What David Letterman Can Teach Us About the Gospel
— Sunday, October 4th, 2009 —
If you pay a little attention right now to David Letterman, you could learn something critical about carrying the gospel to your neighbors, and to yourself.
I’m not talking about re-tooling some Christian version of the late night comedian’s “Top Ten Lists” or his “Stupid Pet Tricks.” I’m not talking about his cynical humor, or emotionally detached coolness. I’m talking about why he was so scared of a blackmailer’s extortion.
We’ve all been there.
Last week Letterman started off a segment on his nationally-broadcast program “The Late Show” by telling his viewers a “story.” The studio audience, laughing along, seemed not to be able to tell, at first, if this was a set-up for a joke or a skit, but it became clear this wasn’t a gag.
Letterman said that he had gotten into his car at six in the morning one day to find an envelope in his car, an envelope with details and evidence of Letterman’s sexual affairs with women on his staff. The extortionist wanted two million dollars or he’d make it all public in a screenplay or book.
At first glance, this is just another celebrity soap opera, and, frankly speaking, not a particularly shocking one. What interests me, though, is not that Letterman was doing “terrible things.” What else would I expect a man outside of Christ to do?
What’s interesting to me is that the blackmail scared Letterman, and the reasons why.
Letterman said the extortion note was disturbing, first of all, because he feared the mysterious correspondent was watching him. Someone who knew this much about his life, would this figure be tapping him on the shoulder from the shadows? Pulling him into the back of the car?
Letterman also, though, was upset by the note because it was true.
Letterman acknowledged to this viewers that he had, in fact, had sex with women on the “Late Show” staff. He also said that seeing his “terrible things” there in print, with evidence for it all, in front of him, made him feel “creepy.” Even in his deadpan comedic, “aw shucks this ain’t so bad” wink-and-grin performance, we can hear a terror, a terror that is common to humanity.
If the envelope in the car had accused Letterman of being a member of an Islamic terrorist cell, he might have still been worried that the crazed writer was around, but, after getting out of the parking garage, Letterman wouldn’t have been, in his words, “menaced” by the accusations. Why not?
It’s because he knows he’s not a member of an Islamic terrorist cell. There could be no evidence to show it, because it’s not a fact. The power the blackmailer had over the comedian was in the truthfulness of his accusations, and in the cold, rational evidence he had for each of his charges.
You and I once felt a deeper, more primal blackmail, and it scared us to the core. In fact, we often still do. Now, for most of us, it’s not the same kind of transgression or the same type of discovery. But we’re blackmailed just as surely, in fact even more so.
The Scripture says that Satan’s reign over this present order is by holding us captive through the slavery of the “fear of death” (Heb 2:15). And why are all humans afraid of death? Because, like Letterman’s letter in the back of the car, our conscience is pointing us to judgment, with a “black box” of evidence of our guilt (Rom 2:15-16).
That’s why the gospel is such good news for blackmailed creepy people like us.
Jesus says of Satan, in one of the most remarkable passages to me of all of Holy Scripture: “The ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me” (John 14:30). Jesus’ calm is the same as if I were asked to take a DNA test to prove that I’m not the father of one of Michael Jackson’s children. I know there’s just nothing there.
Jesus knows that, as the one sinless human since Adam’s catastrophe, Satan has no evidence of guilt in Jesus. He’s been tested, and he’s still standing.
Jesus doesn’t fear Satan’s accusations because he has nothing to hide, from the demonic watchers, from his Father, from himself. He is truth, and the truth makes him free indeed. With his tranquil conscience, Jesus marches right to the pole of slaughter, paying the wages of sin for those in the satanic slavery.
That’s why our Lord Jesus shows us, through our brother John, that “the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God” (Rev 12:10). And how do those in Christ triumph over this accusation? It’s “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Rev 12:11).
Satan has nothing left to accuse because at the Place of the Skull “you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3). If you’ve already been exposed, you can’t be re-exposed. If you’ve already been damned, you can’t be re-damned.
David Letterman said the accusations bothered him because he’s a “tower of Midwestern Lutheran guilt.” But there’s nothing particularly Midwestern or Lutheran about it. It’s a signal of a conscience that points to judgment. But it could also point to the One who has borne all the penalty due at judgment, including the public humiliation of being caught. We’ve all been there.
Let’s remember the gospel, and learn from Dave Letterman how scary blackmail can be. As the accusations come at us, let’s acknowledge the truth of the satanic claims. Let’s find ourselves in Jesus. And let’s point to a bloody cross and an empty tomb where those accusations were verified and crucified.
Poor David Letterman. This extortion is nothing like the one he, and billions more, are facing from a threatening presence who can’t be indicted by a New York grand jury. Let’s pray for him, and plead with those like him in our neighborhood and in cities and villages all around the world, as we remember what it’s like to be that scared.
And let’s remember not to be paralyzed by cosmic blackmail. The satanic powers have the evidence against us; yes, they do. But every accusation comes before an Advocate with a still conscience in his chest, scabbed-over spike-marks in his hands, and a crushed snake skull at his feet.
The satanic accusations are usually true. They wouldn’t bring them up if they weren’t. But if Christ Jesus is raised from the dead (and he is) then they can’t paralyze us anymore.
In fact, if you think about it, they’re just stupid demon tricks.
40 Responses to “What David Letterman Can Teach Us About the Gospel”
Trackbacks
- David Letterman and the gospel « Nathan Millican's Blog
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- The Walters 5 » Dr. Moore on David Letterman
- David Letterman, retirement, the Duggars, college and evolution « Strengthened by Grace
- A La Carte (10/6) : NGM Planet
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- What David Letterman Can Teach Us About the Gospel - Delivered By Grace | Theology Blog
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- Fleeeeeee from sexual immorality!! « allan at farcountry
- David Letterman and the Gospel « Forward Progress
Letterman is fine; he never was the “Family Values” type. Yes, he probably cheated on his girlfriend now wife. But at least he does go around claiming he is Mr. “Family Values” like some of our politicians (can you just see the grin on all “Fake News” reporters/commentators). This has been a tough summer, for Dave, for our economy but at least he did not end up on the “Republican 2009 Summer of Love” list: Assemblyman, Michael D. Duvall (CA), Senator John Ensign (NV), Senator Paul Stanley (TN), Governor Mark Stanford (SC), Board of Ed Chair, and Kristin Maguire AKA Bridget Keeney (SC).
@Paul, ..excellent point indeed! …..”But at least he doesnt go around claiming he is Mr. “Family Values” like some of our politicians” …….but i would have added Preachers..
Dr. Moore,
Again your insight makes me ashamed as I realize that as I heard about this story on the news all I did was pick up more rocks to throw. Thank you for the reminder. May we all be better equipped to share truth. I know I am after reading this.
For the Kingdom,
PM
@Peter Mular, I appreciate that Peter.
@Peter Mular, (to author of article).
What about the many Christians who are struggling with mental illnesses, or old sins from their unsaved days? There is plenty to “blackmail” them with, and the world will do so. I remember talking with a man who says he didn’t act very Christian on a given day when he yelled at someone. This is also why so many people don’t want to share their faith. They may be divorced or have a kid whose not behaving. There’s something missing in the current gospel message today, (not the gospel, but the gospel message).
What a blessing to have such clarity. Thank you Dr Moore. I look forward to Moore moore
@Ritherburt, Thank you brother!
Dr Moore,
Thank you for bringing us back to the gospel. That is what we need to hear every single day. Thank you for your ministry, I loved your book Adopted for Life…I hope you would be my professor someday hehe.
In Christ,
Giancarlo
Monterrey, Mexico.
@Giancarlo, what’s stopping you? Come on!
“Let’s remember the gospel, and learn from Dave Letterman how scary blackmail can be. As the accusations come at us, let’s acknowledge the truth of the satanic claims. Let’s find ourselves in Jesus. And let’s point to a bloody cross and an empty tomb where those accusations were verified and crucified.”
There is a great song by Shane and Shane called “Embracing Accusations” that beautifully articulates this paragraph. It is taken from Galatians 3:10-14. Here are some of the lyrics:
“The father of lies
Coming to steal
Kill and destroy
All my hopes of being good enough
I hear him saying, “Cursed are the ones
Who can`t abide.”
He`s right
Alleluia he`s right!
The devil is preaching
The song of the redeemed
That I am cursed and gone astray
I cannot gain salvation
Embracing accusation
Could the father of lies
Be telling the truth
Of God to me tonight?
If the penalty of sin is death
Then death is mine
I hear him saying, “Cursed are the ones
Who can’`t abide.”
He`’s right
Alleluia he`’s right!
Oh the devil’s singing over me
An age old song
That I am cursed and gone astray
Singing the first verse so conveniently over me
He`’s forgotten the refrain
Jesus saves!”
@Collin, I had not heard that song, but that’s great!
Thanks for this insightful post, Dr. Moore.
Tony
@Tony, Thanks Tony!
“Not to be paralyzed by cosmic blackmail,” is a daily joy to acknowledge in refreshing myself with the gospel … and gives me drive in telling others of Christ as the ultimate advocate.
Thanks for taking time to write this post and teaching this lesson!
@Asher, I appreciate that Asher!
Letterman was upset by the note because it threatened to go public with private, personal material. No one wants their sex-life portrayed on T.V. He was joking when he said it was ‘terrible,’ which is why he went on to joke about how people are going to be amazed that ‘David has sex!?’
If Letterman had sex with a perfectly willing and totally consenting female before he was married (which is what the allegations are), then he did nothing wrong. In the Old and New Testaments many forms of sex are prohibited. They include adultery, homosexuality, sex during menstruation, prostitution, rape, etc. “Pre-marital sex” is quite simply not one of the many detailed forms of sexual immorality God has breathed down to us in Scripture.
The reformation was a long time ago. We should so be beyond this Catholic way of holding on to traditions of men. If you think Christ is going to judge Dave for his sex, you have to point to a verse of Scripture that says so. Nowhere is having sex before marriage ever condemned in Scripture. You can define “sexual immorality” as sex before marriage, and someone else can define it as sex before breakfast. What Scripture says it what counts, and it prohibits neither of those.
@Michael,
Lots of sins that are full-fledged actual sins are not specifically enumerated in the Bible (the Book is only so long, mankind’s combination of immagination and depravity are nearly limitless, and there needs to be room for the rest of God’s revelation). Rather, most sins are referenced categorically or through generic terms.
Non-marital sex is sinful as either “fornication” or “sexual immorality”. The only people who take your position invariably have a vested interest in doing so (i.e. to allow them to cling to their particular favored sin).
@Michael,
Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage is to be held in honor among all, and the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”
I’ll break this down for you from the Greek…
gamos = marriage
timios = [is to be held] in honor (valued, precious)
en = among
pasin = all
koitē = bed
amiantos = undefiled
pornous = for fornicators
moichous = adulterers
What does undefiled mean?
What does fornicator mean?
What does adulterer mean?
Also, read 1 Cor. 7
This line almost made me stop reading: ‘What interests me, though, is not that Letterman was doing “terrible things.” What else would I expect a man outside of Christ to do?’
Yes, indeed. Every Buddhist monk out there is doing all sorts of terrible, immoral things. All those Jewish people are probably doing terrible things right now.
It’s one thing to know, in your heart, that you are walking the path to eternal salvation, and you reside in that knowledge and the peace it brings you. It’s quite another thing to let that inner peace drive and excuse the dirty machinations of prejudice and religious bigotry. Faith should not tolerate ignorance, neither outside it’s boundaries, nor within. Especially not within.
But, I’m am “outside of Christ”. What else would you EXPECT me to say?
@Dave (but not THAT Dave),
Every Buddhist monk, and Jewish people are in active rebellion towards God because they refuse to believe in God’s son.
And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. 1 Jn. 3:23
If you are not living your life in submission to the Son of God, (which is God the Father’s command to us all) then you, by default, are living for something that is created. (and not the creator)
Therefore,
Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 Jn. 2:15-16
Thus, yes Dave, anyone who is outside of Christ is in active rebellion to their Creator.
“Therefore let all Israel (and the whole world) be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Acts. 2:36 What else can we expect from people who are in active disobedience, then for them to multiply their disobedience, not only through their rejection of Yaweh’s Son, but through lust, the love of money, sex, pride, self-righteousness, etc. etc.? ? ?
The human race is sinful and is in desperate need of someone who can not only remove the penalty for their sin, but also remove the sinful nature. Praise God for His son who is both willing and able to do both of those things.
@Dave (but not THAT Dave),
Dave, I would have to agree with you, even as someone who is “inside of Christ.” I don’t find it very helpful at all in the discussion to throw around that everyone “outside of Christ” is in open rebellion because those who are “inside of Christ” are often “worse” than those “outside.” That is why we need someone to save us in the first place…and still need a savior.
It was a Christian named Paul who owned up to being the worst of all immoral people…essentially saying, “you want to know who to expect to be superior in wrongdoing, count on me, the Apostle Paul…not some talk show host. Not proud of it, but Dave L. has nothing on me.”
What may be more helpful is…because Christians believe that good people don’t go to heaven but only those that realize they are far worse than they first realized, we actually now don’t have to wait to be blackmailed before we confess. In fact, if part of growing in the Christian faith is deepening repentance, we not only expect to fail but have to assume it (otherwise we will think we’re better than the buddhist or jew) and act superior to everyone else…which we’ve never been guilty of.:)
Enjoyed the article and discussion. Cheers!
Yes, this is a different take on the story. I liked how you likened our position to one being blackmailed. And it’s true. We can’t get out of it.
Thank you for that analogy.
Marshall Jones Jr.
What a great article! Thanks.
A great example of optimizing present cultural experiences for the sake of building and advancing the Kingdom with the gospel…thanks for demonstrating some mad gospel skills…I enjoyed, was encouraged, & learned!
grace & peace,
Ian
Thank you, Dr. Moore, for pointing us to Jesus.
Dr. Moore, I agree with a lot of your points, however I am also left with another question (or line of questioning). As believers shouldn’t we be living in such a way that we don’t have sins and things that we are hiding for which we could be blackmailed? Understandably none of us are perfect and we all have sinned, but I know I am trying to live in such a way that as I deal with the sin in my life and seek a true and honest relationship with God that all of my sin and shortcomings are open for the world to see and I have nothing to hide. I admit that the humility, authenticity, and openness that demands this is difficult to walk out at times. Maybe this situation was the catalyst for Dave to finally deal with his sin in this way.
I wonder how Jesus or even Paul would have responded if they had received a letter like Dave did. Would they have felt blackmailed or would the response be that “There could be no evidence to show it, because it’s not a fact.”? I believe that for Paul the facts were that he chose a life with God where God lived in Paul and transformed him from the inside out through living in him and Paul confessed his sins and had been forgiven, living openly and honestly before God and man about the mistakes he had made and how God had changed him. It seems like few Christians are living really open, authentic and transparent lives and we live knowing that we too could one day be exposed by someone. Wouldn’t it be better for us to confess our sin and deal with it now so that from this point forward we can live free and unencumbered by our sin and this risk of exposure?