Two months ago, a friend messaged me distraught after reading the open letter released by RZIM (Ravi Zacharias International Ministry) regarding its founder Ravi Zacharias’ case of sexual abuse. He is a very influential Christian leader and apologist, so it is no wonder the news of his moral failure stumble many.

Some quick background:

He’s an Indian migrant to Canada who became a Christian in the hospital after a suicide attempt at the age of 17. He then spent most of his life sharing / defending the Christian faith in the public square and was later the founder of RZIM, a Christian ministry with the motto ‘helping the thinker believe, helping the believer think’.

He died last May due to cancer in his spine – not surprising as he’s struggled many years with severe back pain. A high profile memorial service was held in his honour where the then U.S. Vice President Mike Pence spoke among others.

A few months later, in Aug 2020, allegations of sexual misconduct was made against him. RZIM engaged Miller & Martin PLLC to investigate and the outcome was released in Feb 2021 (full report available on FB page and also RZIM website), concluded guilty basically.

I have been one of those who have benefited from his ministry at some point. Here are my thoughts on what’s happened.

Anyone’s failure is not a surprise

I mean, anyone.

As I’ve heard someone said, ‘the best man is a man at best.’

That’s good to keep in mind. Especially when we admire someone from afar. We do not see the real fallen person that one is from that distance and especially when we always see them on a platform.

It is also a reminder of the importance of praying for those in leadership. It is natural to be quick to judge, while slow to pray for them and those affected, their ministries and families..

Truth remains truth

When truth is told – whoever the speaker is – it remains the truth.

It is not a wonder one’s credibility is at stake once they’re caught. However, the comfort of the truth (of the Gospel) is that it remains true even when the messenger has personal moral failure or otherwise. That is why the bible speaks of us as being ‘jars of clay’. We who are but jars of clay are still being used as vessels to carry the most valuable message of salvation.

So, truth still remains the truth.

By the way, likewise falsehood. Falsehood is falsehood regardless of who speaks it.

Men as vessels

Ravi, through his ministry, had no doubt impacted the lives of many people positively.

What it says is that God uses people for His purpose. Let alone fallen followers, He even uses those who are blatantly against Him to achieve good. The people themselves may be bad, but in His sovereignty even that could be of some good effect on others in some ways.

The famous example in that of Joseph who was sold to Egypt by his jealous brothers. Many years later he said of what they did to him,

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 50:20

Even the most evil plan of humanity in crucifying the Son of God is used for the salvation of many. No human plan could ever thwart the sovereign plan of the God of the universe, that should be of immense comfort to us..

You will be found out, eventually

This is not the first nor last case where onlookers say, ‘You will be shown for who you are eventually.’

I’m just not sure if we say that with the right kind of attitude.

For, in fact, the bible does say the same of the end,

Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.

Luke 12:2-3

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,

Matthew 12:36

There will be a day of reckoning where each of us will be held accountable for our every thought and deed. So, if anything, I think I should be scared for myself more than anyone else..

That is also why it is such comfort to have the assurance of my standing before the righteous God, because my advocate Jesus Christ who has paid the price for me to be adopted, loved and accepted as none other than a child of God Himself.

Leaders who are still standing

It is needful to be discerning of what is wrong, so we may take heed, not so we have a big head over others’ failures.

.. let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.  God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Cor 10:12-13

We may be thankful that although all humans have the capacity for great evil, most of the time they aren’t realised in full.

In fact, not just in capacity, but in reality we do have our hidden secrets that we’d rather no one will ever know of. So it is with any leaders we admire at this very moment, if we know them for who they really are – every thought that’s crossed their mind and every motive they’ve nurtured in their hearts – we will be horrified too. Likewise, vice versa true for ourselves (i.e., I know people think of me better than I really am).

That’s a call to see ourselves as we are and to hope ultimately in God alone, whose love is steadfast and faithfulness never fails as people’s does. Place your hope where hope alone can be found.

Importance to be above reproach

I’m not saying the report of the investigation is questionable or otherwise, but I do make an observation of how easy it is today with which such things may bring down an organisation. That is to say, it only takes someone to come forward and allege something of this sort (regardless of whether or not it is true, that’s not the point) and the whole organisation may be thrown into a big mess, or just be dissolved like RZIM.

I’m saying this because it makes me wonder what will likely to happen if someone were to make similar allegation against another leader, minister, or someone else of an organisation. In today’s political climate, (it should not be, but) you’re assumed guilty for things like this, until proven otherwise. That means it is indeed very easy to bring down an organisation one is unhappy with. At the very least, even if the person is innocent, just by the fact that there’s an allegation will already cause things to be disrupted, halted and what not until such time that the investigation concludes – which may take a long time.

Given that awareness, and seeing how certain types of organisations are increasingly targeted (such as churches) in recent proposed legislations around the western world, it is all the more important for leaders to take pains to ensure they are above reproach. Provide no opportunity for any appearance of compromise.

Another observation I make is that people tend to side the ‘victim’, until your own skin is in the game. That is, until you’re the one who’s accused. Or your loved ones..

Regardless of the report finding, Ravi’s son Nathan (and his wife of almost 5 decades, Margie) find the whole thing questionable for reasons they themselves know of. Nathan started this blog in defense of his Dad: https://defendingravi.wordpress.com/

It is obviously not my place to speak definitively of who’s right, but those are some good lessons and reminders I get from thinking about this.

Meanwhile, people may think and guess, judge and defend. But the one who’s sitting on the judgement seat at the end of the day is the only One who has the right to. Thank God for that.