Thursday, April 16, 2026

Two U.S. Congress members—Democrat Eric Swalwell and Republican Tony Gonzalez—resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations, highlighting a recurring pattern of moral failure among powerful figures. Albert Mohler uses these events not just to critique political scandal, but to issue a profound theological warning: sin thrives when opportunity is created. Drawing from Romans 7, he argues that Christians must proactively avoid situations where temptation can take hold—especially in hierarchical relationships like employer-employee dynamics common in congressional offices. The episode then pivots to a sharp critique of libertarianism, as exemplified by *The Economist*, which champions assisted dying and abortion rights as expressions of individual freedom. Mohler dismantles this worldview by contrasting it with the biblical belief that human life is sacred from conception to death, and that true freedom is found in submission to God’s authority—not in unchecked personal choice. He warns that when human autonomy is exalted above divine sovereignty, the result is not liberation, but moral collapse. The episode underscores that the real crisis isn’t just individual sin, but systemic failure to design institutions that prevent moral vulnerability. Whether in Congress or in national policy, the absence of guardrails invites disaster.