The eCrozier

I believe it’s intentional that we go in the lectionary from the resurrection shouts of “He is risen” on Easter Sunday to the doubts expressed by Blessed Thomas in the Easter 2. While we always rest in the hope of the resurrection to eternal life given in Christ Jesus, it’s important to have the human nature reality check of Thomas. Jesus’ resurrection occurs in the midst of doubts, lies, deceits, and betrayals. And we know that Jesus’ resurrection does not end such realities. In the midst of our “alleluias” we must remain clear-eyed about the sinfulness of the world. For all its beauty and wonder, the world is still in open rebellion against the purposes and intentions of God in Jesus Christ.

So, as Rod Serling might have said: two new books “presented for your consideration.”

The first is New York Times reporter Diana Henriques’ book, The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust. Her book describes how Madoff created the biggest Ponzi scheme in history. In a recent interview, Henriques said: “I think we’re fooling ourselves if we think he’s somehow unique or rare in our market environment. That’s why I warn against seeing him as some sort of monster, some inhuman psychopath who arises and can’t be stopped. He is not inhumanly monstrous; he is monstrously human.” Henriques subtitles her book, the Death of Trust. And I don’t think that’s hyperbole.

The second is James Stewart’s book, Tangled Webs: How False Statements Are Undermining America. He claims we’re becoming a society where perjury is the norm. He explores why people lie under oath and all the lives ruined as a result. Lying, of course, is as old as the Garden of Eden (What tree? What fruit?). But today, people are lying at the highest levels of business, politics, and media. He examines the trials of Martha Stewart, Scooter Libby, Barry Bonds and Bernie Madoff. He asks: Why do people with so much to lose by lying do it anyway. For example, why would Martha Stewart lie about receiving insider stock information? It was only $40,000 and she’s a millionaire. His answer: Like others, she had gotten away with things like this before and the lying simply became reinforced behavior.

From the Bible, we recall how King David deceitfully had Uriah killed so he could have Bathsheba. Why would he do such thing? The answer the Bible gives is simple: He was the king and as such assumed the morality applied to others did not apply to him. It was not until Nathan confronted him that he confessed his sin and asked God’s forgiveness. One wonders if such a confession ever would have occurred without Nathan’s actions.

We live in a time in our society when, if trust has not died, then it’s on life support. As lay and ordained disciples in the Church we must try to lead in this context. Will anyone trust what we have to say? Will our actions be under constant suspicion? I contend that even though we live in this toxic social environment, God is giving us an opportunity. We can be a church that insists on truthfulness and moral transparency from our spiritual leaders on all levels, not in a self-righteous way or a way that conveys we smugly believe we are morally superior to everyone else, but in a humble way that lets everyone know we are committed to being a truthful people in Jesus Christ.

+Scott