Update: Ravi turned out to be a sexual predator. With that information, I have deleted any post or mention of him on this blog.
1st Timothy 5:19-20 says, "Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. 20 But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning."
Mike Winger reads the report on his YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/PcWeZS3cnNo
It’s said that you should never meet your heroes. Why? They will fail you in their humanity.
We put famous people on a pedestal and are surprised when they fall off. It’s worse when a Christian falls off the pedestal.
Christians stand for something and someone other than themselves. When they fail catastrophically, it puts Jesus in a bad light to the world. Younger Christians like Carl Lentz or John Crist made ripples when they fell.
A hip pastor and a comedian. I barely blinked. However, when one of my evangelical/apologist heroes, Ravi, fell, that broke my heart.
The implications and damage done are still being determined. It was an abuse of power that victimized many women.
Personally, it’s harder for me to listen to his podcasts now. I doubt I’ll review his books like I planned too.
His supporters are leaving him and Christian radio is dropping his shows.
He was an evangelical superhero.
I’m going with what Pastor Rod taught about having a system in place to keep you from falling. Billy Graham and his team crafted the Modesto Manifesto for them as they went worldwide on the Crusades. It all comes down to accountability.
Human heroes will fail. Only one person didn’t, and that’s Jesus. Even all twelve of his disciples failed, but all but one was redeemed and did great things.
Even while failing in the middle of it.
The main story isn’t that a Christian failed but the God who can save and restore them. They will have to earn the trust back again.
But God can save anyone. Even you.
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