I read about the sexual abuse in a large denomination and my heart grieved.(1) Sexual abuse is an evil crime from the pit of hell. And the fact that it was perpetrated by men in positions of church leadership makes it worse.
I pray that the guilty parties will be brought to justice for their crimes. And I'm glad that God judges hypocritical teachers and leaders more strictly than other sinners (Matthew 23:14; James 3:1).(2)
Their hypocrisy not only damages their victim's lives, it brings shame to the gospel.
This latest situation will generate greater disrespect for Christianity, and, as always, people will blame the biblical principles of male leadership and submission.
But that couldn't be further from the truth.
If submission were the problem, we wouldn't see so much sexual abuse in our secular, anti-Bible, feminist culture.
Feminism doesn't stop abuse and submission doesn't cause it.
Sexual abuse is caused by sinful people who violate biblical commands, not by people who obey them.(3)
We must never defend or cover up the sins of Christian leaders. But we must place the blame where it belongs, on the sinful men, not on God's Word.
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(1) Southern Baptists Refused to Act on Abuse.
(2) In addition, God considers child abuse especially evil (Matthew 18:6). God does not view all sins equally. For more on that, see All Sins are Not the Same.
(3) Submission as defined in Scripture is loving and purposeful. When men abuse it, they are not following Scripture. To read about the beauty of biblical submission see Biblical Submission, A Collection of Helpful Devotions.
Ah what a sad situation. It's important to understand that sin must be judged and not covered up. Be sure your sin will find you out.
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