Scandals! Scandals! And More Scandals!

The media word of the week is “Scandal.”  Everywhere you turn.  Internet. Cable news. Talk radio. Print media.  Everyone is talking about Scandals.  From the White House to the State Department to the IRS.  We’re hearing about all these scandals.  In his daily commentary, Syndicated Columnist Cal Thomas shared some interesting insights today.  

I’m always amused when the word “Scandal” is so easily applied to news stories, as it is now with the Benghazi, IRS targeting conversation groups and the Justice department accessing phone records of associated press reports and editors.

Here’s how dictionary.com defines “scandal:” “A disgraceful or discreditable action…an offense caused by a fault or misdeed; damage of reputation; public disgrace.”

Don’t all of these require a standard by which scandal can be measured?  We are rapidly dismantling all standards that apply to just about everything which itself might be called scandalous.  Appeals to that standard when it comes to sex, or marriage, or abortion, or bad language, usually fall on deaf ears in an age when personal comfort and pleasure are supreme.

So why is anything scandalous?  Who is to say and according to what standard?  Who gets to set the standard?  Opinion polls? Culture?  You? Me? God?  We have largely forgotten God and that is the biggest scandal of all. 

Mr. Thomas’ point is well stated.  When boundaries are moved and truth becomes relative, why is anything wrong?  Or unethical?  Or dare I say it, sinful?

Occasionally I receive criticism on this blog for appealing to the Bible.  Most of it reflects a lack of understanding regarding differences between the two testaments and the authority of Jesus Christ today.  He confidently and calmly affirmed,” I am the way, truth, the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me.”  Yes, I know that is offensive to Jews and Muslims.  And it is irritating, illogical and foolishness to atheists and infidels.  But it is the truth.

For most of  200 years our country has largely embraced the morality of the Christian ethic.  It is evidenced in our laws.  Traditions.  And culture.  Our pledge of allegiance acknowledges God.  So does the inscription on our money.  And our national motto– “In God we Trust.”

Yes, the scandal is that we have ignored God. Disregarded God.  Or forgotten God. But He hasn’t forgotten us.

Interestingly the English word “scandal” has its roots in a Greek word “skándalon”.  It literally refers to the removable stick or trigger on a trap.  The word was used in the Bible 44 times to speak of one being entrapped by sin or ensnared by error.  It speaks of a moral or ethical failure.

While the current crises in Washington certainly may involve political scandal, they don’t begin to rise to the level of moral scandals rampant in our land today.

It’s scandalous when parents provide little or no moral teaching for the children, but are quick to provide protection to engage in sexual immorality.

It’s scandalous that physicians like Kermit Gosnell butcher babies under the guise of a woman’s right to choose.

It’s scandalous when the honorable estate of marriage is ignored by couples living together.

It’s scandalous when the sanctity of marriage is soiled by easy divorce, adultery, and unloving attitudes.

It’s scandalous when marriage between a man and a woman is redefined to include same-sex marriage.

It’s scandalous when teachers, preachers and political leaders violate our trust, abuse their power and dishonor their profession.

It’s scandalous when the entertainment industry produces moral filth and people flock to be amused by it.

Yes, we have right to be concerned, or even outraged about Washington D.C. scandals, but we ought to be more concerned about the moral scandals of our society.  Our communities.  Our own hearts.

Oh, and isn’t it also scandalous when Christians feign outrage at the immorality of our society and yet are guilty of engaging in the same sins themselves? (Rom. 2:1)

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman