What can we do with our fallen heroes? We can remind ourselves that we never should have put them on a pedestal in the first place. We can remember that we too have besetting sins and distractions that keep us from doing all God has for us to do. We can refocus our lives on Jesus, knowing he alone is good. Everyone else falls short, including us.

What are we to do with all our fallen heroes? Would it be better to not have heroes of the faith? Should we just assume and expect the worst?

Let’s begin by abandoning any notions that we are better than the world around us. The times when sermons could receive thunderous applause for promoting the moral superiority of Christian leaders is far over. Our theology should have led us to this place long ago.

We actually have a category for this mess. It’s called sin. And not a single one of us is immune.

We can no longer run on a “we’re better than you platform.” We’re not. Read the headlines. Look in the mirror. Forgiven? Yes. Better? No.

The Hall of Shame

In my estimation, no chapter in the New Testament illustrates the messiness of living for God in a fallen world more than Hebrews 11. This passage is often described as the “hall of faith.” It’s filled with fallen heroes. Before we walk through the famous hall, let’s see where it leads:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Hebrews 11 commends several biblical characters for their faith in God. They are the “cloud of witnesses” in the passage above.

The majority are individuals with less than stellar track records. It might be more appropriate to call Hebrews 11 the “hall of shame.”

Take Abraham for example (Hebrews 11:8-19). The guy lied about being married to his wife so he could avoid personal danger. He seemed okay exposing his wife to potential harm. But at least he only did it once, right? Nope, he did it twice.

Check it out for yourself in Genesis chapters 12 and 20. And while you are at it, read chapter 26 where his son Isaac, who is also mentioned in the “hall of faith” (Hebrews 11:20), does the same thing to his wife. Is this the model example of living by faith?

The failings continue as we walk through the hall. Isaac’s son, Jacob, lied to his dad to get the blessing that should have been his brother’s (Genesis 27). Moses was used by God to rescue the Israelites from Egypt, yet he was forbidden from entering the promised land because he had disobeyed God’s command (Numbers 20:12). And Gideon ended up making a gold object that he and all the Israelites worshiped instead of God (Judges 8:22-27).

Or think about King David (Hebrews 11:32). He was a big part of God’s promised plan of providing salvation. He was a sheep leader, a lion killer, a bear wrestler, and a giant slayer. He was a song writer, a war hero, a king, an adulterer, a murderer, a liar, and a man after God’s own heart. It’s messy. So are you.

The Mafia Don Who Made It in the Hall of Faith

To be honest, these aren’t even the most scandalous shout-outs in Hebrews 11. Consider Jephthah mentioned in Hebrews 11:32. This guy had a rough life. His mom was a prostitute. His stepbrothers kicked him out the house so he wouldn’t share in their father’s inheritance.

But Jephthah did okay for himself though. He became a mob boss. In Judges 11:3 Jephthah is said to be in cahoots with “a gang of scoundrels.” To top it off, he seems to be their leader.

When bad times came in the form of a military invasion, his brothers sought out Jephthah for help. You know he had to be a bad dude if his brothers, who kicked him out of the house, went straight to him for support. They knew if he joined their side the chance of them winning would increase exponentially.

I imagine them walking into his preferred pizzeria after being frisked by the tough guys keeping watch out front. Jephthah probably had a bib tied around his neck, a large bowl of spaghetti and meatballs on the table in front of him, and a cigar hanging out of his mouth. In a cloud of smoke, with a deep voice, he bellows, “Go ahead, make me an offer I can’t refuse.”

Read More