Who we criticize and why: Ravi & James
In the last weeks I have observed something strange and troubling. Christians across the continent have been weighing in on two figures: Ravi Zacharias and James Coates.
I have been amazed at the number of Christians coming to Ravi's defence. Many of those who do are willing to admit (with sorrow that) they believe the reports are true and that Ravi was probably guilty of all kinds of sexual immorality. Still they defend him. They don't defend his actions but they are quick to say things like:
- he was still a great apologist;
- he was wonderfully used of God;
- he needed help as we all do;
- he was a sinner as we all are;
- he was saved by grace.
At the same time I have been amazed (and sickened) by the number of Christians attacking James Coates. They know he has acted in the service of Christ, they know that he is morally above reproach, and they know that he is in prison for gathering his congregation for worship. Still, they criticize him. They say things like:
- he wants to be a martyr;
- he is justly in prison for violating provincial regulations;
- he is putting lives in jeopardy;
- he is not being persecuted;
- he should have obeyed the government.
Interesting isn't it how quick Christians are to defend their leaders who have morally failed? I have seen it over and over again. And its particularly interesting in light of the fact that those same Christians are sometimes equally quick to attack and criticize morally upright leaders whose only 'sin' is that they are truly principled.
Why?
Who we criticize says something about us.
Many Christians see themselves in Ravi. They see a flawed man who 'struggled' with sin. They can identify with that. They can identify with the sexual immorality bit even if they can't identify with the particulars. They can identify with failure and sin. And they are comforted with the notion that such a man may still be in heaven. He was, like them, a "sinner saved by grace." Of course, they are wrong. Without holiness no one will see the Lord. Though he professed that he knew God, in works Ravi denied Him (Titus 1:16). He - allegedly - lived a (secret) life of bondage to sin. That is the character of an unregenerate man not a saved man.
So why the criticism of a man like James Coates? Because so few Christians see themselves in him.
His courage is a rebuke to their cowardice. His principles are a rebuke to their compromise. His willingness to suffer is a rebuke to their love of ease. His "choosing rather to suffer affliction" is a rebuke to their covetousness. His desire for "a better country, that is, an heavenly" is a rebuke to their love of the world.
What James has done makes every compromised believer feel uncomfortable. They see in him something that they do not see in themselves. They see commitment, perseverance, holiness, courage, and valour; and it comes as a prick upon the conscience.
And so they are left with two choices. Either imitate him or criticize him. Either follow him down into death or blame him. The easier way - of course - is the latter. No wonder, then, that so many have chosen to take it.
No wonder if a morally lazy, laodicean, sardis-like Church should defend a moral failure while attacking a man of God.
It says something about the state of the Church and comes as reminder that we still badly need revival.
Truth !
ReplyDeleteNobody is above the law.
DeleteNot even pastors.
Jenny that is an interesting comment. So, if your pastor were arrested and put in a concentration camp for hiding Jews you would say to those who defended him, "Nobody is above the law"? A few things to keep in mind. First, morality is not defined by the government or the law (of any country). It is defined by God. Second, James Coates has not violated the criminal code. These regulations have not been written into law. In fact, they are violation of the Charter. Third, it is the very nature of tyrannical governments to take it upon themselves to define what is right and what is wrong. If someone were defending a pastor who was in jail for robbing a bank I would agree with you, but my agreement would be qualified by the three points I just made. I would agree with you, first, because the law in that case would be upholding the law of God. God forbids us from stealing. I would agree with you, second, because in that case his actions would be a violation of the criminal code. I would agree with you, third, because in that case it would not be the government defining morality but (as above) upholding it as defined by the Bible. But your statement on its own is frightening! Suppose a pastor were thrown in prison for simply for sharing the gospel. Are you really going to say "nobody is above the law - not even pastors?"
DeleteThank you brother!
ReplyDeleteI agree this is a helpful comparison. I personally haven't seen the defence of Ravi or the attacks on James, but can well imagine both. Also re Iain D - many wonderful things spoken after his death, then silence from those same places when his wickedness was exposed.
ReplyDeleteContinuing to pray for James and his family and congregation. Have there been any changes to the situation?
"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for their is the kingdom of heaven" - Mt 5:10.
In Christ,
Neil
Thank you Neil. Yes, the silence regarding Iain was quite bizarre and troubling. I have not heard anything new regarding James' situation.
ReplyDeleteIt is of great importance that we as Christians stand on our principles without hypocrisy. I thank you for this article because it reminds me that there are faithful people in Christ who are willing to bare the flames of persecution, not because of fame,.but because of principle.
ReplyDeleteThe saga of Ravi has brought out the delusion of self-righteousness in many Presbyterians like nothing I have ever seen before. Maybe Ravi was not saved, but it was not because he "sinned too much", contrary to the legalists tripping over themselves to condemn him. If he was not saved, it was because he did not believe on the name of Christ and trusted in his own works to save him.
ReplyDeleteWhat is fascinating is that you quoted Titus 1:16, which is talking specifically about Judaizers --- a type of legalist. These individuals had many meritable actions, yet, as Christ said in Matthew 7, he did not know them.
Truly, if you think grace was not sufficient to save Ravi at his worst (and you have certainly implied this) then you certainly to not grasp the gospel, and should be more concerned for your own soul than for Ravi's. Read James and 1 John. It would be good for you.
"Let not many of you be teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive heavier judgment."
Here's a question for you: if Solomon and David at died at their worst points of sinning, would they have gone on to eternal life? Mind you, Solomon even built high places for false gods to appease his wives. Or did they lose their justification and return to it once they ceased from sinning? (If Solomon even ceased from his adultery and fornication --- this is not recorded.)
I am glad you raised James and 1 John.
DeleteThis is from James 2:
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
And then there is 1 John 2:
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
And 1 John 3:
5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
And 1 John 5:
2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
You pointed out Matthew 7. What was missing in those Jesus didn't know? Obedience.
Why did Jesus come? To save us FROM our sin.
Finally look at Hebrews 3:6-19 and Hebrews 6:1-9 and Hebrews 10:26-39 and Hebrews 12:14.
Anonymous, I don't know who you are, but I urge you to carefully pray over these passages. You greatly mistake the gospel if you think it leaves a man bound in sin! That is the lie of cheap grace and it comes from the pit of hell. Either old things have passed away and all things have become new or they haven't. If they haven't all you have is a once born man.
I have no idea why you think quoting "faith without works" is dead supports you. Ravi did have good works. If sinners cannot produce good works then one wonders why James used none other than "Rahab the harlot" as a positive example. Do you think Rahab closed down her brothel immediately after the spies left? She had faith in spite of being a harlot. I would like to think she ceased from harlotry, but the scriptures do not say this.
DeleteLikewise, James uses Abraham as a great example, yet look at how greatly Abraham sinned even after his profession of faith. Did he lose his salvation after sinning?
Also curious that you quote 1 John when these passages condemn legalism. They are either referring to the sinning that only an unbeliever can do, or they are referring to any sin, in which case:
1. John contradicted himself because in his first chapter he said that anyone who says they are without sin is a liar and the truth is not within him.
2. You and I are ruined, because we still sin.
You would do well to digest this quote from James, which he says right before saying that "faith without works is dead":
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."
You appear to pride yourself in not having sinned as badly as Ravi, yet what comfort do you have in light of James' words? You have none. The "best" Christian is just as in need of grace as the "worst" Christian.
"Cheap grace" is a term concocted by legalists who are ignorant of the righteousness of God. In the gospel we see our complete inability to impress God with our works, which means grace is the only means of salvation. There is either grace given freely apart from any human merit, or there is no grace, in which condemnation awaits the sinner. To couch grace in terms of one's obedience is completely misunderstand grace. To those who work, it shall be counted as debt not grace.
I think we are all familiar with the warning passages in Hebrews --- what is your point? Are you a classical Arminian, that you wish to use these to argue that one can lose their salvation if a Christian sins too badly? State what you actually believe. You avoided my question regarding Solomon and David, unsurprisingly.
This will be my last comment on this thread. Further discussion would appear to be futile. However, if you would like to connect with me by phone please email me at faithpresbyteriantillsonburg@gmail.com with your number and I would be glad to talk these things over with you further. To your last point, I think it is dangerous to build a case from the story of Solomon. What is unclear in Scripture should be interpreted by what is clear. The Bible is clear that those who persist in a course of sin will go to hell.
DeleteIn the case of David, our puritan forefathers were unequivocal. They noted that his sin with Bathsheba and against Uriah was never repeated. He repented and never returned to it. In the case of Ravi we have a pattern of sin hidden and carefully covered up. David's story is a comfort only to those who having sinned have repented and never returned to it.
For those who follow you, why not take the time to correct us on what Anonymous has shared? Why are you asking Anonymous to call you privately? You must know that this is an attempt by you to sidestep some very serious and credible concerns. As soon as things get a little difficult you avoid the issue. Please share with us what you think. If you post something, you have a responsibility to address the comments. At what point does a Christian lose salvation?
DeleteLike everyone, David, sinned until the moment of his death. Like us, he had sins he could not have repented from - those sins he committed just before he died.
Just another demonstration of the inability of Christians to demonstrate the Holy Spirit bestows any power or advantage at all.
ReplyDeleteThe Scripture says to examine yourselves and also to take heed lest you fall. For me I am concerned whether I am close to Christ. Lord allow me to be a light in the darkness and not part of the darkness. Allow my thinking and life to resemble your ideas and wishes. Hold me close and where u r I wish to be.
ReplyDeleteThe warning of Scripture is when the church rejects the guidance of God's Law, she will call evil good and good evil, light darkness and darkness light. (cf. Romans 7:7-12; Romans 8:7; Psalm 19:7-14.)
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the case of Israel Folau who posted a bible verse of social media. His rugby career was destroyed because it mentioned homosexuals.
ReplyDeleteYet another rugby player who was caught drunk driving people were far more forgiving and he went back to playing rugby.
Why the contrast? Because Israel Folau made people feel bad about themselves so they savaged him. The drunk driver rugby player made people feel good about themselves. "I'm not as bad as him"
Very clearly stated. From my days as a fraud investigator we were taught and a common thread seen by interrogators - those that are in the wrong will strongly defend the wrong.
ReplyDeleteThank you Elena.
Delete