Personal life and theology

At least four theologians that I am aware of have been involved in; or allegations have been made against them of inappropriate sexual behaviour.

   As a seminary student, a long time ago, I became aware of Paul Tillich’s sexual infidelity. His wife Hannah did speak of it, even though some claim that they had an agreed upon “open marriage.” When Tillich taught at Union Theological Seminary in New York, theologian Reinhold Niebuhr was apparently upset with Tillich’s attitude toward female students, and he withdrew his friendship from Tillich.

   According to some, Karl Barth was, and still is, considered the most significant 20^th century theologian. Yet of late, I read a disturbing piece about his decades-long adulterous relationship with his personal assistant, Charlotte von Kirschbaum. Barth apparently tried to rationalize away this extra-marital relationship, even considering it as God-intended, so much for “Thou shall not commit adultery.” One wonders how his wife felt about it, and why she would continue to tolerate it.

   In North America, for some time now, there have been allegations against Martin Luther King, Jr. too, that he was involved in several extra-marital affairs. Whether or not these can be substantiated, I don’t know.

   More recently, also in North America, there has been coverage of inappropriate sexual behaviour by theologian John Howard Yoder; over one-hundred women were sexually violated.

   I confess this leaves a bad and discouraging impression on me about the theology of these theologians. It raises a difficult ethical question: Should sexual misbehaviour, and in some cases abuse, have an effect on how we regard the theological works of these theologians? If so, how?

   As Lutherans, we have denounced and distanced ourselves from Martin Luther’s horrifying treatises, On the Jews and their lies, and Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants. However, I hazard to guess that most Lutherans don’t write off Luther completely with regards to many of his other writings. Moreover, even though we do not accept or endorse his anti-Semitism, we do appreciate a considerable number of his reforms that he introduced to Christendom.

   So, when we learn of the sins of theologians whom we previously respected; does that change how we regard their theology? If so, how? What do you think? 

Canadian Supreme Court strikes down prostitution laws

The blueprint of a Judeo-Christian society has been dealt another blow by the Supreme Court of Canada: the decision was unanimous 9-0, in favour of declaring laws against the existence of brothels, open street solicitation, and making a living off of the avails of prostitution unconstitutional. I’m not a lawyer, but as I understand the ruling, the key factor in the decision was the view that the present legislation was in violation of the prostitutes’ constitutional rights because their lives were in danger.

   So, now Canada, ever moving farther away from a Judeo-Christian society, deems prostitution and the [in Lutheran tradition] Sixth Commandment, “Thou shall not commit adultery,” no longer valid. It was Fyodor Dostoyevsky who once is quoted as saying: “If there is no God, then all things are permitted.” Well, that seems to me where we’re headed now, what is next? Will murder also be legalised?

   One of my seminary professors, many years ago, used to be fond of saying that you cannot legislate morality. Then he would site the classic case of prohibition, and how that only led to organised crime making a handsome living off of selling booze. However, be that as it may, now it seems to me the polar opposite might become true: You can legislate immorality, isn’t that what the Supreme Court of Canada has done with legalising prostitution?

   I wouldn’t be a bit surprised if the pimps and johns and organised criminals are jumping up and down with glee, now they can continue their evil engagement in sexual slavery by bringing in even more, way too young boys and girls from poor nations.

   Another spin off, of course, is a further attack on and demise of the nuclear family based on monogamous marriages. Already the divorce rate is out of control, now it will likely continue to increase. Even common law couples may be more at risk if prostitutes are allowed open solicitation. The legalisation of prostitution will certainly push the issue of how to maintain long-term, committed, monogamous relationships in society. Moreover, I think children may be the real losers with this legislation, not only those being exploited as sexual slaves, but also children in families: what kind of moral-ethical behaviour and values are their parents teaching them if the parents have no commitment to a long-term, monogamous relationship? What about the healthcare costs to society? I hazard to guess that there will be far more sexually transmitted diseases or infections with the legal availability of prostitutes. God have mercy on us all! The only way out of this hell is to have a functional government that will properly, and with great wisdom and discernment, come up with new legislation within a year in response to the Supreme Court’s ruling. The ongoing challenge to society as a whole, and to people of faith in particular, is to understand the root causes of prostitution, and try to address them, to prevent [which is not likely in a sinful world as we know it] or at least minimalise prostitution in the first place by making it so unattractive that only a minority would choose it.