The Duggars & Christians in the Media Spotlight

If the Duggar family weren't semi-celebrities, I think it's unlikely we would have ever heard about this scandal. Media likes scandal because it sells advertising. So media tells me breathlessly, "You need to pay attention to this!" And I reply, "No, I really don't."  Media is everywhere, and we have to work to shut it out. Our family doesn't even own cable, and I still know about this.

Media scandals involving Christians negatively impact our reputation. A good reputation is worth more than gold or rubies (Proverbs 22:1). This is why I felt nervous when a local TV new station interviewed me regarding our church's intention to keep hosting a Boy Scout troop. You're playing with fire when mass media focuses its camera on you. Fire can warm things up, or it can burn things down. 

It's dangerous to become media-known. Crazy people stalk you. Enemies of the faith target you. Billy Graham always traveled with companions who would enter his hotel room before him. Why? Because his enemies would try to plant a woman in the hotel room. The Soviets once ran a headline, "Billy Graham Seen with Tall Blonde Named Bev Shea" (those of you who know Billy Graham's story will understand why that's funny). 

One of the striking truths about the Bible is that God reveals the lives of His people. I mean, really reveals! Yes, the Bible is a story of success. But it's the story of God's success over sin, on behalf of all us sinners. There are only a few Bible figures who are presented as completely admirable, like Daniel or Ruth. God tells the stories of most of the Bible people with all their warts revealed. And some of those "warts" are really, really bad!  

But the Lord, through the inspired pens of the prophets, told their stories in such a way that His  victory in their lives was highlighted. 

Let us pray for the family, and also for the Spirit of God to squash how Satan wants to use this. The Internet is lit up at this time with howls of "Hypocrites! Hypocrites!" It makes me think of Romans 2: "Therefore you are inexcusable, o man, you who judge. For in the way you judge another, you condemn yourself, because you who judge also commit such things." (Romans 2:1). 

Josh Duggar will go to heaven when he dies, and God will welcome him with glad and open arms, because Christ died for Josh Duggars' sins -- all of them. Heaven is full of ex-killers, ex-homosexuals, ex-thieves, ex-idol-worshipers, and ex-liars. And ex-hypocrites. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift.