Why I Am Proud of Mark Sanford
(Pictured, Governor Mark Sanford) / "Five minutes after the press conference, I sent a personal email to the governor."
Less than 48 hours ago, I had the privilege of watching, live, the public confession of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. Four minutes after his press conference concluded, I updated on Twitter and Facebook my immediate feelings: “I’m proud of Mark Sanford.” This started a firestorm of comments on my Facebook page, which have continued even into this evening. Five minutes after the press conference, I sent a personal email to the governor. Before the evening was over, I put pen to paper and wrote an Op-Ed piece about the governor’s confession. Today that article is featured on the home page of one of the most highly-trafficked Christian web portals on the Internet, CBN.com. I entitled it “Why I Am Proud of Mark Sanford,” although I think it is posted with a different title.
Take a look at what I had to say. I invite your feedback, comments, discussion.
Meanwhile, I’d like to also share with my readers from the email I sent to Mark Sanford, because it unpacks a bit more of my feelings on the confession he made to the public. Yes, I realize that we have seen only his public portrayal of the situation; I realize his could be sheer facade. I am not naive, yet I have a habit that won’t go away of giving people the benefit of the doubt.
"I am also of the opinion that a man can genuinely love God, yet behave unfaithfully toward Him; that a man can genuinely love his wife, yet behave unfaithfully toward her."
I am also of the opinion that a man can genuinely love God, yet behave unfaithfully toward Him; that a man can genuinely love his wife, yet behave unfaithfully toward her. Furthermore, I am of the opinion that a man can take strong, unflinching, and authentic stands against sinful behavior, as Sanford has done in the past, denouncing it and condemning it, yet find to his dismay that he has fallen prey to the same temptations–without invalidating the truth that motivated his prior posture. All must be held accountable for such sin and failure, and all must answer for it. The most important factor in the equation is that–how they answer.
And so I share with you now from my letter to Mark Sanford:
Dear Governor Sanford:
I have no idea when you will get a chance to read this, or if will only be read by a staffer. No matter. I have one thing to say to you in this moment of tremendous regret, grief, and pain in your life: I am deeply proud of you.
I have never heard your name before today. And today, you have so inspired me and humbled me.
I am a conservative Christian minister. I am ordained in a very well-known denomination. . . . I preach regularly, encouraging holiness in lifestyle, godliness in character, and purity in conduct. And I want you to know that I have rarely seen a public figure model godliness the way you have modeled to us all today. There will be many, I imagine, who will lift you up as an example of compromise and whatever else. But I want you to know that there may be more, including me, who will hold you up as a reminder of King David and many others who respond to their own humanity in the right way.
I want to say it again, Mr. Sanford–who I have never met, and never known until today: I am deeply proud of you. . . . You are an inspiration to all of us. Thank you, thank you, thank you for standing in stark contrast to so many other public figures who have not responded in a godly manner.
Today, Governor, you stand out in my mind not as a man who has “blown it,” but as a man whose leadership I will forever respect. You may have done more to positively influence the next generation today than you have ever done, or ever could do. I thank you for it. I will tell your story to my kids, and they will be stronger for it. I have four young ones also. Your kids? They are lucky to have you. What a dad. What a man.
With admiration,
Adrian Schoonmaker
AdrianSchoonmaker.com RSS
Adrian, I understand where you are coming from — yeah, we uplift David, a major offender, why not Gov. Sanford?
Well, first becaues he rules only by the will of the people he represents. Sanford governs as part of a representative democracy, not a monarchy. It is the duty of the people to keep the governor accountable to the high ethical standards they associate with the supreme position of state authority. In a representative democracy, how do you hold an elected official accountable if not by voting them out or by impeaching them? Anything else would seem to condone his behavior or make it appear that morality is secondary to the more pragmatic aspects of his position, like the state’s economic welfare, educational programs, or transportation goals.
Secondly, we are involved in a political culture mired in sexual sin and exposure in the press. What message does it send if the governor’s political party does not hold him accountable? Just last week it was Senator Ensign making headlines! Each time a Democrat falls, like former New York Governor Eliot Spitzer or John Edwards, Republican’s jump all over the opportunity to rail against impropriety, claiming that they are unfit for office. But, when the shoe is on the other foot, do we then call for grace?
Perhaps grace should be extended for everyone, regardless of party affiliation? Again, then what should accountability look like. It would appear to me, if this were the model, the American people would be relegating personal impropriety to secondary status.
Perhaps grace should be extended on a case-by-case basis. How then do we judge, which we inevitably must do as the empowering component of representative democracy? Aren’t we then getting into semantics? We don’t accept Spitzer’s apology as being legitimate, but do accept Saford’s “more heartfelt and emotional” apology. Why is this different from David?
It seems to me that judgment and consequences should apply equally to all, regardless of party affiliation or the sincerity of their apology. With this in mind, I believe that grace is not something to be extended after political failure, but is a “state” these officials walk in while serving the people in their various capacities.
The question is not if we should now extend grace in the face of failure, but if we should now remove our grace from them. Is there anything that we just won’t stand for? Perhaps this too is only semantics.
Jerrod, thanks so much for reading and responding. Your comments on the political reaction of the voters makes sense to me, in particular your thoughts on accountability. I’ve really not kept up much with the reaction of the media (conservative or otherwise) or the voters with regard to Sanford, so I’m afraid I can’t speak much into that. I, for one, am not a Republican, and I found out only while writing my article that Sanford is one. If I were in his shoes, I hope I would have the resolve to go ahead and resign from leadership altogether.
As for the emotional and spiritual reaction of the Church, however… that is of more interest to me. Although I never used the word ‘grace’ in anything I have written on this topic, I’m with you: “Perhaps grace should be extended for everyone…” I also resound with you when you say, “Judgment and consequences should apply equally to all.” I thank God that they do.
Back to the political reaction of voters, I think your question is one that should be considered by all Americans: “Is there anything that we just won’t stand for?” I don’t think that’s semantics at all–that is a vitally important question for our country.
You make an excellent point in your response to Justin (below)–a point that Christians desperately need to understand as citizens in America: “Could it be that in [the American] model of government the people act as God’s prophetic voice?” The principles behind your question speak a great deal to very difficult theological issues, such as theodicy, divine healing, unanswered prayer, and others.
Adrian, I looked back through your article and was shocked that grace was not included. This seems to represent the power of a “title.” CBN changed your title to include the word grace, which was the lense I apparently used when reading your article and answering your questions.
Like I said on your Facebook comment, your article is incredible in that it is extremely thought-provoking, well-written, and timely, all of which, I realize, are difficult to create in an editorial. Kudos to you on your achievement, really.
PS: You spoke of Sanford’s spirit coming through in his “confession.” I believe that your spirit also came through in the article as well, a testament to your character in Christ.
Hey…fifth paragraph, last sentence was not supposed to be there. Please disregard it, as I forgot to delete it before I submitted the comment.
Jerrod, I think you misunderstood Adrian’s message. You seem to be conflating the extension of grace with a lack of punishment.
Adrian’s article compared Mark Sanford to King David. Although God extended forgiveness (grace) to David, the Lord still took David’s son from him and promised that “the sword shall never depart from your house.” After reading the rest of David’s family story, we can conclude that the rape, incest, and murder amongst his children resulted from Bath-sheba-related sins.
I don’t think Adrian was advocating a lack of punishment, only that people remember Mark Sanford for his repentance, not his sins. It is grace such as this, after all, that God extends toward each one of us when we ask for it.
Justin,
Perhaps I am misunderstanding the point of Adrian’s article; I do not claim to know what is in his heart or his mind. I focused on his “call to action” at the end of his editorial, in which he admonishes Christians, saying:
“Already, many thousands of professing Christians have been quick to cast the first stone at Sanford. That is understandable. Today, however, I am asking Christians these questions of consistency, questions of conviction: How can you be filled with admiration for a man like King David, yet disgusted by a man like Governor Sanford? Are their responses so different? Once faced with the public, is there a response from Sanford you would have considered more godly? If you are disturbed that he remains in office, are you equally disturbed that King David remained in office? If you are ashamed of the governor, why are you not ashamed of David’s name?”
If we are to be proud of the way the Governor repented, which is fine, then what is the appropriate Christian response to the situation? What does it mean to extend grace to a fallen politician, practically?
If, by grace, we are asking Christians not to “demonize” or “damn this person to hell”, then I agree. Who are we to judge the heart of a man, for who can truly know?
But, if we are using the extension of grace as a way to give “undeserved” political support to the Governor, then I believe that this is erroneous. Just because one politician invokes religious phraseology in his apology and another does not, should we treat them differently? Should one apology be more highly regarded than the other? Is not the crux of the matter that we pre-judge one apology as being more sincere? Is this right? Is this consistent?
Adrian asked,”If you are disturbed that he [Sanford] remains in office, are you equally disturbed that King David also remained in office?” Yes, I am equally disturbed, but the two examples are different in my mind because of the two distinct types of government involved, each requiring a different response from the people.
During the Davidic Monarchy, God placed the king into power to fulfill His covenant promises, holding him accountable divinely through a prophet, and punishing him divinely through the judgements you listed previously. One reason that David continued in “office” was to allow his posterity to rule, which allowed for the continued fulfillment of God’s covenant promises, like the building of the temple by Solomon. In this model, the masses are simply called to obey their leaders, allowing God to judge and to punish sovereignly.
In a representative democracy (which we have to believe was also sovereignly established, as was all authority), people are now tasked with electing and reelecting their representative authorities, holding them accountable through impeachment or by voting them out. People can no longer be passive; they must either support or reject political leaders who fail to represent them, their interests, or their moral standards adequately. Now, government leaders represent the will of the people and their acceptance of the politician’s actions or beliefs. Absent some divine command, sovereign promise, or direct intervention by God, the people are responsible for holding their leaders responsible and making them accountable. Could it be that in this model of government the people act as God’s prophetic voice?
Thus, I am equally disturbed but have a different responsibility as part of a representative democracy. In this case, Christians should give grace to the man personally, but must condemn his immoral actions by replacing him as their representative.
We cannot allow the same hypocrisy experienced by allowing Senator Vitter, discovered to have used the “D.C. Madam” for prostitutes, to remain in office with our support, while condemning former Governor Spitzer, who used the services of a call girl and resigned. At his resignation, Spitzer stated:
“Over the course of my public life, I have insisted — I believe correctly — that people regardless of their position or power take responsibility for their conduct. I can and will ask no less of myself. For this reason, I am resigning from the office of governor.”
Is this response any less Godly than that of Sanford? Could it be the missing component of Sanford’s apology?
If I am still misunderstanding, please explain what you see as the practical extension of grace for Christians in this situation.
It’s important to take note that, yes, David was forgiven but his tryst with Bathsheba was the “beginning of the end” for him as a leader. His remaining years were punctuated by one humiliation after another and he never recovered from the incident. The message is clear, forgiveness does not equate to a removal of the consequences. We can never know the sincerity of his repentance but it is, nevertheless, beside the point is not? Much more relevant is the issue that by engaging in such conduct he revealed a number of profound leadership weaknesses which speak much more to the issue of his viability as a candidate. His massively poor judgment and disregard for the potential consequences severely undermine his viability as a future candidate regardless of his sincerity in repentance.
I completely agree with you, Bernie, about his viability. Although I, myself, may be willing to consider him after further proving ground, there is no way the public will do so.
So CNN just talked about the apology the governor gave to his staff, and said that he had compared his situation to the biblical character David. Did Mr. Adrian help the governor see the connection?
Kev
Haha. I received a number of voicemails and emails yesterday, Kevin, laughingly wondering the same thing. Actually, it’s interesting how many writers and leaders have considered the parallels. Someone pointed out to me that Jonathan Falwell released an article on Friday afternoon entitled, “Heroes Will Let You Down,” also drawing on the similarities.
Jerrod outstanding response his article. I think you were dead on.
Great job Adrian! Excellent writing and Christ-like perspective.
outstanding… outstanding!!!
Thanks man! Great post! I posted the link on my blog.
Hey, I really enjoyed the Op-Ed this morning. I hadn’t even thought about the fact King David did not confess his sin until he was confronted by God’s prophet.
Thank you, Adrian…
Your article is so incredible!
Thanks for sharing.
I agree that Gov Sanford (if he is regenerate believer) is forgiven, that Christ’s righteousness has been imputed to him. I sincerely hope that his marriage will be fully restored. And I hope that he did not use state funds to fly back and forth to Argentina for no other reason than this relationship. If he didn’t, then I think this will blow over quickly. It is just unfortunate because he was a leading fiscal conservative who was being eyed for 2012.
AWESOME, AWESOME article. I thought it was great. Great message, clearly communicated. Really, really great.
Thank you, Adrian, for your insightful, wise thoughts on this situation. As a Christian and a native of South Carolina, I was so disheartened by the news. Your perspective has been very helpful to me, personally! Blessings and love to you and your sweet family.
I’m fascinated at watching how differently Christians are responding to Mark Sanford than the tsunami of criticism Bill Clinton received. I’m sure there is some logical apologetic but it sure comes off as hypocritical at first blush.
Yes, the difference is, indeed, striking! As far as the immorality, there is nothing more commendable about one than the other. What, then, accounts for the difference, I wonder?
If I remember correctly… (and please correct me if I’m wrong)… President Clinton never gave a press conference out of brokeness and asking for forgiveness. He did have the “indeed I did have sexual relations with…” speech…
Perhaps that is the reason… and unfortunately we can’t overlook the fact that Clinton is a pro-choice democrat while Sanford is a pro-life republican. I’m sure political ideology had something to do w/ the response as well…
Great job on the article. … Thank you again for writing such an excellent piece. … I pray it will be a blessing to many.
I very much enjoyed reading your article. A very different viewpoint than most people out there, I think. And one worthwhile reading. I think it’s very nice that your wrote him a personal letter, too.
Adrian,
You’ve got a great website. I read your article about Gov. Sanford. I’ll agree with it in part. He was right to confess it. (Instead of lying about it under oath at a sexual harrassment trial like Clinton did). He was right to acknowledged that the behavior was wrong. (Instead of attacking the messenger like Clinton did).
Here is my opinion on the other issues that were raised:
“How can you be filled with admiration for a man like King David, yet disgusted by a man like Governor Sanford?”
I’m disgusted by both of them. David’s crime was worse. I think that both should accept a punishment. The Bible said that the Lord struck, and the child became ill and died. According to that , God did this
“Are their responses so different?”
They both asked for forgiveness. Only one of them resigned from a position.
“Once faced with the public, is there a response from Sanford you would have considered more godly?”
Resign from the position of governor of South Carolina. Resigning from the Republican Party leadership position is not sufficient. His bad judgment and cover-up (lying to his staff and letting them unknowingly tell a falsehood to the media on his behalf) show that he cannot be trusted with his executive duties.
“If you are disturbed that he remains in office, are you equally disturbed that King David remained in office?”
Yes, because by remaining in office, David set an example of a leader remaining above the laws of human government. King David’s offenses were so serious that I believe he should have abdicated the throne. Then, he should have submitted himself to the court of his successor, and pled guilty to murder and adultry. Then, he should have willingly accepted his punishment under the law of Israel. The alternative is to accept the proposition that the Magna Carta, enacted centuries later, was a big mistake — that Kings and leaders are answerable only to God, and that only non-Kings and non-leaders are are punishable under the laws of human government. But, instead, when David learned that God had “taken away his sin” and that David would not be killed by God, but that instead his son would be killed by God, David pleaded with God that even that would not be done. He wanted the Lord to be “gracious” to him and let the child live. He wanted absolutely NO consequences, even though he acknowledged to Nathan that he deserved punishment. When the Lord killed the son, David stopped fasting (it’s no use now) and went to bed with Bathsheba again. Then he conquered and enslaved several cities, and wrote more poetry. He never accepted responsibility, except in words. I don’t see anything under 2 Samuel 12 that I would want to incorporate into my life. Jesus said to take up my cross and follow him.
Gov. Sanford, on the other hand, should resign his position as governor. The only potential crimes that I see are adultry (which will never be charged), and misuse of state funds (not sure whether there is evidence of this).
“If you are ashamed of the governor, why are you not ashamed of David’s name?”
I admire 2 qualties of David: trust and courage (fighting a cruel enemy, Goliath). He should be admired for that. I’ll admire the Governor’s decision to resign from office.
It is very satisfying for me to hear a Christian reader answering the questions that I posed. That was a primary purpose of my article–to motivate a personal inventory on the part of the reader, to examine with conviction his/her own consistency in moral discernment. Thank you for allowing me “inside” as you honestly wrestled with these questions. This is a self-assessment that the Church, at large, desperately needs to practice regularly, and with honesty.
Adrian, wow, what a thoughtful article. Thanks for sharing your insight & thoughts. I believe you rightly reflect our Father’s heart.
Excellent article, and a proper perspective, I think. I’m forwarding it to several friends and people in our church. I’ve heard so much self-righteousness on talk radio the last few days that has disgusted me.
Loved it. A man of biblical grace you are. I’m blessed to have you as a friend.
Well said!
I looked it up–great article, Adrian! … If I were Mark Sanford, I would be grateful to you. …it is nice to know that you bestow forgiveness rather than place blame. Thank you.
Very well written. It is time the body of christ learn to embrace honesty and love each other inspite of our brokeness. Hopefully the days of facades are over and we can live in honesty and humility as we press towards the mark. Thank you.
Adrian, great article. I am encouraged by your wisdom and ability to communicate your heart. I had not heard about this governor yet from Iraq, and am glad to have discovered it first through your perspective. Thank you for sharing with us.
I am PROUD of Adrian!!!! You show Christlike wisdom and courage.
I read your article with interest. I agree with you on the comments you made concerning the governor. Anyone is subject to failing at anytime if we get our eyes off the Lord. However the Bible tells us to turn from our sin, but has the governor done that? After his wife found out about the affair and while they were supposingly receiving counseling to restore their marriage he again saw this woman. Even now has he broken off the affair completely? As far as him staying in office, if the country didn’t object to Bill Clinton staying in office why not the governor? Just a thought
Has the governor turned from his sin? That’s a great question. Many seemed convinced of the answer. I, for one, have yet to hear a legitimate answer to that question. Compounded with the question of behavior is also the question of the heart. Not only is it unclear to me what course of action Gov. Sanford has set in this area; but the real “sin” question, the question of the heart, will forever remain between the governor and the Lord.
Adrian, I read your article on cbn.com. thank you for expressing the compassion of christ. It says in john that moses brough us the law but that jesus brought us truth and GRACE. I think we as a church have lost an understanding of grace because we deem it uncompatiable with character. In a world where christians are closely scrutinized by everyone we fear being anything other than above reproach. The reality is that as we the body of christ respond to the hurting and broken with grace and healing we can show the world the wonder of the cross.
AWESOME article age… very…thought provoking…very proud to know the author…
Grace is always a very tough sell. Just ask the apostle Paul.
Adrian, I like the words you’ve written which God has given you concerning Mark Sanford’s situation. We do need to forgive him and not judge him; everyone has sinned and falls short of the glory of God. We are all guilty of sin. I hope Mark Sanford’s admission of his adultery and his confession is because he’s 100% genuinely sorry for what he has done and not because of the fact that he got caught. During one of his press conferences last week he mentioned he hurt many people. The first person he mentioned he hurt was the woman in Argentina. Then he mentioned he hurt his wife and sons. He should have mentioned foremost that he hurt his wife, his sons, and then he could name others to include the woman from Argentina. I believe, unfortunately, he’s more concerned about the woman from Argentina than he is about his wife. I hope I’m wrong. Never the less we need to pray for him, his wife, and their kids. We shouldn’t judge him, lest God will judge us by the same standards we judge others. Ron C. Heritage Christian Church, Falmouth, Massachusetts
I hope so, too, Ron… I hope so, too!
Adrian, you certainly made a few points I didn’t think about regarding Sanford.
Good job, glad I opened this.
I like this very much Age…. thanks for sharing!
Beautiful piece. I certainly concur with your thoughts. Keep up the good work!
Good work… it is well written… quite an honor.
Age, I wonder if opinions would differ if folks had someone fail them; if they’d been touched by this kind of situation…then how would they judge? Hmmmmm…..
Jerrod, sorry for not responding sooner. We just moved and I have yet to get internet access at home.
I think you are largely correct about what political consequences are due the man. I agree that the implications of public sin in a monarchy versus a democracy prove quite different–although I find it interesting to remember that God never desired an earthly monarchy in Israel. The Israelite people, not God, gave impetus to the establishment of a monarchical line. Thus, even the roots of David’s kingship hinted at democracy.
I agree with many that Mark Sanford should either step down or be removed as governor. But the spirit in which people seek his removal from office is key. Constituents can seek officeholders of character, even providing accountability to the point of demotion, and yet remain quick-to-forgive. Or constituents can demand impeccability of action by relegating their fallen leaders to the society of scum. I suppose Adrian, and you, advocate the former attitude. I know I do.
Hi Adrian… Your CBN article was excellent. And I mean that! You write well and showed appropriate concern over his failings while affirming his confession–not an easy thing to do. I especially thought you framed it well using King David’s story. Good work. You very last line is our hope. May he live up to his confession and this should be our prayer.
We are all unfaithful, to the extent only God knows! Thankfully He is never unfaithful!!!
I believe Peter totally loved Christ and has been hammered by the church for his unfaithfulness!
The quality of [a] man’s love for God can be easily measured by the time between the unfaithfullness and the repentance.
I’m a nobody but… Isn’t that why Jesus died on the cross for us…because we end up doing things we didn’t think we’d EVER do?
…there is a tension within the heart of man between loving God wholeheartedly and loving the world (1 John 2). Temptation, then, is an opportunity to move along the spectrum: Do I love God enough to refrain, or Do I still love the world in this particular area? We are always moving forward or backward, never staying the same. Thus, sin is a heart issue, just like we see in the accounts of all of the various kings of Israel and Judah. We are either hardening or softening our hearts to God. For me, Hebrews 3:12-14 is the best description of our heart-struggle with sin. It also gives a prescription for how to protect yourself from “hardening.” This understanding was essential in helping me win my struggle and overcome addictive behavior as a Christian.
We know God has given us a “measure of faith”…yet at the same time we also have doubt. We exhibit faithfulness in lives that are also sprinkled with failures…some large , some small, all forgivable when brought to the Redeemer.
For those who don’t remember Bill Clinton’s “I have sinned” speech refer here: http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/clinton-sin.htm
Mark Sanford – a man of his word? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090701/ap_on_re_us/us_sc_governor_records