Our culture worships success; the Epstein Files reveal the cost - Baptist News Global

Like many of you, I have followed the disturbing reports surrounding the Epstein case. Behind every headline are women who were exploited and abused. Many have shown extraordinary courage in coming forward and seeking justice. Because powerful people across the political spectrum are named, full accountability may never come.

As I have reflected on these reports, I have found myself thinking less about the political implications and more about the spiritual and moral ones. I want to offer a pastoral reflection so our perspective is not merely shaped by social media or the news cycle, but by our commitment to the ethics of God’s kin-dom.

This is not about one political party or one public figure, but about the condition of the human heart.

As Americans, we idolize wealth, power and fame. The Epstein Files are filled with the names of people who seemed to have it all. It is sobering to realize that many who stood at the pinnacle of the “American Dream,” possessing immense wealth, global influence and celebrity status seemed to lack the most basic moral clarity and strength of character to refuse such atrocious evil as the abuse of vulnerable girls. (Moral clarity is knowing right from wrong; strength of character is having the internal coherence and depth to choose what is right and good.)

“How many girls might have been spared if just a few more people around Epstein had chosen conviction over complicity?”

And beyond those who participated in the abuse were those who knew or suspected and remained silent. They may not have taken part, but they lacked the moral courage to intervene. (Moral courage is choosing to speak out or stand up for what is right, even if it might cost you something.) How many girls might have been spared if just a few more people around Epstein had chosen conviction over complicity?

I keep thinking about the biblical warning in Mark 8:36: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” The Epstein story is a modern-day parable of that teaching. When a culture idolizes (dare I say worships) external success while neglecting the inner life, where morality and character are formed, the result is moral bankruptcy. The exterior might appear impressive, but it conceals a spiritually hollow, decaying interior life.

Money, power and influence carry built-in temptations. The ego naturally turns success into a story of personal greatness. Even if your success came partly by luck (birth, family connections, good timing), it is easy to believe you deserve what you have more than others or that you are more capable or important. This can erode humility and empathy.

Having wealth, authority or fame also can insulate you from criticism. People want to please you and ride the coattails of your privilege. When no one speaks the truth to you or holds you accountable, it can weaken your character; you can begin to believe you are beyond reproach, that normal rules or consequences don’t apply to you.

When anyone dominates and manipulates the vulnerable, as Epstein did, they are moving away from God’s kin-dom and God’s desire for the flourishing of every human being. God abhors abuse.

Christ had “all authority, in heaven and on earth” as Matthew 28:18 notes, yet he used his power to serve. He ministered among the vulnerable and displayed greatness through sacrificial love on the Cross. He alone is worthy of our worship and the one whose life we should seek to imitate.

Humans are both sinners and saints, capable of great evil and heroic good. We can choose to model our lives after Christ or take a different path. While we might not participate in such horrific evil as abusing young girls, the Epstein story presses important spiritual questions: Are we neglecting our inner life in pursuit of success? Are we compromising in order to gain influence, money or accolades? When doing the right thing costs us something, do we still choose it?

May we attend to our inner life and be formed into Christlikeness, becoming people marked by moral clarity, strength of character and the courage to choose what is right and good, even when it costs us.

Carol McEntyre* *serves as senior minister at First Baptist Church of Greenville, S.C.