How should a pastor respond to Anthony Weiner?

Dr. Steve Blakemore sheds some light on how pastors should react to current events and use them to teach others.


What should a pastoral response be to an issue like Anthony Weiner?

I think a pastor's got a responsibility to do a couple things when it comes to a news item that deals with that particular issue.

I think the first and foremost thing pastors oughta do should be is to teach the people.

I think that our culture has become so obsessed with sex. It's no longer about just pleasure anymore. So many people are told to express themselves through this.

The Church highly values sex as a gift from God.

It's not that we're prudes; we see the beauty and glory of our sexuality.

The Bible on one knee, a newspaper on the other. Is that a good way to start the day?

I would think that a better way to start the pastoral life is the Bible, soaking up the Word of God.

As a pastor you read the Bible, not just for your own personal edification, but for other people as well, then go to the newspaper.

One danger if we start off with the paper on one knee and the Bible on the other, then we start to read the Bible in light of the news.

So many hear about that (Weiner) instead of hearing about that in light of our lives, it's just a chance to rail against someone that's failed. Or some people say that we shouldn't judge.

That's wrong.

Allow the Bible to shape us, then encounter the current events.

When natural disasters happen, is that a good time to address some tough issues?

I would think that they could be, because when those things happen, everyone has a question on their mind, "Why do we live in a world like this?"

What does it mean to say God is sovereign? What does it mean to say God's in control?

What it means is that God is going to save the world....and that is the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Scandals in the church. Good opportunities for sharing the Gospel?

Once again, it is if we present it correctly.

One thing that kills me is when...a Christian leader fails and a Christian's  response is this: Christians aren't perfect, they're just forgiven.

But if we say, "There's no excuse to be made. That falls short of the glory of God....but we all need a Savior."

I think in those kind of moments, as long as Christians don't minimize or make excuses for the failings of Christian pastors....I think it does offer us an opportunity to speak about the gospel with people.