The Hypocrisy of Evangelicals in the Wake of Sexual Predation

In his book 'Wild at Heart,' John Eldredge writes that men are driven by a desire for freedom and adventure. However, this sense of freedom can sometimes lead to reckless behavior, especially when it comes to matters of the heart. Unfortunately, this is a lesson that some high-profile evangelical leaders seem to have forgotten.

Take, for example, televangelist Pat Robertson's defense of Donald Trump in 2016. Despite Trump's numerous allegations of sexual misconduct, Robertson praised him as an inspiration and claimed that his 'macho' behavior was simply a result of his 'acting out.' This excuse is eerily reminiscent of the Catholic Church's long history of downplaying clerical abuse, with officials claiming that the perpetrators were simply 'weak' or 'struggling' rather than outright predators.

But Robertson's defense of Trump is not an isolated incident. Alabama pastor David Floyd has also come under fire for his handling of sexual predation allegations against former Senate candidate Roy Moore. Despite numerous women coming forward to accuse Moore of inappropriate behavior, including one who alleged that he initiated a sexual encounter with her when she was just 14 years old, Floyd called Moore 'an upright man' and argued that he should be forgiven for his sins.

Floyd's comments are particularly galling given the strong stance he took against President Bill Clinton in the late 1990s. At the time, Clinton was accused of having an affair with a White House intern, and Floyd publicly condemned him as a hypocrite who had 'crossed the line.' Yet, despite the similarities between Clinton's behavior and Moore's alleged actions, Floyd seems to have forgotten his own outrage in the face of new allegations.

It's clear that some evangelical leaders are willing to turn a blind eye to sexual predation as long as it comes from someone they perceive as a fellow conservative. This hypocrisy is not only morally reprehensible but also damaging to survivors of sexual abuse and their families.

Ultimately, John Eldredge's concept of men being 'wild at heart' is not an excuse for reckless behavior, but rather a reminder that men are called to live with integrity and respect for others. It's time for evangelical leaders to take responsibility for their actions and stand up against sexual predation, rather than enabling it through their words and actions.

Wild at heart john eldredge, catholic