Newsweek‘s Susannah Meadows spoke with Michael Cromartie, vice president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and a practicing evangelical himself, about how evangelicals have responded to news of Senator David Vitter’s moral problems. Cromartie responds:
“What one has to understand is that classic Christianity believes that people are fallen and desperately need a redeemer. If they’re authentic Christians, they understand that but for the grace of God, they too could fall. Evangelicalism likes to pride itself on being magnanimous and forgiving. It ought to be the case that evangelicals, while not condoning such behavior, are not surprised by such sinful behavior. I’m not surprised by vice. I’m surprised by virtue.”
3 Comments
Steve Hayes
What a wonderful quote! Thanks for posting this, Denny. This is the kind of press that makes the gospel look beautiful and believable. I love it.
dennyrburk
Steve,
You’re absolutely right.
By the way, I thought that quote sounds like a cross between John Calvin and C.S. Lewis: “Surprised by Virtue.” 🙂
Much luf,
Denny
Stephanie Landenberger
Wow! and this was published in Newsweek! That is great. It is an inspiring quote. I love it too.