FROM WHERE I STAND – June 22, 2002 The pages of periodicals and newspapers are full of comments about the sex scandals that have been rocking the Catholic Church in recent weeks.
We can turn on the radio to almost any type of station and listen to the comments of the talk show hosts - full of opinions on matters of sexual indiscretion.
It’s a sad fact that within the Fundamentalist Evangelical circles more than one of our leaders has fallen into sin.
But the failure of a married man’s fidelity and the use and abuse of minors strike two different distinct tones.
This is not to say one sin is greater than the other, but I believe there is a strong dynamic that cannot be overlooked if we are to fairly evaluate these situations.
The scriptures tell us clearly that men are drawn away by their own lusts after being tempted: “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” James 1:14
We can see the fragility of flesh when religious leaders fall into sin thinking they can get away with it - or somehow reason their way through it.
Actually the problems of sexual misconduct from within the ascetic monastic groups have come from the abandonment of the Biblical mandate from G-d. They have been embracing the Gnostic elements of celibacy - in the name of seeking G-d and His righteousness by denying themselves “the pleasure of the flesh.”
Back during creation, G-d established a pattern of marriage and family by first stating that man would be created in “our image” or the triune nature of the G-dhead. “And G-d said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” Genesis 1:26
We know from Gen. 1:1-2 that G-d created the heavens and the earth and the Spirit of G-d hovered, or brooded over the waters of the earth. We further know that Jesus was the Lamb that was slain before the foundation of the earth. “…whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelation 13:8
This is the first step in keeping in Biblical guidelines of marriage and family. This is because G-d as Father and Creator has His son Jesus our intercessor, and we, as believers, are the Bride of Christ. This is shown throughout the New Testament: “…coming from G-d out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” Revelation 21:2 “…Come hither, I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's wife.” Revelation 21:9 “And the Spirit and the bride say…” Revelation 22:17
Gen. 2:18 tells us after the creation of man, “And the L-RD G-d said, it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” G-d went as far as taking a rib right from Adam. Genesis 2:22 - and after her creation, “And Adam said, this is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.” Genesis 2:23
This is critical because G-d established the relationship of man and wife being bonded together for completeness as husband and wife united. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are united, and finally one day soon the bridegroom Jesus will be returning for His Church, the Bride.
Church fathers moved away from this very key part of G-d’s word when they required ”men of the cloth” to take a celibacy vow in order not to become distracted from G-d’s work.
The foundation of this belief stemmed from the negative connotation of women in the Bible such as Eve who sinned, Jezebel, Delilah, and a host of others whom were troubled.
Why should a man called to the ministry be deprived of a helpmate and resource of strength?
The Apostle Paul warned us that there would be those who would come forbidding marrying. (I Tim. 4:3) Many of those who forbid ministers to marry, embraced Peter as the pillar of their church, a married man, by the way.
Prov. 18:22 clearly tells us “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the L-RD.” - so the scriptures do not indicate a code of celibacy.
Also, the minister is not just deprived of a helpmate but also he is being asked to suppress his normal body function - created and instilled in him by G-d.
It is no wonder babies are born out of wedlock, and little boys are seduced within the four walls of the church.
The men who perpetrate these acts have tried to alter G-d’s plan for men in marriage, thus suppressing a natural drive that somehow must be satisfied - unfortunately most times in alternative actions.
Paul wrote, “Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Eph. 5:33 Peter wrote “Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” I Peter 3:7
There is nothing negative in the Scriptures to be considered about the man of G-d being married. In fact this brief overview of the Scriptures only lends credence to the concept of the man of G-d being married, having a helpmate and the strength of this union being fruitful.
I do not know how these incidents will play out in the near future, but I think as the stories are coming to public knowledge, it is time for serious review of church leadership that is in direct conflict with the Scriptures.
We must look at these men who have erred and fallen in the light of a very simple premise “bad theology makes good people do bad things”.
Men who are called to the ministry need the love and support of a helpmate for completing the job G-d has called them to do.
It is time to move away from dogma and man’s opinion that have developed into church doctrine. We must return to the faith once delivered to the apostles and prophets: “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone.” Eph 2:20
This will eliminate the problems and allow us to live in the freedom to serve the living G-d.