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Ted Haggard's new video: Martha Stewart & Michael Vick got restored -- so why not me?
westword.com ^ | Wed., Feb. 16 2011 | Michael Roberts

Posted on 02/16/2011 3:37:03 PM PST by Gamecock

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To: mountainbunny
Haggard didn't cheat on an investment or abuse a dog. He betrayed a huge congregation and, by extension, as head of the NAE, he betrayed millions of believers who placed their trust in him. He didn't just break a rule. He was exposed as being the exact opposite of the Christian paragon he claimed to be.

When exposed, he lied and lied and lied until the proof came out. Then, he tried to act the victim.

He secretly did any dishonest, disgusting and vile thing he felt like and wanted to still keep his cushy, high profile position.

He's lucky that he wasn't demolished by fire and brimstone from Heaven. I don't blame those who were truly injured by this unrepentant, lying charlatan and have a hard time forgiving.

As a Christian, why don't you extend the forgiveness to them that you claim they are denying to Haggard? If he hasn't been "restored" perhaps it's because the Almighty knows something that we don't.

21 posted on 02/16/2011 6:09:44 PM PST by Dr. Thorne (Buy Gold and Guns Now!)
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To: Gamecock

The simple truth is he cannot play quarterback as well as Vick, and he cannot get viewers/readers like Martha. Life is like the La Cosa Nostra. If you earn you stay around, if not you get wacked.


22 posted on 02/16/2011 6:56:05 PM PST by gusty
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To: Gamecock

Well, for one thing Martha Stewart was railroaded and the victim of horrible legal advice. She just stumbled into a very unfortunate situation that spun out of control. Nobody thought for a moment that she was a pervert with a disgusting secret life.


23 posted on 02/16/2011 8:14:27 PM PST by Minn
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To: mountainbunny
When he says that Martha Stewart & Michael Vick were “restored”, I think he means that they were accepted back into society whereas he has not been.

When evangelical Christians speak of being "restored," often what they mean is being put back in the position of authority they held, e.g. prior to disgracing oneself by an act of sin that became public.

When Paul speaks of restoring someone (e.g. in Galatians ch. 6), he means that the breach in fellowship that has been caused by sin is repaired by public repentance and forgiveness, and that person is accepted back into the church. It does not mean that you are entitled to your old job, if you held a church office previously. One of the qualifications for church leaders is marital fidelity. Obviously, getting caught with a gay prostitute isn't that.

My understanding is that Haggard refused the disciplinary procedures that his old church initiated. If that is accurate, then his "treatment" at the hands of other Christians is a situation of his own making. I find it hard to be sympathetic.

24 posted on 02/16/2011 10:44:59 PM PST by RansomOttawa (tm)
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To: Gamecock
Well, Ministers of God’s Word are supposed to be held to a higher standard than NFL players, TV hostesses and politicians.

Sorry Colonel, i have a bit of difficulty with the last one. We have the national difficulties that we have because we selected political leaders who we normally wouldn't trust to babysit our children.

25 posted on 02/17/2011 1:30:45 AM PST by Calvinist_Dark_Lord ((I have come here to kick @$$ and chew bubblegum...and I'm all outta bubblegum! ~Roddy Piper))
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To: mountainbunny

I watched the video. I did NOT see a man with Godly repentance for what he had done. By his words and body language I saw an man embittered that he was caught and lost his standing among men. His words and attitude on the video show his repulsion, not at his sin, but at the body of Christ. He is lashing out at the church. If he were right with God, he would be at peace with things, no matter if everyone turned their back on him.

Christ did no wrong and yet His people did much worse to Him than they did to Ted. Jesus didn’t go around calling His disciples names with a bitter attitude.

Before Ted can be “restored” to the church, he must first be restored to God. I do not know his heart, none of us does, but what comes from his lips shows that he is in dire need of God’s true peace and contentment.

Forgiveness only comes after true repentance and confession.


26 posted on 02/17/2011 3:57:06 AM PST by lupie
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To: Gamecock

Don’t cha just feel Ted’s humility and repentence oozing through.


27 posted on 02/17/2011 4:01:46 AM PST by circlecity
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To: Responsibility2nd

Cause you’re white. Cause you’re Christian.

I can think of other reasons - but this will do for a start.

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Um. Doesn’t Martha Stewart fit both of those categories?

I think the bar for redemption might be set a little higher in the public’s eye for the head of an evangelical organization, who rails against homosexuality, while lying about his involvement in meth fueled romps with a male prostitute. I know it is for me.


28 posted on 02/17/2011 8:32:14 AM PST by dmz
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To: Calvinist_Dark_Lord

I think we are talking apples and oranges.

Sure pols should be held to a high standard.

But Scripture teaches those in authouruty in the church are held to a high standard in God’s kingdom.

(BTW, missed seeing you around these parts!)


29 posted on 02/17/2011 11:34:17 AM PST by Gamecock (The resurrection of Jesus Christ is both historically credible and existentially satisfying. T.K.)
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