The Church is not immune to scandal. Christians, like everyone, are sinners. Nevertheless, many Christians suffer disappointment, even abandon their faith, when a prominent Christian leader is exposed as a liar, pervert, or thief. What can Christians do to prevent their faith from being swayed by the un-Christian conduct of trusted pastors, leaders, or friends?

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“The Church is like Noah’s ark,” said Reinhold Niebuhr. “If it weren’t for the storm outside, we couldn’t stand the stink inside.” 1

Anyone who’s been a part of the Church for any amount of time, is familiar with the “stink” of religious life. People let you down, they disappoint. Some, abuse their power. Others connive and deceive. The Church, like every other institution, suffers from the humans who comprise it.

Nevertheless, like Noah’s ark, the answer is not to leave the boat. Sadly, many do.

Statistics tell us that church attendance has declined in the United States. Likewise, spiritual deconstruction has resulted in an exodus of exvangelicals from the church. While some have simply transitioned into new denominational affiliations, most have drifted into some form of DIY spiritualism, untethered to organized religion, and awash in pagan thought and practice. The reasons for this religious decline vary. Some report political differences, while others note intellectual doubts and philosophical objections. However, most surveys recognize that “spiritual trauma” or religious “abuse” play a part, often citing institutional scandal as a factor. Why identify with an institution that has so many flaws and failures?

The existence of scandal, hypocrisy, fraud, and deceit in the Church is validation of its message — humans are sinners in need of a savior.

Nevertheless, as painful and disappointing as religious scandals can be, there are very good reasons to remain a Christian. In fact, the existence of scandal, hypocrisy, fraud, and deceit in the Church is validation of its message — humans are sinners in need of a savior.

Author Frederick Buechner wrote that God chooses “…for his holy work in the world… lamebrains and misfits and nitpickers and holier-than-thous and stuffed shirts and odd ducks and egomaniacs and milquetoasts and closet sensualists.” 2 Scripture never portrays the Church as sinlessly perfect. It is comprised of extremely flawed, broken people. In fact, it is our confession of spiritual brokenness, not spiritual perfection, that grants us admission into the Body of Christ.  

While Christians are called to live holy and blameless lives, they are never portrayed as perfect. The apostle James wrote, “We all stumble in many ways” (Jam. 3:2). John said, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us” (I Jn. 1:8 NIV). And the apostle Paul put it bluntly, “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Rom. 3:10). 

Contrary to what some believe, religious works and good moral living is not what makes someone a Christian. The prophet Isaiah declared that “all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Is. 64:6). No amount of “good deeds” can cure us of our condition. The Old Testament sacrificial system, steeped in the blood of animals, could not permanently satisfy the penalty for sin. “For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins,” said the writer of the Book of Hebrews (Heb. 10:4). In the fullness of time, Jesus made atonement for His people (Heb. 2:17-18). Scripture said of Christ, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Cor. 5:21 NIV). The apostle Peter echoed these words saying, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (I Pet. 3:18 NIV). Because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23), no amount of charity or good deeds can make us right before God. The Christian must look to Christ, and His atoning sacrifice, to be made “right.” 

This is why confession of sin plays such a huge part in spiritual health and growth. The Christian must live in a constant penitent state, acknowledging their sinfulness, and regularly turning to Christ for forgiveness. “If we confess our sins,” said the apostle John, “he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9). The writer of Proverbs put it this way: “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy” (Prov. 28:13 NIV). In fact, confession of sin even extends to others. James 5:16 says, “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” Jesus articulated this two-way forgiveness in the Lord’s Prayer when He taught us to pray, “Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” (Matt. 6:12 NLT). Scripture is filled with commands, not just to humbly seek forgiveness from God, but to extend forgiveness to each other (Eph. 4:32; Col. 3:13; Matt. 6:14).

In this sense, the Christian faith is not dependent upon Christian perfection. Sin is the great equalizer. Both the mega-church pastor and the lowliest parishioner are sinners, in need of God’s forgiveness. No Christian celebrity or spiritual leader is above the need for forgiveness.

This is why the Bible reveals its heroes darker sides. None of the saints are untouchable. Noah got drunk (Gen. 9:20-21). King David committed adultery (II Sa. 11). Rahab was a practicing prostitute (Josh. 2:1-24). The prophet Elijah suffered depression and suicidal thoughts (I Kings 19:4-8). Jonah ran from God’s call (Jonah 1). Moses was a murderer (Ex. 2:11-15). The apostle Paul hunted Christians (Acts 22). Peter denied Christ before others (Lk. 22:54-62). Scripture does not paint a pretty picture of its heroes. 

Because of this, we must take care to cultivate realistic expectations of other Christians, especially those in positions of power or celebrity. Yes, Scripture is clear that spiritual leaders will incur greater judgement (Jam. 3:1). Indeed, revelations of public scandal may be part of God’s promise to hold spiritual leaders to account! Meanwhile, the Christian layperson must avoid the temptation to venerate celebrity figures. There is no surer way to disappointment than to cultivate unrealistic expectations for our leaders. “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23) said the apostle. Both the eloquent evangelist and the charismatic worship leader are sinners in need of forgiveness. Of course, low expectations can be equally debilitating. Striving to be Christlike and live with integrity are not unrealistic goals. However, acknowledging people’s quirks, idiosyncrasies, human fallibility, and unrighteousness, allows us to enter into far more realistic relationships with them. Knowing that my senior pastor is a sinner, like me, tempers my expectations. 

We must take care to cultivate realistic expectations of other Christians, especially those in positions of power or celebrity.

Another point to consider here is that the validity of the Christian faith does not rest upon the integrity of its representatives. Fallen men can argue persuasively for the existence of God. Why? Because evidence for the existence of God does not depend on any one person’s moral virtue. Indeed, a holy person can be a persuasive witness for the Almighty. But that person’s defection would not render God non-existent. The existence of God, the Resurrection of Christ, and the reliability of Scripture are not dependent upon the absence of church scandal. Christ’s Resurrection stands or falls on His claims and the historical evidence. The fact that a prominent evangelist or a charismatic worship leader are revealed to be manipulative sex addicts does nothing to change evidence for the Resurrection.  

The person whose faith is shaken because some professing Christian is revealed to be a liar or a pervert demonstrates a misplaced or under-developed faith. Biblical faith rests in God and His promises, not upon His followers. As such, the Christian must learn to personally develop a healthy relationship with God. Learning to hear God’s voice and apply His commands helps one develop such an autonomous relationship. Habits of prayer and Bible study can also help one grow spiritually. Furthermore, being firmly persuaded of our beliefs, the intellectual and philosophical undergirding of the Christian religion, can be tremendously assuring during times of emotional crisis. Frankly, many of those who defect from Christianity because of scandal or disappointment were never properly grounded to begin with! The believer who questions God and His promises just because a popular pastor defects, has not properly grounded themself in God and His promises. 

Frankly, this is one of the terrible fruits of celebrity culture. Even the first-century church was not immune to this phenomena. For example, the apostle Paul scolded the Corinthian Christians for cultivating schisms around popular ministers (I Cor. 3:4-9). Likewise, rather than revering the behind-the-scenes servant leader, Western Christians tend to segregate around “personalities.” We idolize charismatic speakers, media-savvy ministers, and musical performers. Mega-church services now often resemble concerts with smoke machines and multi-media presentations. While such churches may engage spiritual seekers, they also cultivate a celebrity-centricity, elevating Style above Substance, and conditioning members to be spectators rather than participants. 

For this reason, the young Christian must learn to get their eyes off of Man. No, this doesn’t mean we should forsake Christian fellowship and not seek out good teachers and healthy churches. The Bible commands us to remain in close fellowship with other believers (Heb. 10:25). Neither does it mean discipleship and mentoring are unimportant. Being taught by someone more mature in the faith can be invaluable. However, the foundation of the Christian faith is Christ, not Christians.

As the hymnist said,

“My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.

I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”

If a Christian’s “hope” is “built” on something other than Christ, no matter how “sweet the frame,” then it isn’t biblical faith.

Of course, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be deeply disappointed and bothered by scandals. We SHOULD mourn when a prominent, influential Christian publicly confesses sin and/or is exposed. Some breeches of trust are so profound and so sinister, that spiritual discipline is necessary. Holding a fallen spiritual leader to account is not a violation of forgiveness. In fact, protecting abuse victims is a necessary part of such accountability. Being unshaken by scandal does not mean dismissing the culprits or ignoring the victims.

Nevertheless, our faith in God is not dependent upon the absolute integrity of His children. The Church does not stand or fall on the virtue of its members.

This is why, when Christ spoke of the Church, He spoke highly of it, proclaiming that even “the gates of hell will not overcome it” (Matt. 16:18). T.S. Eliot imitated the exuberance of Jesus’ statement when he said, “The True Church can never fail. For it is based upon a rock.” 3 Whereas some use the reality of scandals as evidence that the Church is compromised and failing, Jesus still described it as triumphant. In spite of the “lamebrains and misfits and nitpickers and holier-than thous…” the Church will never die. Even at its worst, “the gates of hell will not overcome it.” This is not a license for laziness and bad behavior. Rather, it is a sober reminder that the strength and vitality of the Church rests entirely in its Maker.

Scandal is a sad reality of our times. No one is immune from it. There is no spiritual leader or charismatic celebrity that is above sin and evil. For this reason, the Christian’s faith must rest in God, not Man. We must be careful to cultivate realistic expectations of other Christians, especially those in positions of power or celebrity. Conversely, this means developing a healthy relationship with God, being firmly persuaded of our beliefs, and finding assurances in God’s truth rather than the promises and performance of others. In this way, healthy Christian faith is always scandal proof.

1    Reinhold Niebuhr, cited by John MacArthur, The Qualities of True Love, Pt. 4, Online Study Guide, https://www.gty.org/library/sermonsli... 2    Frederick Buechner, as quoted by Philip Yancey, “Changes in the Wind,” Disappointment with God: Three Questions No One Asks Aloud, Zondervan; New edition edition (February 28, 1997) 3    T.S. Eliot, The Poems of T.S. Eliot Volume I: Collected and Uncollected Poems, Faber & Faber (2015), p. 524