By: Mary Mostert, Analyst
August 13, 1998
Yesterday I received an e-mail that started out, "I have a friend who is going through hell right now. My friend is also my brother in Christ. I believe that my friend and brother is in trouble with the world because he desires to represent Christ well in the task to which he has been called."
"My friend is Judge Kenneth Starr, the special prosecutor in the Whitewater and Monica S. Lewinsky matters, both involving the President of the United States his advisors, and both involving the issue of lying and obstruction of justice."
That brings the whole Clinton-Lewinsky issue back to basics. Exactly what is the issue here? We are being told ad nauseam by TV talk shows, now that over 70% of the American people have concluded that there was a sexual relationship between Clinton and Lewinsky, that no one cares and it just doesn't matter anyway. Increasingly, the attacks are centering on Kenneth Starr for finding the evidence that the President lied in his deposition in the Paula Jones case in January.
The e-mail observed, "I met Ken Starr almost six years ago when he and I both had the privilege of being asked at the same time by a mutual friend, Dean Ron Phillips, to serve as members of the Pepperdine Law School Board of Visitors-professional friends of the Law School. Ken wasn't the special prosecutor at that time. I came to know Ken as a true professional and a true believer in our Lord Jesus Christ."
That bit of information alone is sufficient for many defenders of the President to trash Kenneth Starr. If Kenneth Starr really believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ, he would not want to simply overlook any violation of law, merely because it involved illicit sex, which seems to be the main argument this week in defense of Bill Clinton. With Monica Lewinsky's testimony, the drumbeat of defense of the president moved from "he didn't do it" to "the American people don't care if he did it." That's pretty close to an admission of guilt - only the spin-doctors in the White House and in the media are claiming it isn't "guilt" because "everyone does it" and "every politician lies."
Of course, anyone who believes it's OK to lie - especially if it is about illicit sex- is undoubtedly a liar, and probably is involved in illicit sex. All politicians AREN'T guilty and not everyone is having illicit sex with strangers or people half their age. Those who keep telling us on talk shows that illicit sex and lying is "no big deal" are looking for approval for their own behavior.
If the people approve of a popular leader lying, deceiving them, and obstructing justice, does that mean we should eliminate laws on the books about lying, deception and obstruction of justice?
We claim to be a "Christian" nation, and as such we know from Scripture "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more." (Luke 12:48) Bill Clinton has been given much by the people of America. They should be able to expect normal, moral, honest behavior from him. Certainly, if the President of the United States is excused for illegal activity, how can you expect the rest of the people to obey the laws?
The e-mail went on to say, "Ken is also truly committed-committed among other things to living out righteousness in the profession to which he was called. His father was a minister of the gospel and served as a pastor. Ken is a minister of the gospel and has served as a lawyer, Federal Judge and part-time law professor. Then came the call to serve as a special prosecutor. Ken took his commitment to Christ and His righteousness into the task to which he was called as well as his professional skills and responsibilities. He took his job very seriously and responsibly."
As we noted yesterday, some see Starr's determination as a negative, comparing him with Captain Ahab pursuing the great White Whale in Moby Dick. Somehow, we are told, the very fact that Starr has taken his job seriously is reason to attack and hopefully destroy him.
"And, now it seems that all hell has really broken loose in his life," the e-mail continued, "A few weeks ago, I was in Washington DC spending some time with two congressmen who are also brothers in Christ. I was visiting with them because they believe that the Lord might want them to write and publish a book about their walk with Christ and with each other as brothers while in office in our nation's capitol for the past 20 years or so. When I told Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia that I have a son who is a law student at Pepperdine Law School, Ken Starr's name naturally came up in our conversation because Ken had then only recently announced that, because of his on-going responsibilities (seemingly never-ending) as special prosecutor, he had to withdraw his name as Dean-designate of the Pepperdine Law School and the Pepperdine School of Public Policy.
"Congressman Wolf told me that Judge Starr and his family live in his congressional district in Virginia and that he and Judge Starr have become friends. He told me also that Ken and his family have been going through incredibly difficult times as he has worked to do his job as special prosecutor. Congressman Wolf and I then talked about what I could do to help our brother as he serves our country and our Lord by his faithfulness to the task to which he has been called. I told the Congressman that I would love to be of support, but I was not sure how I could do so.
"As we talked, the thought came to me of how grateful Susan and I were for the faithfulness of our family and friends last year (and still) in their prayer support and encouragement when our son, Curtis, and his friend, Patrick Steele, encountered extremely difficult times after the accident at Westmont College left Patrick paralyzed. I remembered the effectiveness of e-mail over the Internet and the effectiveness of prayer of so many for two brothers in Christ and their families."
I can relate to that, having had a couple of very similar experiences on two different occasions when grandchildren were at death's door. The prayers of family and friends, the fasting and prayer of members of my youngest daughter's congregation helped greatly. During the fast family and church members prayed for the Jewish surgeon, asking that he would be able to succeed in saving the baby, even though the operation had little chance of success.
When the surgeon came out of the operating room, he told the family that a procedure he never had tried before came into his mind, he tried it, and today that little granddaughter is a healthy, happy seven-year-old. Prayer really helps.
"At that point," the e-mail continued, "I told Congressman Wolf one thing I knew I wanted to do to help my friend, Ken Starr. I would pray for him and I would ask you to pray for him as well by informing you of his need over the Internet. I know that Ken Starr needs, and would very much appreciate, our prayers as he stands up for righteousness in a world who has forgotten what that word means.
"An article in the Los Angeles Times this morning points out that Ken is in trouble with the "politically correct" world of Washington because, 'In a cynical Sin city of deals and double-deals, Kenneth W. Starr might just be the last befuddled innocent.' The article then goes on to say, 'The independent counsel says that he prays before every courtroom appearance, sings hymns on morning jogs near the Potomac and thinks about Atticus Finch, the heroic defense attorney of 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'
"The LA Times article also reported that, when Judge Starr was asked why he continued to investigate the possibility of perjury or other crimes in the Lewinsky matter, despite the dismissal of Paula Jones' sexual misconduct suit against the President, Ken was quoted as saying,
'It is very important that the law and the legal process have complete integrity and that people be honest. There's no room for white lies. There's no room for shading. There's only room for truth. You cannot defile the temple of justice. You cannot, through-and I hope that it was not done-subornation of perjury, intimidation of witnesses and obstruction of justice. Rather, you must play by the rules. We must all play by the rules. For the sake of the nation, we hope for the best. But our job is to determine whether crimes were committed.'
"What a novel idea in this age of irresponsibility, compromise and relativity! A fellow believer is standing up for what is right and carrying out his duties. In fact, Steven Brill, the editor of a new magazine called Brill's Content, who caused the latest flap over Judge Starr's claimed lack of political correctness, in his article called Ken Starr, 'old-world straight arrow, the opposite of slick.'
"Maybe more of us, especially us lawyers need to have people saying that about us. Most of the media in our country are very critical of Ken Starr because he does not play the game politically. Instead, Ken Starr is concerned about integrity, his own as well as those whom he has been charged with the responsibility to investigate. He is condemned and ridiculed for his honesty and for doing his job with character. We really must remember to stand with him, in prayer and in conversation with those with whom we come in contact. Earlier this week, I wrote Judge Starr and told him of my desire to stand with him publicly and to uphold him in prayer on a consistent basis as he continues to represent truth, justice and integrity in the fulfillment of his sworn duties of responsibility. I also told him that I was going to ask my many friends and family to do the same. I asked him to share with me any burdens that he and his family are facing as a result of his job performance and the public and private stress
"Of course, I did tell him that we would all understand if he was not able to communicate with me. Would you please stand with me as I stand with this brother who I believe to be a national hero and a warrior for Christ and his kingdom here on earth and in heaven.
It was signed "Sealy - Larry Crabb's Administrative Assistant." Dr. Larry Crabb is founder and director of the Institute of Biblical Counseling (IBC), "a ministry committed to training Christians to resolve life's problems biblically and to help others in the context of Christian community." Dr. Crabb is the author of several books on the subject and also teaches in the Department of Biblical Counseling at Colorado Christian University, in Lakewood, Colorado.
I don't know Kenneth Starr, but I have watched a lot of stories develop over the years and have never seen such anger and hatred for the "messenger" in a public debate. It is very appropriate for his friends, family and supporters to pray for his safety. As Benjamin Franklin counseled the stalemated Constitutional Convention, it is appropriate to ask for Divine assistance in affairs of our nation. We can pray for Kenneth Starr to have the courage and strength to conclude his investigation with a fair and honest report to Congress. Only then will the American people be able to finally have the information needed to decide for themselves the quality of leadership they are willing to settle for in the White House.
To comment: mmostert@originalsources.com