Sexual Predator in the Christian Community
A sexual predator in the Christian community causes heartache. Dr. Dennis Hensley, formerly a professor at Taylor University, was suspended with immediate effect for sexual misconduct.
Taylor University’s statement on their website on July 12, 2018, said, “Recently we were made aware of significant and credible allegations of serious misconduct by Hensley. Although these allegations did not involve Taylor students or employees, we promptly commenced an investigation, which included interviews and statements from those involved, and subsequently informed Hensley that he was suspended with immediate effect while the investigation was ongoing.”
On the same day he was notified of his suspension, Hensley offered an unsolicited and unconditional resignation from Taylor University, which they accepted.
Jim Watkins on his Hope & Humor blog at ww.jameswatkins.com/articles-2/hensley/ wrote, “I have also personally talked with many of his victims including a student and many at writers’ conferences. My heart breaks for them and the serious sexual misconduct they have endured.
Because of this:
*Dr. Hensley’s academic career is over.
*Dr. Hensley’s teaching career is over. (He was uninvited to virtually all his 2018 engagements.)
*Dr. Hensley’s online teaching is over. (He has also been removed from his online teaching duties with writers’ groups.)
*Dr. Hensley’s publishing career is over. (His books are being removed from publisher’s websites.)
When Hensley was reached by phone, he said, “I thought I should just take the high ground and retire, and just call it quits and let this thing die its own death.”
In an online article on July 14, 2018 athttps://brucegerencser.net/2018/07/evangelical-professor-dennis-hensley-accused-of-sexual-misconduct/, Bruce Gerencser said, “Hensley says he is taking the high ground; that the accusations against him are the result of the ‘Me Too’ movement; that his physical familiarity with a former student was all about love for a fellow Christian. Sounds to me like Hensley was serious about spreading the love of Christ to young Christian women. What I want to know is why Hensley ‘retired’ if nothing was amiss. Why do so many of these ‘innocent’ followers of Jesus abruptly resign or retire when facing supposedly false allegations of sexual misconduct?”
His sexual misconduct went on over a 30-year period. The Fort Wayne Journal-Gazetteand WPTA ran stories in which they gave further details and a testimony from a student victim.
Many ask why Hensley has not confessed and repented of being a sexual predator. Perhaps like other sex offenders, Hensley’s ego is too fragile, and it’s easier to deny, minimize, or play the blame game.
Besides that, to admit wrong-doing means facing the need to change. Change is hard work, and again it’s easier to deny, minimize, or play the blame game.
Meanwhile, what about the heartache, grief, and shattered lives of the victims, their families, and Hensley’s family? What about the mistrust, fading faith, and emotional roller coaster that victims, families, and friends face?
A male friend of mine said, “Commit the crime, do the time.”
As for forgiveness, you can forgive, but that doesn’t eliminate criminal consequences for criminal behavior, especially the actions of a sexual predator for 30 years.
Numbers 32:23: “You may be sure that your sin will find you out.”
Prayer: God, help me obey you. Help me remember I cannot sin against you and hide it forever. Amen.
Application: What one thing will you do this week to obey God?
Copyright © by Yvonne Ortega VII.XVI.MMXVIII
Thank you so much, Yvonne. It is so important for us as Christians to realize that forgiving an abuser does not replace the consequences for his crimes. If the predator is not accountable to face the truth about his behavior, he will continue harming innocent victims.
You’re welcome, Athena Dean Holtz. Thank you for stopping by. I agree that the predator must be held accountable. How sad that he continued to harm victims for 30 years.
Well- stated Yvonne. Thanks for this call to repentance for the perpetrator and healing for his victims.
Great website, incidentally! Always great to see you at conferences.
Thank you so much, Jim Watkins, for stopping by and affirming my post on this heartbreaking situation. Thank you for your kind words about my website. It is always great to see you at conferences and to glean from your fantastic teaching and keynotes.
This was very well written. I think if a Christian is honestly innocent then they could stand and tell the truth but sometimes the battle is so hard that it is easier to quit. It’s also very hard to admit and ask forgiveness when a leader in Christianity is wrong. There seems to always be a hint of “mistrust”. Forgiveness though is freeing when someone admits and asks for your forgiveness.
Thank you, Debbie. It can be easier to quit at the time. In the long run if one is innocent, it’s worth it to hang in there. In this case with 30 years of serious allegations from different sources, repentance is called for. Yes, a hint of “mistrust” seems to be a given. Forgiveness is a divine command, not an invitation. Difficult but possible with God’s grace.