Ted Haggard: A Return to Honor?

January 29, 2009

Ted Haggard is back. He’s not back in the pulpit, not yet. He’s all over television.

He’s “disgraced,” according to the media. It recognizes disgrace when an avowed Christian sins. All other forms of behavior are to be tolerated as personal lifestyle choices.

Haggard, the former pastor of a megachurch in Colorado and the former head of the National Association of Evangelicals, was exposed for alleged inappropriate contact with a young man. He accepted counseling and money from his church. The young man accepted money to keep quiet.

Alexandra Pelosi, the Speaker’s daughter, has done a documentary on Haggard for HBO in which he talks about his struggles with same-sex attraction. And yesterday he was on Oprah, who tolerates everything.

Remember when people who committed shameful deeds hid themselves from the public? That was when there was such a thing as shame. Now, only fame matters. It doesn’t matter why you’re famous, only that you’re famous. The Haggard affair allows the nonbeliever to laugh and mock Christians and justify their unbelief. But keep in mind, we may fail, but Jesus never fails.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.