Douglas Wilson
Credenda Agenda Vol. 10 No. 2
Rumor thrives in two environments. The first is obvious. When men who love to wag the tongue are so undisciplined that they refuse to confirm what they pass on, the ninth commandment is clearly broken. The environment is that which is established by the lying tongue. The world has always contained many who have loved to live in this way—and Christians condemn all such gossip, slander, libel, and wild speculation, particularly when it has to do with a "ruler of your people" (Acts 23:5).
But
another breeding ground for rumor exists as well, and this is why we have seen
such a remarkable explosion of astounding reports in recent years. This
environment for rumor is created when the courts of justice have been
hopelessly compromised and corrupted, and have been turned aside from their
ordained and appointed use. When this happens, it means that those who have
reasonable grounds to make an accusation are prevented from doing so by a
conspiracy of factors—awareness of the futility of the endeavor, knowledge of
the widespread corruption and bribery, real fear of being dismissed as a crank,
concern about physical harm, and so forth. The throne of iniquity has no
fellowship with God, and the righteous know that these guys are good at framing
mischief through a law (Ps. 94:20). Anyone who believes that unbelieving
secularism can have become the established faith in our nation without a gross
corruption of the courts of justice simply does not understand the biblical
teaching of antithesis. This is not written as a warning of things to come, but
rather as an explanation of what has already occurred to us. Res agitur.
When
someone cannot lawfully be charged with wrongdoing—even when plain and evident
proof of that wrongdoing exists—then the available information seeks another
route. Meantime, the one who is officially "bulletproof" believes he
may conduct his affairs with a high hand because he knows he has the official
system in his back pocket. This creates an abundant demand for information from
those who disseminate it through the new channels. In our day, when the courts
no longer settle anything that looks or smells like justice, the new channels
are books by alternative publishers and internet newspapers.
When
someone is bold enough to mention such things as will be mentioned below, he
will be indignantly told that these are all unconfirmed internet rumors, none of
this has been established in a court of law, no controlling legal authority…etc.
Quite so. We're sorry. So may we be permitted to present all this evidence in a
court of law? No?
Our
president[1] is
well-known for his sexual immorality and financial corruption. Tragically, this
considered by itself does not make him unique among our presidents. But it must
honestly be said that he has brought an old game to new levels of performance.
In addition, in the minds of those whose understanding goes past what they hear
from Peter Jennings, he is also under reasonable suspicion of drug trafficking,
cocaine use, obstruction of justice, perjury, and serial murder. These are
reasonable charges, with enough evidence to bring a biblical charge in a court
of law, provided that the court has not been previously subverted. But here is our
dilemma—the courts have been.
Now
the loyal opposition is of no use in such situations. The Republicans believe
themselves to be conservatives, but they have an ineluctable problem before
them. Scandal of the garden variety helps them out, helps them considerably in
the next election. Then, if everything goes well, they can be king of
the hill. But scandals of this magnitude call into question the legitimacy of
the entire regime, that entire interlocking power grid which we call the
Washington establishment. This includes
the media and Congress, lobbyists and presidents, cabinet officers and big
business, White House interns and Starbucks employees. If such charges are
true, then that whole sorry ganglion on the Potomac needs to go.
Our
"national greatness" conservatives are of course appalled at the
corruption and mendacity of the current administration. But for the most part
they remain quiet about it—why? And those who are not quiet are attacked by the
tamed conservatives with a ferocity which can only come from fear. This is not
the same kind of corruption as was found in the administrations of Ulysses
Grant or Herbert Hoover. Our national life now lingers between a struggling
consciousness and the collapse of final surrender. We are afflicted with the
kind of disease which attends great republics, hacking pitifully on their
deathbeds.
Nevertheless,
we pretend otherwise, which calls to mind a comment from Pirates of Penzance,
where it is said that there are "the remains of a fine woman" about
Ruth. The vestiges of blessing which we still enjoy these days are enough to
convince many that these problems are transient and will pass away. A cancer
patient may truly enjoy those times in which he denies everything he knows. But
reality is not optional, and truth haunts.
When
an accuser is refuted in open court, we may all rejoice at the defeat of
slander. But when potential accusers are found dead in an open ditch, our
thoughts turn in another melancholier direction. The silver has become dross,
the wine is filled with water, the bread is made with sawdust, and Lady Justice
has taken to sleeping around.
"Hear
this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of
Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. They build up Zion with
blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity" (Micah 3:9-10).
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