Saturday, September 19, 1998

Clinton needs to get right with God

By DAVID WATERS

Scripps Howard News Service

The day had been a bit hectic for the president of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta.

That afternoon, he spoke to religion news writers gathered in Atlanta from around the country. But first, he flew to Washington to have breakfast with the president at the White House.

"I feel as if I've just witnessed a scene of Biblical proportions," Robert Franklin told religion writers after he got back from Washington.

Franklin, an ordained minister in the Church of God in Christ, was among 120 religious leaders who heard Clinton's painful confession that morning.

"I have sinned," Clinton said. "I have repented."

Franklin knew what he was hearing. As Clinton spoke, Franklin felt transported to the days of the Old Testament. The priests were gathered at the palace. The king was in trouble. The king spoke of having a contrite heart and a broken spirit. "I ask that God give me a clean heart," said the king.

Friday morning, the king was Clinton, who was casting himself as King David and using the language of Psalm 51, David's anguished reaction to being caught in sin.

David confessed, in tears, only after he was confronted by the Prophet Nathan. Clinton confessed after he was confronted by a special prosecutor.

Clinton often resorts to Biblical language and imagery, a habit that ingratiates some and aggravates others.

Five years ago this November, Clinton stood in Mason Temple in Memphis and called on church and state to confront together "the great crisis of the spirit that is gripping America today." During that speech, he invoked the memory of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Friday morning, he sat next to King's daughter, Bernice, at the prayer breakfast and confessed his own crisis of the spirit.

Clinton said all the right things, Franklin said. It was a good start, but it's not enough. Franklin told Clinton that it was time for him to move from the rhetoric of confession to the ritual of confession. Now that he has said he has repented, he must do the internal work of repentance -- study, pray, fast.

If Clinton does the work, Franklin believes, the president can repair something much more valuable than his presidency. He can repair his relationship with God.

Then, and only then, Clinton can emerge -- either as president or former president -- as another sort of leader.

David emerged from his pain with humility and inspired his people. He became an example to generations. Today he is remembered more for his devotion to God than for his military conquests and sexual sins. As David was healed, he became a healer.

Clinton has a similar opportunity. He said as much Friday, when he spoke "in the hope that with a broken spirit and still strong heart I can be used for greater good."

That's what Franklin is praying for, that Clinton will do the spiritual work needed to find a connection between pain and vocation.

"Those things that grieve us may hold God's address to us," Elizabeth O'Conner wrote in her book "Cry Pain, Cry Hope."

That's true even for Clinton, regardless of whether his home address is 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

(David Waters can be reached by e-mail at waters(at)gomemphis.com.)