Christianity Today

Gen. Petreaus, before he prematurely resigned, should have invoked the fifth amendment as well as "Don't ask, don't tell." Since when can the military use religious symbolism and piety to keep its officers straight? And since when is marital unfaithfulness a matter for those outside the family to judge? And why should a military man be held to the 'lofty ideals of imaginary excellencies...?' Where in present day America are these paragons of sexual virtue to be found? Hollywood? Entertainment? Sports? Politics? The Media? In bathrooms and bath-houses across the nation? In the Church? In the White House? And what about a beloved former President who was impeached for behaviour "unbecoming to his office". At that time his supporters demanded vociferously that the charade be suspended so that the "gentleman" could get on with his work of 'running the country'. Isn't there a C.I.A to run? Americans seem to have an "I love you, hate you, love you..." relationship with morality and religion.

Sorry, I feel a bit guilty only posting dystopianesque responses. I appreciate deeply CT's website. Here's the thing. By allowing ourselves even for a second to compare King David's adultery with General Petraeus' adultery, we enter into an extremely thorny and theologically indefensible (pun intended) situation. Israel is not America, and America should never be compared to Israel. Doing so has spawned some of the worst theology / praxis in our culture's history. Pray for the General and his family. But please, folks, let's not compare a man whose spirituality is a mystery to all of us with a man we know as terribly flawed but also the most God-hungry character in Scripture (other than Christ). And what of war itself? Do we really glorify a warrior simply because he won battles? We have no idea how history will judge what we've done and are doing in the Middle East. War is horror... and hero-worship won't change the truth.

I beg to differ Mr. Jorgensen. There are people who care deeply about Christ's Church in our nation. You should never again make a grandiose statement like that. What Gen Petreaus did was wrong and your statement was worst, egregious comes to mind.

I honestly can't see any comparision between retired Army Gen. David Petraeus and King David of Israel beyond their first names. :) King David was anointed by God to lead the entire nation of Israel - he ruled the entire nation after he had been a famous military leader. I don't mean to disparage Petraeus in any way (though of course he has acted very unwisely, and I feel very badly for his wife and family); I just don't see a comparison. Personally, having been involved in the military for several years, I think it's a great thing that the military still has a high standard of morality regarding adultery. It would be wonderful if this were still true across the board.

Gen. Petreaus is a politician in military garb. Nothing wrong with him being part of the military however it is highly pertinent to question his faithful service to the military and our nation. Adultery is never an endearing sign of loyalty but ultimately that is between Petraeus and God. Service to our nation is immediate and on the horizontal. Are there salient issues (vital to the knowledge of the nation and constitution he has sworn to uphold) that he should publicly volunteer for the necessary survival of our nation? Are there details necessary for his comrade in arms to succeed that should be revealed? In faithful service just for the sake of objective truth are there details that he should reveal in spite of political repercussions? I doubt any of this will come to light and I further more doubt much interest will arise among American Christians and I am certain that Christianity Today cares nothing about the fate of our nation or Christ's Church in our nation.