Humility and repentance in the spotlight
21 July 2011
There has been a large display of humility and repentance among politicians and the media in recent days - but is it genuine? There has been a shift of policy but no change of heart. The deck chairs are being moved around the Titanic.
Rupert Murdoch called the day of his hearing before the House of Commons’ Culture, Media and Sport Committee in Portcullis House “the most humble day” of his life and his career.
The House of Commons displayed enough courage to support an enquiry into media conduct. Until recently, most MPs were afraid of the Murdoch press which could damage their reputation because, it appears, these politicians had a lot to hide which they feared the Murdoch press could and would uncover.
What is a humble day? Can a day be humble? More relevant - was Murdoch himself humbled, and in whose eyes? We can be forcibly humbled in the eyes of others, but not in our own eyes and even less so in the eyes of God. Scripture advises: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” 1Peter 5:6. Christians begin here and not when the whole world suddenly turns its attention on one or two of our failings. Three separate times the subject was raised during the long proceedings; and it was always the day which was humble. Even Rebekah Brooks in her subsequent testimony quoted this sentiment in the same manner: “I think you heard today from Rupert Murdoch, who said that this was, you know, the most humble day.” It was almost as if it was too much to say that the great man had been humbled.
Have politicians really changed? Do they plan to change their lives so that they need not fear the scrutiny of the press? These revelations should not surprise any Christian familiar with human nature, but it is eye-opening to see how differently people behave when the spotlight of publicity is turned on them. It shows that they do not realise that they are living their lives in the spotlight of God’s immediate gaze, nor that “God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it is good, or whether it is evil” Ecclesiates 12:14. This public hearing and embarrassment will be nothing compared to “the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” Romans 2:16.
Rupert Murdoch tried to curry favour with politicians by suggesting that their salary should be higher. In suggesting his solution to the MPs’ expenses scandal he said: “I think there is an answer to it and we ought to look at the most open and clear society in the world, which is Singapore, where every Minister gets at least $1 million a year, and the Prime Minister a lot more, and there is no temptation and it is the cleanest society you would find anywhere.” He insisted: “I mean that seriously. It is ridiculous that people were reduced to doing what they did.”
Some solution! On this principle, we should pay policemen, journalists and MPs so much money that they will be uncorruptible! Since when were rich men uncorruptible? Was it a poor salary which led to illegal phone hacking at the News of the World, or was not rather the culture of an over-bearing editorial policy which sought results at all costs? Pull the other leg – and diagnose the sin. Money does not solve corruption but makes corruption more likely. Rather we need the Gospel of Jesus Christ to cure corruption.
