I just realized that I have neglected to say anything about Mel Gibson's recent DUI arrest and his embarassing drunken outburst about Jews. Probably the best explanation that I have read regarding Gibson's shameful behavior was written by Dr. Andrew Jackson:
My defense of Mel Gibson is based on the fact that everyone of us hides the inner struggles and ugliness of our fallen, imperfect human natures. When we are walking in the Holy Spirit, we are able to demonstrate self-discipline to keep what is often swirling within us from coming out.
In other words, from the outside perspective we are pretty good Christians, and yet we all struggle with ugly thoughts bouncing around in our minds and hearts.
But, when Gibson left the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit behind and entered into an alcoholic drunken blasted-out-of-his-mind state, his self-control cork popped and the ugliness within him came flowing out of his mouth.
Don’t believe me, well, I would predict that if you pour a few bottles of wiskey down the throats of such great Christian leaders like Hybels, Warren, Swindol, Sproul, or even Billy Graham, the things that would likely come out of their mouths would shock the world.
Fallen Human Nature + Large Amounts of Alcohol = Verbal Sin
Yeah. What he said.
Pastor Mark Daniels believes that Mel Gibson is through in Hollywood. I think it might be too early to make that call. Hollywood has been extraordinarily forgiving of all kinds of repulsive and immoral behavior: adultery, drug abuse, alcoholism, adolescent pornography, and even statutory rape. Mel Gibson is a talented filmmaker and actor who has made a number of extraordinarily good movies. It would be difficult for Hollywood to simply throw away anyone with the kind of money making potential that Gibson has.
Then again, when the Hollywood power brokers have names like Spielberg, Katzenberg, and Weinstein, you have to wonder if the forgiveness will finally run out.
Regardless, we should keep Mel Gibson in our prayers and pray that he overcomes his alcoholism and that he will completely surrender his life to Christ.
(Bullwinkle Blog says that Mel is "... stupid, most likely a bigot and definitely a drunk but far from evil. In Massachussetts that would mean he’s one dead girl short of a senate seat." Heh.)
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