Protecting the Powerless
Two recent incidents in the news, along with several testimonies from my most recent seminar, have me focused on protecting the powerless.
Inexcusable, Disconcerting News Out of Penn State
Longtime assistant football coach at Penn State, Jerry Sandusky, has been charged with sexually abusing young boys over a 15-year period, including four years when he was a member of the Nittany Lion’s football staff.
Penn State Athletic Director, Tim Curly, and VP for Finance and Business, Gary Schultz, were charged with failing to report to state and county officials that a witness told them he saw Sandusky sexually abusing a naked boy in the locker room showers in 2002. Legendary coach Joe Paterno, and Penn State President, Graham Spanier, have been fired by the Board of Trustees.
Serious Charges Concerning Presidential Candidate Herman Cain
Also in the news are the charges, now by four women, that they were sexually harassed and experienced sexually inappropriate behavior by Herman Cain while he was head of the National Restaurant Association. The Cain campaign has stated that “all allegations of harassment against Mr. Cain are completely false. Mr. Cain has never harassed anyone.”
I am making no judgment in the case regarding guilt. The facts need to be established.
Grief Over Past Abuse
At my Saturday seminar on God’s Healing for Life’s Losses, several people mentioned their ongoing struggles with grief, forgiveness, and healing due to past sexual abuse. In several cases the victim was further victimized when those who became aware of the abuse did not step in to provide protection and safety.
Often when we think of a seminar on grief, we think of the loss of a loved one to death, or the loss of a relationship through divorce, or the loss of a job through being fired. But the loss of innocence and the loss of trust due to sexual harassment or sexual abuse can be equally or even more devastating.
Where Is the Church?
When Jesus returned from his temptation in the wilderness, Luke 4 tells us that He went to Nazareth and on the Sabbath He went into the synagogue. Standing up to read, the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it is written:
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor: (Luke 4:18-19). 
Then Jesus, rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on Him. He said to them, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21).
Think about that for a moment. Jesus could have read from anywhere in Isaiah. He could have read the great “Holy, Holy, Holy” passage in Isaiah 6. He could have read about the “Wonderful Counselor” and “Prince of Peace” in Isaiah 9.
Instead, Jesus identified Himself as the One who cares for the poor, the prisoner, the blind, and the oppressed. Jesus is the Protector of the powerless. He gives voice to the voiceless.
Do we? Does the church?
Personal and Practical
At a personal level, do we weep with those who weep?
Do we have compassion on women who have been victimized by sexual harassment?
Do we have compassion on children who have been victimized by sexual abuse?
Do we hear them and listen to them—giving them their voice back?
Do we stand up with them and beside them—empowering them?
At a practical level, do we establish “policies and procedures” in our churches and para-church organizations that proactively protect children from sexual abuse? Do we follow wise principles to prevent sexual harassment? Do we courageously and wisely deal with accusations of sexual impropriety?
And, if we do so, is our motivation simply “not wanting to be sued or arrested because of failure to protect others?” In the same passage where Paul talks about obeying the law of the land (Romans 13:1-7), he talks about a greater law and a greater motivation (Romans 13:8-10).
“Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, ‘do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not covet,’ and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8-10).
Do no harm. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Those are the biblical, Christlike motivations that should drive all of our “policies and procedures.” Yes, follow the law of the land. But more importantly, follow the law of God. And most importantly, follow the loving Lawgiver in protecting the powerless.
Join the Conversation
What can we do to proactively protect the powerless? What can we do to give voice to the voiceless victim of sexual sin?
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