Like most Christians, I'm watching the unfolding Michael Tait revelations with a potent mixture of both anger and revulsion. The latest disclosure about the Christian singer's alleged behavior is beyond disgusting.
From The Christian Post:
A woman who toured with the Grammy-nominated Christian band Newsboys in 2014 has alleged a crew member raped her while former lead singer Michael Tait watched from inside the hotel room , according to a new report by The Roys Report.
The woman, identified under the pseudonym 'Nicole,' told the outlet she believes she was drugged by Tait during a night out at a Fargo hotel bar while on tour with the band and ministry Pulse, led by Nick Hall. She alleges she later blacked out and was sexually assaulted by Newsboys lighting technician Matthew Brewer in a third-floor hotel room.
Video footage cited in the report and reviewed by Fargo police reportedly shows Tait entering and leaving Brewer's room multiple times in the early hours of Dec. 16, 2014. At one point, surveillance shows Tait laughing and physically touching Brewer outside the door, then re-entering the room behind Nicole and Brewer. The woman later stumbled back to her own room and collapsed in the hallway, according to footage.
It seems so insufficient and cliché to say that, should these accusations prove true, I hope this woman receives justice. Just punishment for her assailants, no matter how severe and thorough, will not undo her trauma or alleviate her emotional scars. Only Jesus, and the hope He alone brings of a future life without sorrow and the sting of regret and suffering, can do that.
But to be blunt, it's difficult to read these emerging details and see Jesus. These are supposedly His followers, His "champions" out there doing unspeakable things against innocent people (in many cases, their own brothers and sisters in Christ). Where is the work of the Holy Spirit in any of this? Forget living the sanctified, righteous life that mature believers are supposed to be living. This stuff is worse than pagan behavior.
So, though we are far from the victims in this sorry tale, I think there are a few important things for Christians to remember in moments like this.
First, sin must be taken seriously. While all of us can be eternally grateful that the unimaginable grace of God is real, while we can be thankful beyond measure that there is no offender to whom it doesn't reach, the need for accountability is just as real. For the credibility of the Church, we must walk in truth by confronting sin honestly. While we can pray for the repentance and restoration of any sinner, Paul makes it clear in Galatians that we are to respond in a way that reflects both justice and mercy. That means caring for victims, guarding against hypocrisy, and learning from what went so tragically wrong.
Second, as believers we should remember that our faith must always be in Christ, not in Christian celebrities. It's an easy thing to say, but human nature makes it much harder to do. We want heroes, we want people to look up to, we want role models. And while there's nothing necessarily wrong with the impulse, everyone we might put confidence in is prone to tragic failure. Except one Person, that is.
Celebrity culture greatly increases worldly pressures and temptations. The idols of this world sparkle all the more under the bright lights of fame. It's why Paul warns believers, "If you think you are standing firm," - and who has a greater likelihood of feeling pride in their worldly standing than celebrities and stars - "be careful that you don't fall." Tait fell hard, and seemingly enabled a culture of violence and abuse around him. It's a sobering reminder not to idolize personalities or tie our faith too closely to them.
Stay grounded in Christ, grieve sin honestly, extend forgiveness wisely, and pray for the inexhaustible grace of God to extend to victim and offender in ways that ultimately glorify Him and grow His kingdom.
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Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Not the Bee or any of its affiliates.
