The Hall of Shame

Any casual news observer must agree that the number of stories accusing men of sexual misconduct is far from casual. It is alarming!  Every day there are new men added to this hall of shame.  In no particular order there is Star Trek icon George Takei, accused of sexual assault.  Comedian Louis C.K. has said the sexual misconduct allegations levied against him are true.  Added to the list is Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, and even George Bush.  CNN has a more complete list here.

What are Christians to make of all this?  Personally I feel self-righteously pharisee’n.  My initial reaction is that in a world where sex is no less sacred than a game of tennis; in a world where sex is lust without boundaries; in a world where God’s purpose for sex and marriage is not only ignored, but openly mocked; and in a world where people are not much different than your junkyard dog – what’s all the fuss?

My pomposity falls like autumn leaves in the wind when I consider the record of so-called Christians.  The Church has a pretty tainted history in matters of sexual misconduct.  But the fuss in this current exposé appears to have nothing to do with deprave sexual conduct.  The fuss is about consent.  Our society assumes that anything is permissible as long as there is consent.  None of these men would be before the court of popular opinion if their intended targets had concurred with their perversion.

The problem of using the criteria of consent can be summed up this way: Consent may comply with legal requirements and be totally opposed to ethical standards. Consent is the willingness of the parties involved.  To clarify: the standard being upheld in these cases is the human will.  Here is what Christians ought to notice: When you crown the human will, any eventuality is possible. 

The human will is not the boss.  (As long as there is consent)

The human emotion is not the boss.  (If it feels right)

The human heart is not the boss. (As long as they love each other)

The human government is not the boss. (It is legal)

The human court of opinion is not the boss. (Everybody does it)

Christians should not fall prey to the rhetoric in these cases.  God’s standard of conduct trumps consent -- every time.

“Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.” (Hebrews 13:4, NIV)