Ravi Zacharias - what happened? Your thoughts?

[seeker2122]

Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation - Christianity Today

His ministry, preparing to downsize in the wake of a new investigation, expresses regret for “misplaced trust” in a leader who used his esteem to conceal his sexual misconduct.

www.christianitytoday.com

I haven't followed anyone closely so I don't know much about news or events that occur around Christians in the news.
I know Ravi Zacharias passed away a year ago and I know that he was serving in ministry for many decades. No one can
say anyone has perfect theology, but I thought Ravi Zacharias (and still do) was one of the best Christian educators/philosophers
of our time. I've always enjoyed his lectures, debates, and talks all around the world (on youtube).

I had no idea there was a follow up of some 'dirt' under the carpet and he's been investigated post-humously.
The problem I have with these kinds of stories is that it's easy to beat a man down when he's not around anymore to speak for himself.
I'm not saying he's completely innocent of any accusations, or misconduct/inappropriate behavior, but it sounds to me like he was
being severely smeared in his reputation based on his post-humous accusations. So it leaves believers like us in a strange spot.

Do we simply throw away and disregard the 40 or 50 years of ministry he's done in his life and truly did speak the Words of God or
have some of you decided he's completely a false teacher and threw away his books and all his teachings. I personally don't believe
he was a false teacher at all. 0% chance. Was he a sinner? Yes, we all are. It's just magnified even more since he was a man in a well-known
light and position. Even for your general pastors, if anything comes out about them, they certainly would lose their reputation and title
of being a pastor any longer (as the Bible says they should be "above reproach"). So maybe he stumbled, maybe he had his own struggles
with certain sins, but I don't believe that the words he spoke and the lessons he taught are not 100% truthful, biblical, and Holy Spirit inspired.

What are your guys thoughts?

 

[Tuur]

The problem I have is I can't say if Ravi Zacharias spoke for God or for the benefit of himself. If he believed what he wrote and preached, would he have done what he did? Only God can answer that. Still, that leaves me questioning whether I can trust what he wrote. I can't.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I believe he he may have been guilty of the accused sin, but, the Bible says Lord Jesus paid for his sins.

 

[spiritfilledjm]

Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation - Christianity Today

His ministry, preparing to downsize in the wake of a new investigation, expresses regret for “misplaced trust” in a leader who used his esteem to conceal his sexual misconduct.

www.christianitytoday.com

I haven't followed anyone closely so I don't know much about news or events that occur around Christians in the news.
I know Ravi Zacharias passed away a year ago and I know that he was serving in ministry for many decades. No one can
say anyone has perfect theology, but I thought Ravi Zacharias (and still do) was one of the best Christian educators/philosophers
of our time. I've always enjoyed his lectures, debates, and talks all around the world (on youtube).

I had no idea there was a follow up of some 'dirt' under the carpet and he's been investigated post-humously.
The problem I have with these kinds of stories is that it's easy to beat a man down when he's not around anymore to speak for himself.
I'm not saying he's completely innocent of any accusations, or misconduct/inappropriate behavior, but it sounds to me like he was
being severely smeared in his reputation based on his post-humous accusations. So it leaves believers like us in a strange spot.

Do we simply throw away and disregard the 40 or 50 years of ministry he's done in his life and truly did speak the Words of God or
have some of you decided he's completely a false teacher and threw away his books and all his teachings. I personally don't believe
he was a false teacher at all. 0% chance. Was he a sinner? Yes, we all are. It's just magnified even more since he was a man in a well-known
light and position. Even for your general pastors, if anything comes out about them, they certainly would lose their reputation and title
of being a pastor any longer (as the Bible says they should be "above reproach"). So maybe he stumbled, maybe he had his own struggles
with certain sins, but I don't believe that the words he spoke and the lessons he taught are not 100% truthful, biblical, and Holy Spirit inspired.

What are your guys thoughts?

Ravi Zacharias was truly one of the greatest Christian minds of this century, if not the greatest. Unfortunately, he did not live a perfect life, which none of us do. Lust is the biggest downfall of all leaders. David lusted and yet he was still called one after God's own heart and God still blessed him mightily.

As terrible as Dr. Zacharias' actions were, do we disregard his knowledge and teaching? No, I do not think so. He had a great way of putting Biblical truths the likes of which hadn't been seen. They were easy and understandable for him to explain. It's terrible what came out after his death 2 years ago, but to throw away his teachings is going over the top. Unfortunately, that seems to already have been done considering that virtually nobody is publishing his works or selling them any longer.

I promise you though that virtually every Christian leader has something that they are struggling with, or will struggle with, that would cause people to question if they should even be in ministry.

 

[DaisyDay]

What is the line then? Anything short of blasphemy?

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

What is the line then? Anything short of blasphemy?

There is only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus paid it all.

 

[DaisyDay]

There is only blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Jesus paid it all.

So, no line at all?

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

So, no line at all?

Not really. When it comes to salvation, it is complete. Jesus said it is finished.

 

[DaisyDay]

Not really. When it comes to salvation, it is complete. Jesus said it is finished.

I was speaking of the line drawn for revering a sinner.

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I was speaking of the line drawn for revering a sinner.

what is revering?

 

[DaisyDay]

what is revering?

To revere:

revered; revering​

​

transitive verb​

: to show devoted deferential honor to : regard as worthy of great honor​

revere the aged​

revere tradition​

 

[Adventist Dissident]

The problem I have with this situation is that it's after the fact. There seems to be a trend about non-Christian people secular and pagan to want a tear apart Christians and manufacture evidence or extend evidence further than what the actual incidents are. I sight to you the former president of the United States Donald Trump as an example of that. While he has many faults in his committed many sins that is not in dispute they make up stuff about him that is simply not true and people believe it. Now if he does something wrong even if it's a minor incident it only gives them fuel to the fire they'll twist everything he says and does and take it to whatever extreme they want. This is what I have a problem with the Ravi Zacharias situation exactly what is the nature of his crimes into what detail I don't know. But if they could over exaggerate what he did they will. If they could take out a major apologist and silence his voice then they will do that.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation - Christianity Today

His ministry, preparing to downsize in the wake of a new investigation, expresses regret for “misplaced trust” in a leader who used his esteem to conceal his sexual misconduct.

www.christianitytoday.com

I haven't followed anyone closely so I don't know much about news or events that occur around Christians in the news.
I know Ravi Zacharias passed away a year ago and I know that he was serving in ministry for many decades. No one can
say anyone has perfect theology, but I thought Ravi Zacharias (and still do) was one of the best Christian educators/philosophers
of our time. I've always enjoyed his lectures, debates, and talks all around the world (on youtube).

I had no idea there was a follow up of some 'dirt' under the carpet and he's been investigated post-humously.
The problem I have with these kinds of stories is that it's easy to beat a man down when he's not around anymore to speak for himself.
I'm not saying he's completely innocent of any accusations, or misconduct/inappropriate behavior, but it sounds to me like he was
being severely smeared in his reputation based on his post-humous accusations. So it leaves believers like us in a strange spot.

Do we simply throw away and disregard the 40 or 50 years of ministry he's done in his life and truly did speak the Words of God or
have some of you decided he's completely a false teacher and threw away his books and all his teachings. I personally don't believe
he was a false teacher at all. 0% chance. Was he a sinner? Yes, we all are. It's just magnified even more since he was a man in a well-known
light and position. Even for your general pastors, if anything comes out about them, they certainly would lose their reputation and title
of being a pastor any longer (as the Bible says they should be "above reproach"). So maybe he stumbled, maybe he had his own struggles
with certain sins, but I don't believe that the words he spoke and the lessons he taught are not 100% truthful, biblical, and Holy Spirit inspired.

What are your guys thoughts?

My thoughts on this issue are all in the following CF link, especially in the last two pages of that link:

The Ravi Zacharias scandal and....his books on my shelves.

For those of you who may not have heard, Ravi Zacharias was a well-known Christian Evangelical apologist who passed away several months ago. Over the years I've heard Ravi on the radio maybe a dozen times, defending the Christian faith and firmly refuting non-believers. And while he wasn't my...

www.christianforums.com

And my thoughts on it haven't changed since then.

 

[DaisyDay]

The problem I have with this situation is that it's after the fact. There seems to be a trend about non-Christian people secular and pagan to want a tear apart Christians and manufacture evidence or extend evidence further than what the actual incidents are. I sight to you the former president of the United States Donald Trump as an example of that. While he has many faults in his committed many sins that is not in dispute they make up stuff about him that is simply not true and people believe it. Now if he does something wrong even if it's a minor incident it only gives them fuel to the fire they'll twist everything he says and does and take it to whatever extreme they want. This is what I have a problem with the Ravi Zacharias situation exactly what is the nature of his crimes into what detail I don't know. But if they could over exaggerate what he did they will. If they could take out a major apologist and silence his voice then they will do that.

Apparently, he bought a lot of sex with church funds. He seems to have coerced some women. At least one claimed it was rape.

https://www.courthousenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/zacharias-report.pdf

Ravi Zacharias Hid Hundreds of Pictures of Women, Abuse During Massages, and a Rape Allegation - Christianity Today

His ministry, preparing to downsize in the wake of a new investigation, expresses regret for “misplaced trust” in a leader who used his esteem to conceal his sexual misconduct.

www.christianitytoday.com

 

[DaisyDay]

Ravi Zacharias Was Not Some Average Sinner in the Church. He Was a Predator With a Profound Psychiatric Problem | The Wartburg Watch 2024

thewartburgwatch.com

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

I was speaking of the line drawn for revering a sinner.

According to scripture, there is not anyone who is without sin. In fact scripture says
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

 

[Blade]

Well I really liked the man of God. He's gone he's in heaven and any sin he may have done is not will not ever be held to his account. God does not even remember this. What gets me is how believers talk. Each one here has sin and some choose to have it measured so their sin is really not as bad. Then if Ravi was stand with Christ and then we standing there also. Not one believer is with out sin we just make up this measuring system where our sin is nothing like "that" persons! So if Ravi was standing with Christ and then we standing there not ONE believer would say a word. You would know just by His presences He died for ALL your sin. There is no sin He forgot to die for.

He will wonder how is it you remember something I do not? What happen to 70*7 for Ravi is a bother in Christ. Then to know Ravi never sinned against us only God as its written. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

No clue why we don't think he repented. If you followed me around you might have some questions about my faith. But what only GOD sees and knows is I truly repent every day. Even those sins I was stuck in. You know exactly what I mean. So we have a choice to be like Christ or like the world. We know and praise GOD Christ every forgave and died for our sis yet look how we treat someone 'OTHERS" say he was not perfect. Yeah no one here is sharing there personal life and all the sins they do lol. Not the lies or drinking or smoking, not going to Church, struggling with lust, not praying 24/7 about everything and reading the word every day that we were told to keep before our eyes.

Were told how to think "brethren (yep you and me) whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." how to talk. To never ever let any corrupt, unwholesome,/bad/negative communication ever come out of our mouth but that which is good to help to edify "Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]."

Look at each other as Christ and God see you. Each one of us have this flesh that is not changed. All this is mute he's not here its only one side of a story and is anyone thinking about his family? Just gossip."casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true." Yeah again Ravi is not here to defend himself. I know how my GOD looks at me and for 61 years never once pointed out my sin my faults. When I wanted and was going to leave him because my heart convicted me 24/7 of sin. Do you know what He saw? He asked me what was righteousness and then asked how do you get righteousness. He has never once made me feel guilty something they OT did make offering's for yet Christ also died for guilt. Did you know that? Theres no measuring system here. Lust or a lie both God hates.

Its whats in my heart is how I speak. I am no ones judge. So whatever you did or do.. He does not condemn you not judging you loves you. Just repent and keep going. Stuck in some sin? DON'T run from Him run to Him. Keep getting up dusting off keep going. Matters not what others say or think. GOD loves you GOD sees you holy righteous. I will not play the speculation game. If I offended forgive me

 

[DaisyDay]

According to scripture, there is not anyone who is without sin. In fact scripture says
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

So, should any man be revered? Or should all men be revered?

 

[DaisyDay]

Well I really liked the man of God. He's gone he's in heaven and any sin he may have done is not will not ever be held to his account. God does not even remember this. What gets me is how believers talk. Each one here has sin and some choose to have it measured so their sin is really not as bad. Then if Ravi was stand with Christ and then we standing there also. Not one believer is with out sin we just make up this measuring system where our sin is nothing like "that" persons! So if Ravi was standing with Christ and then we standing there not ONE believer would say a word. You would know just by His presences He died for ALL your sin. There is no sin He forgot to die for.

He will wonder how is it you remember something I do not? What happen to 70*7 for Ravi is a bother in Christ. Then to know Ravi never sinned against us only God as its written. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

No clue why we don't think he repented. If you followed me around you might have some questions about my faith. But what only GOD sees and knows is I truly repent every day. Even those sins I was stuck in. You know exactly what I mean. So we have a choice to be like Christ or like the world. We know and praise GOD Christ every forgave and died for our sis yet look how we treat someone 'OTHERS" say he was not perfect. Yeah no one here is sharing there personal life and all the sins they do lol. Not the lies or drinking or smoking, not going to Church, struggling with lust, not praying 24/7 about everything and reading the word every day that we were told to keep before our eyes.

Were told how to think "brethren (yep you and me) whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." how to talk. To never ever let any corrupt, unwholesome,/bad/negative communication ever come out of our mouth but that which is good to help to edify "Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak]."

Look at each other as Christ and God see you. Each one of us have this flesh that is not changed. All this is mute he's not here its only one side of a story and is anyone thinking about his family? Just gossip."casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details that are not confirmed as being true." Yeah again Ravi is not here to defend himself. I know how my GOD looks at me and for 61 years never once pointed out my sin my faults. When I wanted and was going to leave him because my heart convicted me 24/7 of sin. Do you know what He saw? He asked me what was righteousness and then asked how do you get righteousness. He has never once made me feel guilty something they OT did make offering's for yet Christ also died for guilt. Did you know that? Theres no measuring system here. Lust or a lie both God hates.

Its whats in my heart is how I speak. I am no ones judge. So whatever you did or do.. He does not condemn you not judging you loves you. Just repent and keep going. Stuck in some sin? DON'T run from Him run to Him. Keep getting up dusting off keep going. Matters not what others say or think. GOD loves you GOD sees you holy righteous. I will not play the speculation game. If I offended forgive me

Was it necessary that he confess, repent and ask for forgiveness or did Jesus die for all of us equally?

 

[Handmaid for Jesus]

So, should any man be revered? Or should all men be revered?

IMHO the only man that should be revered is Jesus Christ.