Tiger Woods: “Man-Caused Disaster”
by Trevor Thomas
December 11, 2009
Tiger Woods: “Man-Caused
Disaster.” (Or, if you prefer, a “Weapon of Vast
Indiscretion.”) In a sad way, the greatest golfer in the world has done
the Obama administration a service. He has clarified
what is meant by this ambiguous (and ridiculous) phrase. With 12 mistresses now
revealed, if there ever was a “man-caused disaster” it’s Tiger.
Of course, none of this is funny. It is a tragedy played out far too often
today, especially by celebrities who have the fame and fortune to attempt to
pull off something like juggling 12 women along with a wife and children. Male
athletes especially seem to have the penchant for this kind of activity. At
least Woods’ many trysts did not produce children (that we know of). Consider former
NFL running back and Tennessee Volunteer, Travis Henry. In August of 2007, the
AJC reported that he was in financial ruin, having fathered 9 children by 9
different women across four states. Talk about a disaster!
Tiger is just the latest (though perhaps the “greatest”) in a seemingly
infinite line of public figures to have his indiscretions laid bare before a
gawking public. Adulterous behaviors have brought down some of the most
powerful men in the world.
Glenn Richardson, Speaker of the Georgia House, recently resigned his position
due to his adultery. South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford, who had been
mentioned as a strong GOP candidate for President, has seen his political
career and personal life in upheaval because of his adultery. Democratic
Presidential candidate John Edwards saw his political career go up in smoke due
to adultery. Bill Clinton, one of only two
Truly, as Proverbs says, “For the lips of an adulteress drip honey, and her
speech is smoother than oil; but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a
double-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the
grave.”
Undoubtedly, the consequences of adultery are far reaching, especially when it
leads to divorce. As C.S. Lewis points out, divorce “is more like having your
legs cut off than it is like dissolving a business partnership or even
deserting a regiment.” Thus Woods’ children could end up as the most tragic
victims here.
The list of handicaps is long for children of divorce: They are more likely to
experience mental and physical health problems, run away, commit suicide,
engage in promiscuous sex, drop out of school, go to prison, etc. Woods’
marriage is certainly on shaky ground, as would be any marriage with such
infidelities. If his marriage is broken beyond repair, the consequences will
sadly play out most significantly in the lives of his children.
Practically every one of us knows a marriage broken by adultery. This is just
one of the consequences of living in a culture that is obsessed with sex. As
John MacArthur concludes, “Within the moral realm in
our society the conflict is almost exclusively about sex.” Abortion,
fornication, homosexuality, divorce, etc., he adds, are all sexual issues.
Writing on sexual morality, C.S. Lewis said, “Chastity is the most unpopular of
the Christian virtues. There is no getting away from it: the old Christian rule
is, ‘Either marriage, with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total
abstinence.’” However, Lewis adds that, “perfect chastity—like perfect
charity—will not be obtained by any merely human efforts. You must ask for
God’s help.”
To truly straighten out his life, this is where Tiger (and anyone else in such
a situation) must turn. No amount of therapy, etc. will produce the results
that the Creator of the universe can. Just as with any other human being’s
transgressions, there is redemptive hope for Tiger—even to the point of saving
his marriage. Remember, nothing is too hard for God.
One last point. As we gaze upon this disaster, we must
remember that without God, any of us is capable of terrible sin. None of us can
truly trust ourselves, even in our best moments, to continuously live the life
that we should. Everyone’s struggles and temptations are different. What is
constant is the path to true joy and peace. Here’s hoping that Tiger finds
himself on that straight-and-narrow way very soon.
Copyright 2009, Trevor Grant Thomas