“If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
-Matthew 18:6, NIV
More and more is coming out regarding the behavior of late Christian apologist, Ravi Zacharias. The latest supporting the allegations of sexual misconduct comes from World Magazine (article here).
The short version is a massage worker reported RZ in 2009 requesting “more than a message” to her manager, Anna Adesanya. This led to the therapist getting fired after they confronted RZ who became defensive.
This series of events highlights yet another reason why other therapists have waited to come forward. They watched a colleague get fired shortly after bringing up the improper request to management. However, that is not the focus of this post.
I want to highlight why having a solid, impartial denominational investigation is so important.
RZ was ordained with the Christian & Missionary Alliance (C&MA)* denomination. They have stood by RZ following the first wave of accusations from Lori Anne Thompson. Now, they are starting to reconsider their stance and reexamining his behavior.
I hope they come forth and make a formal apology to Thompson and all the alleged victims of RZ. C&MA failed them.
It is important for denominations to hold their ministers to account for their abusive behavior. The problem is that this is not always done or done well. Money, status, and power can influence these processes.
Plus, we all have blind spots.
I wonder if C&MA had some blind spots as it related to RZ. They clearly did not want to believe Lori Anne Thompson, and now, they are looking really bad with all this collaborating accounts coming forth indicating RZ likely was a habitual abuser.
An important point to make is that this latest revelation or accusation about RZ took place prior to the events involving Lori Anne Thompson. In other words, RZ was likely engaging in this sort of behavior for a while. It ought never have happened to Thompson.
When denominations are working well and truly honoring God, they support the abused and hold the ministerial abusers to account.
This is why I do not resent denominations for checking ministerial backgrounds or asking about the circumstances around a divorce. They are accountable to God for entrusting the sheep to the care of these ministers. These questions need to be asked.
I hope C&MA does a more thorough investigation this time around. Plus, I hope they are willing to humble themselves–as I believe is warranted–in seeking forgiveness of the victims in this situation. Such would be a good model for other evangelical denominations to follow.
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*To be clear, I am not attacking this denomination per se. I am just highlighting a breakdown in this case as I see it. The same could and likely does happen in other denominations, sadly. Hopefully, we all can learn from this.
