Shattered Images

In the public affairs of our time the projection of a favourable image becomes increasingly important for those aspiring to leadership. Charismatic leaders exercise immense influence if their personality wins popular appeal through modern media. Television coverage impresses their image on millions of viewers and they build up a vast supportive following.

This has been notably illustrated in recent years in the United States, where politicians and preachers have used television appearances to adroit advantage. President Reagan has been called "the great communicator" because of his skill in projecting an image of sincerity and concern for traditional values. Popular evangelists have built up audiences of millions of loyal viewers, who regularly relate to their programmes and give lavish financial support.

Within recent months, however, there have been two dramatic examples in the United States of illustrious images being suddenly shattered, one in the political world and another in the religious world. Sadly and significantly the cause in each case was admitted or strongly suspected moral failure.

On the political side, the frontrunner candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, Gary Hart, had made an outstanding impression.

Yet within one week he was compelled to withdraw from the contest. Through being found in compromising circumstances publicised by the media, he became a liability to his party rather than an asset. Defiantly he insisted, "I've made some mistakes ... maybe big mistakes, but not bad mistakes... Adultery is not a crime. It's a sin. And that is between me and Lee (his wife) and me and God".

Public reaction to Hart's downfall was revealing. One opinion poll indicated that "by a ratio of roughly ten to one, those polled said they would be more troubled by Hart's not telling the truth than by any extra-marital sexual relations". Ten outstanding Americans were canvassed for their opinion. Not one of them gave any emphasis to the seriousness of moral evil in God's sight, or the importance of a virtuous example in public leadership. Rather there was criticism of "old-fashioned, puritanical pieces of evidence", and the cynical comment that "Hart is being judged by standards that at least half our Presidents would fail"!

To all whose standards are governed by Scripture, the tolerance of sexual permissiveness is deplorable. Its prevalence among many in political leadership reflects the truth that "the whole world lieth in the evil one" (1 John 5:19). "The lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the vainglory of life" are compelling forces in our society; they are not of the Father, but of the world (1 John 2:16). By contrast, through God's precious and exceeding great promises we as believers may escape "from the corruption that is in the world by lust" (2 Pet. 1:4).

Turning to the religious scene in the United States, we have the shattered image of Jim Bakker, for thirteen years leading evangelist on the PTL (Praise the Lord or People that Love) Broadcasts. This cable network reaches 13.5 million households, and in 1986 mailed contributions were reported to total 129 million dollars. Bakker resigned in March 1987, after admitting that he had been guilty of adultery in 1980 and paid 265,000 dollars "hush money" to conceal his failure. The Executive Presbytery of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God expelled Bakker for these offences, and also for "alleged misconduct involving bisexual activity". Investigations following Bakker's resignation further revealed "outrageous and indefensible" allocations of money to Bakker and his wife -4.8 million dollars in three years!

It is deeply saddening that human failure should so besmirch the image of evangelism in North America. The world tends to lump together all evangelical causes and judge them as a whole. In' his great treatise to the Romans, Paul chided the Jew for hypocrisy: "If thou... gloriest in God... and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light to them that are in darkness ... thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?... The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you" (Rom. 2: 17-24).There is no shortage today of cynical commentators ready to decry the gospel of Christ because of Bakker's shattered image. Salutary warning for all who witness for Christ, that our manner of life should be worthy of the message!

By God's grace the gospel of the glory of the blessed God will continue to be declared in power by all who live out its truths in genuine Christian experience. Putting on the new man, which is being renewed in the image of Him that created him.

unknown | Sept 1987
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