Twenty-nine years ago, on February 27, 1988, Pastor Douglas Wilson of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, wrote the following op-ed for the Lewiston Morning Tribune. The subject is evident — the two sex scandals that buried televangelists Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker. Mr. Wilson did not blame the victims in either case, and he condemned both men from the ministry because they did not meet St. Paul’s standard in 1 Timothy 3:7 — “he must have a good reputation with those outside the church.”

Now the same is true of Doug Wilson. He has stooped to one low after another to justify his inexcusable behavior in the matters of Steven Sitler and Jamin Wight. And his reputation — both in the church & out — is vile. The circle is complete:

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Jimmy Swaggart needs another line of work

Doug Wilson | Wilson is a Moscow minister.

Once again, the world of televangelism has been rocked with a sexual scandal. A few months ago, Jim Bakker admitted that he was an adulterer, and now Jimmy Swaggart has admitted that he has been guilty of sexual wrong­ doing as well. Two questions come to mind and they are, respectively, “Now what?” and “What next?”

For the infidels among us, both questions can be easily answered. Now what do we do? Sit back grinning, and enjoy the show. What next? More of the same, we hope.

But for the believers, the questions are much more difficult to answer. This is true for all Christians, and particularly true for those whose faith is similar to that of Bakker and Swaggart, i.e. Pentecostal.

From the early returns, it looks as though the questions are not being answered by Christians in a responsible way. From this we may conclude that the unbelievers will probably get their wish — a lot more teleshenanigans.

There seems to be a consensus among many Christians that Swaggart should be allowed, at some time in the future, to resume his ministry. “After all,” the thinking goes, “he confessed that he did wrong. What more can we ask?” This kind of attitude should horrify us at least as much as the scandals which are periodically making the headlines. The attitude misses at least two points.

1. This was more than a sin that happened in a moment of weakness, although that would be bad enough. What happened here goes far beyond such weakness. First, Swaggart’s activity was over a period of time. Secondly, it was not confessed until the confession was forced. In addition, Jimmy Swaggart was willing to drive others out of the ministry for sexual sin, while leaving his own behavior untouched. This is not just inconsistent; it is graduate-­level hypocrisy. Believe it or not, this kind of thinking has been addressed — and in a book which Jimmy Swaggart preaches from. “You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery?”

   All the evidence so far indicates a hard-heartedness that boggles the mind. Jimmy Swaggart should step down from the ministry for life. He needs to be offered spiritual help, and to allow him to resume his “ministry” would simply complete the destruction of his soul.

2. There is a difference between fellowship and leadership. Forgiveness ought to be preached and practiced by all Christians. But it does not follow from this that anyone who is forgiven is qualified to be a pastor, evangelist or Christian leader. The Bible has certain set qualifications for leadership, which in this case are being widely ignored by Christians. One such requirement is that the leader must have a good reputation with outsiders, i.e. non­-Christians. Does Swaggart? Now if the people who profess to believe the Bible ignore it, then their profession is what the infidels say it is — a joke.

   If pastors are not willing to maintain the integrity of their calling, then they deserve whatever happens to their collective reputation. Are we going to hold clergymen to a lower standard than we do with accountants, lawyers and doctors? Does the bank teller who embezzles thousands of dollars get to keep his job if he says he is sorry? Are there no career consequences if a judge takes a bribe?

The conclusion is simple: Christians need to grow up.

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One other thing: at least Jimmy Swaggart had the shame to know that he should weep, however phony his tears.