“Roy Moore and the gender divide within evangelicalism”
I really appreciated this article and I am quite grateful there IS a divide within evangelicalism. Grateful too for Karen’s words in the article, “Liberty University Professor Karen Swallow Prior said too many Christians are being dismissive of the women — a reversal from how they responded to accusations against liberal entertainers and Hollywood executives.”
I am actually reeling, angry, hurt, deeply disappointed by the response coming from many. It is one thing to withhold judgment or to believe in Moore’s innocence and an entirely different matter to attack women as a whole, to reveal one’s heart with harsh words like “women always lie, women are deceitful, delusional, go back to the kitchen,” all the way down the rabbit hole to outright declarations about how women better shut up and rape threats of one’s very own.
Wowsers.
You know, the bible says, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.” Luke 6:45
Judge Moore is not really the one on trial here, the heart of conservative Christianity is. That heart is pretty dark and ugly right now and on full display in the court of public opinion. It’s not a heart I want to claim, not a heart I want to intercede for. It’s a heart I want to flee from.
I can’t even imagine what wounded women are going through right now, what it must be like to reach for Christ only to be greeted by what appears to be a harsh and judgmental church, a church condemning of women, a church far more interested in politics and waging a gender war than they are in the Good News or the healing power of Jesus Christ.
We can do better. We’re called to do so, so much better.
See, there's this thing called biology... 
It’s a question of the church’s priorities – whether it will choose political victory or societal holiness and the reputation of the church (and how lasting victory bought at such an expense will be).
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Hi IB: I don’t wish to comment too much on this topic, except to say what a mess the situation of man / church / Government is in. Perhaps the church leadership needs to get together, have a prayer meeting for as long as it takes for them to hear the Truth from the Spirit of God on this entire episode. He still does speak Truth, we need to listen.
Now, my actual purpose in commenting, before my fingers ran amuk here. I really appreciate how you right on any current topic in life, in the news or elsewhere. You don’t avoid, or back away from any issues. Thank you, for the food for thought you continually present, no backing away, no hiding.
George
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Be encouraged, IB. Here’s an article that gives a good perspective: ‘ “Predatory, soul twisting”: Southern Baptist leader slams Christians for supporting Roy Moore’.
That being said, assuming the accusations are true, I am pretty upset with the (first?) accuser’s mother. What was she thinking, let her under age daughter date an older man? Did she think he would take her to dinner because he found her conversation so scintillating? I’m sorry, but there needs to be the exercise of some common sense, if not by the young and easily influenced teen, then by her mother.
Becky
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Excellent article. Thanks for pointing us in that direction.
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It’s a good thing God sent his Son who was completely blameless, so no one could question the message.
Oh, snap- you mean humans killed him ANYWAY??? Wait, I think there’s a theme happening here, give me a sec….🤔🙄
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I haven’t read the accusations. All we are thinking of is how Vice President Pence was slammed because he said he won’t go to dinner with another woman since he is married.
There is no doubt a lot of sexual abuse out there…..I know I was groped as a pre-teen and teen. I knew enough to FLEE. In college, I also had to leave when on a date or two because the guys made inappropriate advances. Once, a supervisor made advances in front of my husband! For real??? I knew to NEVER be alone with him….
Praying our God surrounds all victims and innocently accused people. It’s so sad that this has become the latest “vogue” thing to do.
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The thing about our Vice President makes me laugh quite a bit. Our culture has no barriers and it seems we are expected to understand that there are barriers when society has told us there were no barriers any where.
It reminds me of Kevin Spacey’s “excuse”…”but I was drunk”. It is already well-established that being drunk is already to put yourself in a sinful state already. But society hates Christianity teaching things are sinful.
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While I’d like to give Moore the benefit of the doubt along with former head of Amazon studios, Roy Price (and George Takei as well)…IFF these entire allegations were meant as a political smear against him and are false, they are working incredibly well because it is proving that Judge Moore does not reflect the values he is campaigning to defend at all.
His wife is either a) lying and being deceitful or b) a complete and total kook who does not understand Gadsden county. Eve led the man into sin and here, Kayla, by lying about the pastors of the churches who came out with support of Moore (allegedly after the allegations, for those who actually did, it was before the allegations surfaced) and then also showing ignorance about Olde Hickory restaurant, is leading Judge Moore into sinning himself. How can a man be a man when he is letting his wife lead him into sin. I’m not even insisting that women always lead men into sin but here, his wife is really leading him into sin. Men need to step up and be leaders and dump this guy.
The entire allegations against Moore are just so disturbing and watching both him and his wife fall back behind their political positions and say Christianity is under attack and etc., etc….The press, Christianity, Gadsden county, Gadsden county police, Left-wing politics, AND Roy and Kayla Moore are all being indicted here.
I ain’t a Republican nor an Alabamian fortunately, so it’s far easier for me to dump him.
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I am personally sick of how the good ole boy system works here. Those who proclaim to be the most conservative Christians and supposedly call sin out for what it is then defend sin because one of their buddies is guilty of something. I’m glad to say there are a few conservatives who do not stand for this kind of garbage.
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https://www.thedailybeast.com/steve-bannon-and-allies-have-second-thoughts-about-roy-moore-sources-say
I hope that the source close to Bannon is telling the truth about Bannon’s thoughts on Moore and it is great to see that the demonic “justice” is now at the top of Bannon’s literal hit-list (and is the sole one).
If he does end up murdering the “judge”, I guess he could point out that this was an act of vigilante justice and maybe go scott-free.
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Thank you for this.
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We can do better. Jesus calls on us to do better. Keep up the good fight. God is with you.
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I too am reeling, angry, hurt, deeply disappointed by the response coming from many, especially Christians here too IB.
Problem, I think, is that too many Chritians elevate their politics above their faith too much of the time.
Sure, these women could by lying but to automatically assume they are is wrong and victim blaming which is abhorrent.
Too bad culture expects people to react exactly as they are.
It may sound cliche but I really think people should ask WWJD before they weigh in. Jesus, I assume, would be much more objective and empathetic than most of us are.
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I don’t immediately believe the women, but nor would I call them liars. The Bible says to reserve judgment, to weigh things cautiously. I think to immediately believe them is not good. Nor do I believe we should rush to crucify people, Hollywood or otherwise until all the facts are seen and heard. If we do, then we could be found liars. Whether its Harvey Weinstein or Roy Moore, a person comes to judgment awaiting the weighing of evidence. The problem is we want to rush to accuse people before this happens.
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Thanks for the thought provoking article. I have read much and thought about this a lot. Jesus clearly takes the side of women and children. Perhaps some of it came out of what happened to his mother. I believe it came from God.
We all need to be careful about the motivation here. Justice will be delivered, one way or another.
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“Judge Moore is not really the one on trial here, the heart of conservative Christianity is. That heart is pretty dark and ugly right now and on full display in the court of public opinion. It’s not a heart I want to claim, not a heart I want to intercede for. It’s a heart I want to flee from.”
Amen, IB. That’s always the point in these situations. We need to always judge our own hearts when we hear these things.
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I think your post is right about we need to be careful with the whole thing; there shouldn’t be a deriding of all woman for the sake of defense of Moore.
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Consider that The Washington Post is highly biased and no friend of Judge Roy Moore, anything he stands for, and anyone who stands with him. Similarly, that paper is an enemy of President Donald Trump.
There are two issues:
1. Is Moore guilty? The answer is we don’t know. Because The Washington Post leveled its charges at the last minute, who has time to investigate?
2. Is Moore a better choice than the guy he is running against? A Liberal Democrat? Endorsed by The Washington Post? Isn’t that a nobrainer?
Feelings are important, but truth matters. The Washington Post is about feelings, emotional manipulation, not truth.
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