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Dinesh D'Souza Scandal and Finishing Well

Dinesh D'Souza Scandal and Finishing Well

Update, Oct 18: Dinesh D’Souza has resigned from his role as President at The King’s College according to Christianity Today.
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It’s the worst type of story. Yesterday, World Magazine published a shocking account about Dinesh D’Souza. Christianity Today summarized the scandal:

Dinesh D’Souza, president of The King’s College and a well-known evangelical author, faces questions from his board over his relationship with a woman he introduced as his fiancee in late September, according to World magazine. The problem? D’Souza, who has experienced a “meteoric rise in the evangelical world,” is still married to his wife of 20 years, Dixie. World reports that D’Souza and his wife filed for divorce on Oct. 4, but D’Souza appeared at a September speaking event in South Carolina with a “young woman, Denise Odie Joseph II, and introduced her to at least three people as his fiancée.”

D’Souza not only introduced her as his fiancée, but he also shared a hotel room with her at that same speaking event. The King’s College has launched it’s own investigation into the issue, but the facts we know now–and D’Souza’s own words–are self-indicting and will have major repercussions for his university and the credibility of his witness. I don’t amplify Mr. D’Souza’s missteps to gloat in them. I do so to mourn with him, his family and the ministry of The King’s College in the midst of this ugliness. And I do so to unearth the uncomfortable questions:
How can we help our Christian leaders finish well? How many more Christian leaders need to publicly collapse for us to get serious about its implications?
It is incredibly discouraging to learn about the moral failures of a prominent evangelical leader like Mr. D’Souza. And it’s not a new story. From Ted Haggard (President of the National Evangelical Alliance) to Bob Pierce (founder of World Vision and Samaritan’s Purse) to Tom White (executive director of Voice of the Martyrs) …we have read this heartbreaking story before. Christian leaders are not immune to sin. You can make a compelling argument that they’re even more susceptible than anyone else to collapse. We serve a God whose love for his children is unchanging and whose grace is always sufficient. And it’s because of our shared depravity that we have a responsibility as Christians to protect each other from succumbing to it.

Dinesh D’Souza (source: Amazon.com)


Mr. D’Souza’s situation makes me even more resolute about the importance of Peter Greer‘s forthcoming book, The Spiritual Danger of Doing Good. With Peter’s permission, I’ve posted a timely and important excerpt from the book’s introduction (releasing next year). Peter is taking a huge personal risk in penning this book, but I applaud him for the audacity to do so. When moral failures plague Christian leaders, it is magnified in the public eye. But the reality is, this book is one all Christians need. All those who are sinners, at least.

When I looked at Scripture for guidance, what I found troubled me. Only 30 percent of biblical leaders finished well. People who hear from God and even perform amazing miracles seem just as likely to blow it as everyone else.
Our renewed emphasis on doing great things for God, without focused attention on who we are becoming, might be pushing an energetic and service-oriented Church towards a backlash of spiritual disillusionment, faith fallout, and personal burnout.
I truly celebrate the renewed movement of service, and I am cheering for you as you go out and tackle the world’s greatest issues in the name of Christ. But I desperately want more than 30 percent of us to finish well. And to finish well, you and I first need to learn to live well. And to live well, we need to be willing to uncover the unique challenges and temptations that accompany our good deeds. 

A prayer from the Valley of Vision:
Keep me ever mindful of my natural state,
but let me not forget my heavenly title,
or the grace that can deal with every sin.
Amen. 

Newt Gingrich vs. President Obama vs. Peter Greer

Newt Gingrich vs. President Obama vs. Peter Greer

Self-congratulation sits on the throne of the political process. Apparently the social rules our parents instruct us to follow don’t apply for many aspirants of public office. When the spotlights splash the debate stage or the cameras roll in the Oval Office, hubris emerges as the dialect of choice.
In a recent Republican debate, Newt Gingrich claimed he defeated the Soviet empire. Without blushing or apologizing, The Newt consistently points out how he rescued the world from communism and from complete social collapse. You don’t have to listen long to get the clear sense that Newt is Newt’s biggest fan.
Across the political aisle, President Obama consistently reveals his lofty views of himself. During a 60 Minutes interview last month, he gave us a glimpse into his self-opinions, and it’s awfully rosy:

 I would put our legislative and foreign policy accomplishments in our first two years against any president — with the possible exceptions of Johnson, F.D.R., and Lincoln — just in terms of what we’ve gotten done in modern history. -Barack Obama

My issue isn’t with whether President Obama is one of the top four presidents in our country’s history or if Newt shredded the Iron Curtain. My issue is that they don’t seem to have any hesitation about making these claims. My dad always taught me that the best leaders celebrate others, not themselves.
Whenever I watch the self-complimenting love fest our political leaders have with themselves, I am reminded of how grateful I am to work with a leader who militantly fights against arrogance. Peter Greer hails from Harvard and became CEO at HOPE International in his twenties. He speaks three languages and is just as comfortable in front of a balance sheet as he is in front of an audience.
Since Peter has taken the helm at HOPE, revenue has grown at a 31% annual rate (from under $1M in 2004 to over $8M in 2011) and the global footrpint expanded from a handful of countries to 16 countries across four continents. The guy deserves at least a few humble-brags. And though I know (with biblical proof) that Peter isn’t perfect, he exhibits the only leadership quality I think is indispensable: Humility.

One of many bragworthy Peter moments


I’m grateful to serve in an organization that is built around others-congratulating leadership. What a joy to work in a team environment where “who gets credit” is, quite simply, unimportant. Now please, Peter, don’t let this go to your head. I don’t want this post to lead you to claim you single-handedly defeated poverty or that you’re the fourth-best CEO the world has ever known.
You can follow Peter here: @peterkgreer

On Helping the Poor: Book Recommendations

I often get asked by friends for book recommendations on helping the poor. There are many wonderful texts on this important topic, but here are a few of my favorites, all of which are very reader-friendly:

  • Compassion, Justice and the Christian Life, Robert LuptonProbably the most influential 100 pages I have read on this topic. Lupton’s focus is on his experience in domestic urban ministry, but the principles are broadly relevant. I wrote an entire post about this book last year.
  • Giving Wisely or When Helping Hurts, Jonathan Martin or Brian Fikkert/Steve Corbett – I share these two as an either/or because there are such similar themes woven throughout both books (in short: we need to closely examine whether our attempts to “help” internationally are truly helping). Giving Wisely is a must-read for all missions pastors/committees and is oriented towards church programs to help the poor. When Helping Hurts is still a nationwide bestseller, nearly a year after its release, which is indicative of this book’s poignancy.
  • The Poor Will be Glad, Peter Greer – Full disclosure: Four years ago, I was Peter’s executive assistant at HOPE International, where I still work. After returning from a trip to Afghanistan, Peter handed me a stack of his own wrinkled business cards with small handwritten notes lining both sides. These business cards, the only paper available to Peter as he flew over Afghanistan in a rusty Russian helicopter, were the first draft of this book. Peter asked me to translate the scrawling into a Word document. Fast forward to October, 2009…and the book was published by Zondervan and is on its third printing. I have already identified my personal bias, but, that aside, this is an excellent book, specifically if you want to learn more about Christ-centered microfinance. And it’s loaded with award-winning photography — who doesn’t love a good picture book?

There are a few excellent academic books, which are fantastic if you are looking to dive a bit deeper. These books are not easy reads, but each is loaded with great content:

  • Walking with the Poor, Bryant Myers – Great overview of why Christians should be concerned with helping the poor. Myers also outlines the theological underpinnings for how we should help.
  • The Bottom Billion, Paul Collier – An examination of what makes poor countries poorer, and on what factors have prevented these poor countries and their citizens, the bottom billion, from entering the global economy.
  • Portfolios of the Poor, Stuart Rutherford – How do the poor really live on less than $2 day? This book looks at the financial habits, tools and coping mechanisms the poor use to manage meager incomes.
  • The Mystery of Capital, Fernando de Soto – The title is a great summary. De Soto looks at why capitalism has thrived in many parts of the world, but not caught on in others. Focuses heavily on property rights, legal systems and financial inclusion.
  • White Man’s Burden by William Easterly or Dead Aid by Dambisa Moyo – As you might surmise, these two books illuminate the incredibly low ROI the West has received from the trillions of dollars we have invested in aid in the developing world. Both Easterly and Moyo are scathing in their criticism of aid, but the data is irrefutable. In most cases, there is an inverse relationship in countries between a) the amount of government aid received and b) the prosperity of its citizens.

That should get you started. Have I missed any of your favorites?