People lie. This is a disappointing fact of life. People also compromise their values at the exact moment when they need to cling to them with the most fortitude. This is yet another disappointing fact that is bred by original sin.
The New Testament reinscribes the teachings of the Old when Romans 3:10-11 says, “As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God.”
No human being is righteous in the eyes of God apart from the salvation offered through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection as recorded in Holy Scripture.
Nonetheless, that does not mean we are not called to be discerning, as Jesus said in Matthew 10:16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
After allegations were raised by one of Herschel Walker’s ex-girlfriends that he pressured her to have an abortion, these, thus far unproven, accusations elicited a surprisingly muted response from conservatives. [1] [3]
While this story seems like a smear campaign, even the remotest possibility that it could be true does not seem to matter to right-leaning pundits like Dana Loesch who said:
“Winning is a virtue, and I’m not going to be baited, nor should you…What I’m about to say is by no means a contradiction or a compromise of a principle. Please keep in mind I’m concerned about one thing and one thing only at this point. So, I don’t care if Herschel Walker paid to abort endangered baby eagles—I want control of the Senate.” [4]
In response, the Huffington Post ran this headline: “NO PROBLEM HERE! [CONSERVATIVE] VOTERS GIVE WALKER A PASS ON ABORTION.” [2]
The fact that leftist news organizations like the HuffPo can plausibly make such a claim is shameful.
Walker should not be tried in the court of public opinion without evidence. That being said, it is still concerning that Loesch’s reaction appears to be indifference. Given that most pro-life, conservative voters describe themselves as Christian, the idea that she is prioritizing “conservative” political wins above all else is especially concerning.
These statements come dangerously close to saying that the political ends ought to justify the means. The New Testament teaches that Christians ought to not be so utilitarian.
We know from 2 Corinthians 5:17 that we are a new creation in Christ: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” We also know from Romans 7:12 that this new creation will reflect God’s perfect law, not the law of mankind. God’s law would not have us coldly calculate and justify immorality in the name of some “greater good.”
Christians must not fall into the tempting trap laid before us by this way of thinking.
By the same token, it is also important to remember that God has elevated and used imperfect and flawed people like King David, the adulterer and murderer, who was also described as a man after “God’s own heart” in Acts 13:22. People like this appear throughout the Bible in order to accomplish His purposes.
While Walker has admitted to having a “troubled past” he is just as deserving of the benefit of the doubt as anyone else. [5] It is entirely possible this story was made up to create bad press for him.
Politics is an ugly game and it is probable, even likely, that the claims being made against Walker are false. All the same, conservative Christians should care whether their representatives practice personally what they preach politically. Christians ought to be discerning, recognize that all are fallen, and act prudently to protect the interests of our nation as this story continues to unfold.
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[2] https://www.huffpost.com/entry/herschel-walker-abortion-georgia-senate_n_633ed137e4b03e8038c6888f
