, together with the questions raised by the man Falwell claims was extorting them were sufficient to raise questions as to Falwell’s fitness to lead Liberty University. The questions that were raised by the pictures Falwell posted on social media and the allegations that have been raised by the “pool man,” were, by themselves, apparently sufficient for the board to request a resignation. Mr. Falwell put himself in a position that allowed those that have heard the allegations to give some credence to them. Whether those allegations are true or not is irrelevant to that issue. He was foolish. In his pride, he believed himself above suspicion, apparently. It would appear that he believed no one would dare raise an accusation that he was doing anything inappropriate, obviously never realizing the pictures themselves were inappropriate. Whether there was any immoral behavior on Falwell’s part is irrelevant. He made himself the target of suspicion and when very specific allegations of immorality on his part were raised, more credence than might otherwise have been allowed, was given to the former “pool man” who made the allegations.

Christian Leaders are Walking Targets

Every Christian leader, man or woman, is a walking target for Satan. He knows the human species better than just about anyone besides God. He has studied countless generations, watching them closely, observing their behaviors, monitoring every move. He is the master tempter. He is the master manipulator. He is the master deceiver. He is the master destroyer. He is the greatest killer of families, ministries, churches and lives in existence. Somehow, many Christian men and women in leadership have failed to see themselves as vulnerable targets. They have not realized that they are in fact “prime targets.”

Only pride does that.

The End

copyright 2020 Voyle A. Glover