MondayMorningInsight - Leadership & Encouragement for Church Leaders

DENIAL: “One of the most horrific mistakes I made was not a spiritual problem; it was physiologic”

Posted by: Todd
Posted on: Mon, September 28, 2009
Viewed 335
(16) comments so far

DENIAL: “One of the most horrific mistakes I made was not a spiritual problem; it was physiologic”

Seriously? Seriously. Ted Haggard reportedly made this statement to a church this month in Texas...

Haggard and his wife, Gayle, have been traveling to churches nationwide in the wake of the 2006 scandal to offer apologies and explanations, the Morning News reported.

Haggard, 53, insists he is a heterosexual male who was only attracted to men because he was sexually assaulted as a second-grader.

"One of the most horrific mistakes I made was not a spiritual problem; it was a physiological problem," Haggard said Sunday. "I needed treatment."

My only thought: You still need treatment, Ted.

Comments

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Peter Hamm on Mon, September 28, 2009

[Haggard, 53, insists he is a heterosexual male who was only attracted to men because he was sexually assaulted as a second-grader.]

Totally believable, I’ve known and known of plenty of people in that boat. Hard for those of us who didn’t experience that kind of hurt to understand, but it’s true.

And yes, he probably does continue to need therapy.
Joel Sisson on Mon, September 28, 2009

If all sin issues were only spiritual then Jesus may not have healed people’s physically. Sounds like Ted was living in a limited view of God’s wholistic healing.
jac1962 on Mon, September 28, 2009

Our deepest problem is always sin - and we always get into trouble when we think our physiological or psychological “problems” are deeper than our sin problems, or are somehow unrelated - just plain bad theology, Ted.
j a n on Mon, September 28, 2009

“My only thought: You still need treatment, Ted.”
This statement sounds incredibly judgmental and condemning. That may not be your intent, and I realize it’s often hard to understand intent in writing.
I’ve actually heard Ted’s presentation in person. The point is, many Christians have forgotten that they still need “treatment.” We somehow think we’re different than him, just because our sin is secret, not published across national media.
My only thought: you still need grace, Todd. As do I… and all other brothers & sisters in Christ.
CS on Mon, September 28, 2009

Dear Ted:

Please stop it. Go get the help you need and stay out of the limelight for a while.

—
CS
Todd on Mon, September 28, 2009

j a n

Yes, perhaps my comment was a tad bit harsh… but Ted has to stop the blame game.

I understand these issues get very complicated very quickly. But to say his mistake was not a sin problem is a stretch by any means (in my opinion).

You’re right, Jan… I need grace as well. Believe me. But if I start publicly rationalizing my sin, especially on a national level, I would hope someone would tell me to please stop.

Todd
Jesse on Mon, September 28, 2009

Great response Todd. Jan, I think I get where you’re coming from, but we have to keep 1 John in mind. To deny your sin is to call God a liar. Ted’s comment needs to be confronted with that truth, as Todd just did. May the Holy Spirit bring conviction to Ted, and all of us when we don’t confess and repent (have a change of heart towards sin and see it the way God does) and try to justify ourselves. Look at Isaiah 1 even, God wants us to come clean and see that He’s ready to forgive and help us not rebel, but we can’t pretend the sin’s not there.
Chris Miller on Mon, September 28, 2009

It is a both/and rather than an either/or issue IMHO

Chris
Mike on Mon, September 28, 2009

Kinda weak to take one statement from a presentation and measure the whole thing or the person from a single quote. Something our mainstream press does on a regular basis and we bash them for it. I probably will never agree with everything Ted says but if you watch his full interviews he is asking forgiveness in the correct way now. He did say “One of the horrific mistakes” not the only mistake.
Todd on Mon, September 28, 2009

Mike,

Agreed, if that is what I had done. I’ve watched Ted since the fall; sometimes he hits the mark; other times he falls far short, in my opinion. This one fell far short.

Todd
Dave on Mon, September 28, 2009

Todd,
‘One of the most horrific mistakes I made was not a spiritual problem; it was physiologic’
Look at the quote verbatim. ONE of my mistakes. That sentence does not deny sin, nor does it say that what he did was not sinful. Have you read the letter he read to his church when he resigned. It was full of good theology. He took responsibility for his actions. From my understanding of his comment in the context of all that i have read and heard from him since this happened is that He made a terrible mistake in not seeking counseling for the sexual abuse he suffered as a child and the resulting attractions that he felt toward males. His statement in no way refutes his sin or his responsibilities. The statement, in my opinion, is saying that he made MANY HORRIFIC mistakes and one of those was to choose to not get counseling. It might be similar to an alcoholic who states that ONE of his horrific mistakes in addition to sinning against God and his own body was to refuse psychological counseling and treatment for his addiction. Perhaps I am wrong in my interpretation. I didn’t hear the quote in the context in which it was given. but for me it is a long jump from that quote to Ted denying sin or saying that his problem is not a sin problem. I take it as he said it, ONE of his HORRIFYING mistakes. That communicates to me that he readily acknowledges that he made more than one horrifying mistake. Did you see the whole presentation? Did he deny sin or his own sinfulness in that speech? I don’t know, I wasn’t there. perhaps he did. I just don’t jump from that statement to Ted denying sin. Again, that is just my interpretation. I could be absolutely wrong, and if so. my apologies.
rbud on Mon, September 28, 2009

I’m a little confused by Ted’s statement. What’s physiology have to do this?

BTW, I chuckle a little every time I read or hear someone mention Ted’s “fall”. I assume what is meant is “fall from grace”, which is a terrible misstatement of the Scriptures. According to my Bible, the only way a person can fall from God’s grace is to openly reject the Holy Spirit. It seems to me the only grace from which Ted fell is the grace of the Christian community. If committing a common sin constitutes a fall from God’s grace, then we all have fallen and are falling, afterall we all are sinners, are we not?
Gary on Mon, September 28, 2009

I still can’t forget that there was a time when I listened to everything Ted had to say and I thought he was right on. I don’t think it was something that happened in his childhood thats the problem I think he was deceived when he fell into sin. I am praying for him to be healed in spite of that it looks like that he’s more spiritually confused.
Jon on Tue, September 29, 2009

I am sick and tired of hearing about Ted Haggard…I wish this dude would realize he doesn’t need to be “apologizing” to all these churches…He did not bring down The Church…He didn’t even bring down his own church…Thank God…I wish he would just stop reminding us of his ineptitude as a leader…retreat to a bunker…heal up…shut up…get right with Jesus if he hasn’t and look to influence through relationship…not looking for “love offerings” at other churches so he can “apologize”...please dude…you messed up now its time to go make a living at selling shoes or something! This isn’t about grace…this is about realizing you have screwed up and everyone doesn’t want to hear about it until you have gotten thorough it for a minute. Why does grace mean someone has to accept what they have done…I don’t have a problem with his issues…if they have been taken care of…I have a problem that it feels as though he is trying to make a living and get back to ministry on the back of his screw up…that isn’t cool if that is happening! So its not about grace…its wishing for a little humbleness and shame at his sin! That is how I feel…right or wrong…btw…if you think I am wrong…not real interested…it is my feelings…just keepin it real!
The other JAN on Tue, September 29, 2009

I think there are several good points here. Sin is definitely at the heart of the issue, or scripture would not teach that homosexuality is a sin. He definitely needs help and therapy.

And I think the best thing for himself and his family, would be for Ted to stay out of the limelight and work on not only this issue but obviously the abuse he suffered, his marriage and his infidelity there, and his need to be up front.

I cannot imagine being married to this man and having to face the public yet again. Does he care about her and her needs?