Out of all the things I’ve read in the days subsequent to the Penn State scandal, none ring more true than these words from Ted Kluck (given to me by my wife):
“As people ask me about the Penn State situation I’m reminded of the following, stated hopefully in the least-pious way possible:
One, I’m sad. Whenever something like this happens, it’s an occasion to put aside rooting interests and genuinely feel grieved for all of the people involved. But two, I’m reminded of something that we say a lot but I think rarely internalize and actually live: The idea that nothing good is possible apart from Christ. As proud and hopeful as Penn State football made us feel over the years, this story is an occasion to be reminded that Christ is our only comfort, and our only source of joy. It’s a chance to be reminded that God gives football and God, sometimes, in his sovereignty, takes it away.
And I think it’s an occasion to question our own tendency toward hero-worship. If we say that we worship the author and perfector of our faith, why then do we have an almost insatiable and semi-embarrassing drive to create heroes in other walks of life?”
It’s easy for us humans to fashion hero-status to anyone or anything which gives us a sense of joy, comfort, or prominence in this life. We jump on the proverbial band wagon only to wind up in a miserable crash when our beloved heroes fail. Idols, Tim Keller has said, do one one of two things: they take us along for the ride and end up disappointing us or they never live up to our expectations. In relation to the Penn State saga, the former is true. Our hopes and dreams can rise and fall with mere institutions and people of this world. However, there is One to which we can look who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He sits on a throne surrounded by cherubim and is Lord over all creation. His name is King Jesus.
Dan (and Jenn),
Great find! This same idea rings true for why we love movies and super heroes. Movies almost always follow the same arc as the Bible and Jesus. We are introduced to the hero, the hero falls or messes up, and finally the hero is redeemed or comes back to save the day. It constantly amazes me to see how much people can desire a hero in a movie or a sports star, yet would never even think of having a relationship with the ultimate redeemer. Unfortunately this Penn State scandal won’t be the last time something like this happens. Fortunately we know Jesus who was perfect and did return to save us all. Thank God that he did because we fail time and time again. Thanks for sharing!
This is a great article but what is with the title? “How Should The Think Biblically…” Should it not be “How Should We Think Biblically…”?
Thanks James! It’s updated now.
I’ve found myself strangely riveted to the news following this story. In particular, I’v been most struck by how everyone is in agreement that Sandusky’s alleged actions were wrong (clearly). In a culture where our moral absolutes are getting “gray and fuzzy”, it is almost refreshing to see people “draw the line” in agreement between what is right and wrong.