A Voice in the Wilderness In Defense of "Mere Conservatism"

A Wiser Mohler Than I Reflects On Tiger

Dr. Albert Mohler is the president of Southern Theological Seminary and consistently offers the wisest commentary on behalf of evangelical Christians in America.  I haven't posted much Tiger Woods-related material on this website, but Dr. Mohler is far too eloquent to deny his take on the Tiger Woods "confession" that took place last Friday (as if you didn't already know).

Mohler begins by praising Woods for owning up to what he did to his family:

The public confession made by Tiger Woods and watched by millions of viewers last Friday was, in the main, much like the confessions made by others, ranging from former President Bill Clinton to evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. Woods was clear in making his public admission of wrongdoing, and he spoke directly and candidly of his personal responsibility...Woods was forthright and he used the right words. He did not speak of adultery, but he left no doubt about his numerous adulterous affairs.

Woods then went on to identify himself as a Buddhist, and specifically talked about what his faith has to say about the sins he committed:

"Buddhism teaches that a craving for things outside ourselves causes an unhappy and pointless search for security. It teaches me to stop following every impulse and to learn restraint."

Dr. Mohler sees this as an opportunity, not to heap on Woods or bash his religion, but to clarify a distinct distinction between Christianity and Buddhism:

A Christian looking at the words in Woods' statement sees just how distant they are from the Gospel. The distinction between the Christian and Buddhist worldviews is laid bare for all to see. Tiger Woods should be taken at his word when he grounds his apology and confession in Buddhism. Evangelical Christians should see this as further reason to pray for Tiger Woods. We should respect the integrity and honesty of his statement, but hope and pray that he will one day come to know the salvation and forgiveness of sin that comes only through faith in Christ. We believe that he will not find salvation in renouncing all desire. We would hope instead that he might hear the Gospel and desire Christ.

I couldn't agree more.  I know not all do.  At the very least I hope we can all agree that it is a good thing we live in a society that still recognizes Woods' actions as painfully wrong.  There isn't a faith on earth that condones such reckless, adulterous behavior.

That is a very good thing.