Grace Towards Those Who Stumble

Years ago I talked with prolific author Philip Yancey for a story in Christianity Today. It concerned the unusual step of one of his books making its debut in South America rather than the U.S.

Because Yancey was an editor-at-large for CT at the time, connecting with him to get a comment was easier than is customary with high-profile figures.

While freelance writers are supposed to be “just the facts” gatherers, before we ended our brief talk, I had to slip in a note of admiration. I told Yancey that I had read several of his books and thought he was an amazing writer.

“Well, as you know, journalism is hard work,” he replied.

“Journalism?” I thought. “I do journalism. You write colorful, detailed, descriptive, thoroughly engaging books. I can only hope to aspire to the level of what you describe as journalism.”

Sadness Over Falling

In addition to my own reading, over the years my men’s small group had explored a couple of Yancey’s works in weekly, in-depth discussions.

So when I accidentally discovered in late January that he had stepped away from speaking and writing after confessing to an eight-year-long affair, my jaw dropped.

I quickly Googled his name and “affair” and learned that he had sent a statement to CT the first week of January.

As I read his words and his wife’s statement that she would continue to honor her 55-year-long marital vows, I felt a mixture of sadness and alarm.

Sadness that a man so talented had strayed so badly—and that his renown means his mistake will give the church a bigger black eye than the average person’s failing.

The alarm comes from recognizing that I am susceptible to the same temptations that tripped him up.

For years, there has been talk of revival, but it often comes with a caveat: that it needs to start with the church. Look around, and you will see:

• The divorce rate among church members isn’t that much lower than the world’s
• Numerous megachurch pastors and other leaders have resigned in disgrace for sexual affairs or financial mismanagement; some have even gone to prison for their misdeeds
• Many church households are burdened with as much credit card and other debt as the average person down the street

God’s Judgment

I could go on, but the point is that we can’t expect the world to be impressed with church folk who don’t act much differently than everyone else.

To quote Scripture, 1 Peter 4:17 phrases it well: “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God” (MEV). 1 Corinthians 11:31–32 adds: “If we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged” (emphasis added).

I also like this passage from Hebrews 12:5–6: “My son, do not despise the discipline from the Lord, nor grow weary when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He disciplines, and scourges every son whom He receives.”

When I survey some of the sad events surrounding church life in this modern age, I wonder how much of the wreckage stems from God’s discipline.

The one thing I find comfort in is knowing that the Lord accepts us, warts and all, and forgives those who put their faith in His Son, Jesus.

Few of us could withstand the scrutiny that accompanies celebrity. So we dare not be too harsh towards those in the limelight who have fallen.