The punches in the gut keep on coming. Once again, the last few days have seen more hidden horrors come to light in the Ravi Zacharias story.
Last week, Christianity Today ran their latest update under this headline: “Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds Of Picture Of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation.” In the wake of this latest story the internet and water-coolers have played host to countless conversations, speculations, and conclusions. . . some of which we’ve been able to listen in on.
Among the many varied responses there are those who see this as an opportunity to demonize men in high profile ministries as abusers of power. One man like this is way too many. And, we would be foolish to think there aren’t others. . . a fact which has been proven several times over the last few months. We should know better than to say “always” or “never” when speaking about people groups of any kind. . . but we should always be aware that there are never any who are perfect and at the very least, the seed that took root and grew in who-knows-how-many-directions in Ravi Zacharias’s life is always present in us all.
Others have taken the opportunity to lean dangerously close towards the error of writing this off. . . as if Ravi Zacharias should be judged on the scale that leans in the direction of the good things he has said and done, rather than on his serial abuse of women. I’ve even heard some say that 50 or 60 years ago people would have looked the other way at Ravi Zacharias – much like people did with high-profile folks like JFK and MLK – and we should do the same. But what he has done is inexcusable and writing it off only multiplies the horrific fallout in the lives of those he victimized.
There is far more at work in this story than can be fully understood or commented on in even remotely adequate ways here. But as I think about myself and my thousands upon thousands of peers in ministry, three things come to mind.
First, sin is lurking at the door. . . and its desire is for you and for me. If you have any kind of accurate notion of your own broken humanity there needs to be no explanation or qualifier here.
Second, accountability cannot be overlooked. With Ravi Zacharias there is a perfect storm of indicators that accountability, if it did exist, didn’t exist properly. He held a place on his ministry’s board. He was the chairman of his ministry’s board. He had a vote on his ministry’s board. He had family members on his ministries board. He had his name prominently displayed in his ministry’s name. His name was prominent in his ministry’s web address. And that’s just what we know. What else was happening behind the scenes that we haven’t seen? Accountability must be had. . . not because you don’t trust others, but because you shouldn’t trust yourself. Surround yourself with others. Don’t surround yourself with yourself. And the others you surround yourself with should never be “yes-men.” Why? Because they’ll nod their heads in agreement whether you’re taking steps to life or to death. As an aside, let me say something to my younger youth worker friends out there: this is why you need to put yourself under those who are older in your ministry setting.
Third, we each need to recognize that we stand at the edge of the precipice. . . perhaps even closer to the edge than we think if we somehow convince ourselves we aren’t anywhere near the edge. Earlier this week David French released some thoughts in his compelling piece on the Ravi Zacharias story. It was titled, “You are only one step away from complete and total insanity.” The best and the brightest people I’ve known and know in ministry have all said this same thing in one way or another. I think that if you refuse to believe it, you might actually be only a half step away from complete and total insanity.
There’s so much at play in this story. . . more than you or I know or even imagine. But I what I do know is that a good close look in the mirror is required.
Some helpful additional resources. . .
Hi Walt! Thank you for addressing this “issue”. Germs & Jesus are all over. So is sin. I believe we are in a time of separating the goats from Sheep. I personally have been involved in 2 work situations where men were involved in pornography. One was an insurance business the other a Christian school. When confronted it was to “ help” the sinner, while still in their position. This affected me mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically with migraines and even throwing up.
Even when brought to the attention of the pastor of my Church, it was swept under the rug. With all that being said I have forgiven, moved on, but the scar is still there.
The sin battle is real.
Occupying till Jesus SOON return.
Spreading the Love of Jesus.
Spending loads of time in prayer & reading my Bible.
Blessings to you!
Pride and arrogance lead the parade, followed by any number of very visible and/or public manifestations of sin. It is the turning away from God the Father by ignoring His Spirit who remains always within those of us who confess Jesus as the sent Savior. We must talk daily, all day long, to the Spirit within us to keep us on The Path, keep us from straying onto the verge and into the tangled wood of the world.
I speak from eighty years of experience and learning, too often a learning from sinful mistakes. Trust the Holy Spirit within you, Christian.
This article is another great reminder that what we often see around us is a direct mirror and certainly a map of what is imminently possible in all of us. God, forgive us for being blind to the sin in our own hearts; Holy Spirit, make our depravity plain to our own eyes.
This part: regarding article ‘ “You are only one step away from complete and total insanity” … If you refuse to believe you’re one step away from insanity.. you might actually be only a half step away from complete and total insanity. Truth.
I cannot imagine standing before The Lord of Glory realizing that you were given much and you used that power and influence to hurt him! Forgiveness may happen, but how terrible that moment will be! All the pleasures he sought will seem so fleeting and worthless. If with all his gifts and intelligence, he only could have seen the end of it!