TES:The Michael Esses story

   This summer, Betty Esses Deblase, the former wife of Rev. Michael
Esses, released her chilling but courageous testimony, Survivor of a
Tarnished Ministry: The True Story of Michael and Betty Esses,
published by Truth Publishing Company (an affiliate of Vision House).
In this book, she tells of her anguished life with Michael Esses, a
well-known author and teacher originally from Melodyland Christian
Center in Anaheim, California, a life which was scarred by her
husband's unrepentant immorality and deception. It is a story which
awes the reader at the faithlessness and guile practiced by one bearing
the name of Jesus Christ; it awes a second time to think that someone
so enmeshed in infidelity could have gotten away with it so long.

   I was first introduced to Michael Esses by my mother who sent me a
copy of his autobiography, Michael, Michael, Why Do You Hate Me?
Written ten years ago, this book tells the exciting story of a rabbi
hounded by the Spirit of God, finally turning his life over to Christ,
and discovering the gifts and power of the Holy Ghost. Michael went on
to produce other books (The Phenomenon of Obedience, Jesus in Genesis,
Jesus in Exodus, and Next Visitor to Planet Earth) which were
instructive and uplifting to many. Esses taught at Melodyland School of
the Bible until 1979, and was a popular speaker at charismatic
conferences and conventions. Before the public, Mike's image was
impeccable.

   However, there was another side to Mike that most people never knew.
The "hidden" Michael lied about his rabbinical ordination, was
unfaithful throughout twenty-eight years of marriage, and dealt himself
literally hundreds of thousands of dollars "under the table." The
best-selling autobiography turns out to be largely his own fabrication.
At Mike's insistence, Betty took part in the deception by penning the
lies.

   Betty's testimony is not a vindictive diatribe aimed at dredging up
the insults and offenses of a turbulent marriage that finally ended in
divorce (late 1979).

   Nor was it solely written to expose the womanizing that continued
after Michael became a Christian. Indeed, the most poignant sins were
those of the Christian community and of Betty herself, in allowing a
man they knew to be involved in sin to hold church offices and
ministries. Time and again, Betty recounts, men who had proof of
Michael's dishonesty or ministerial unfitness glossed it over because
they liked his style, his drawing power, or because of fear of what
others would think.

   In releasing this book, the publishers were aware many people would
be cut to the quick. Some would side with Michael because of his charm
or previous reputation; others would find in Betty's book additional
ammunition to use against Christianity. Those Christian leaders who
failed to remove Mike from office (Ralph Wilkerson, for one) would be
indicted for their negligence. The author herself would be suspected of
writing the story, even if true, out of bitterness or revenge.

   Anticipating this reaction, Betty replies that she wrote it for the
sake of her granddaughter, Danielle: "I don't want to hand my little
granddaughter the same world I gave her mother, a world of half-truths,
evasions, and pain." Betty feels she can't be honest before God or the
world while she continues to cover up her part in erecting a fraudulent
ministry.

   This book makes a much-needed statement: sins like Betty Esses's are
rampant in the church today. Hundreds of ministers live lives not
significantly different from Michael's; hundreds of people undoubtedly
know of these situations but fail to do anything about it, for various
reasons. Surely there are many wives who, like Betty, are
substantiating the false testimonies of their husbands "for the sake of
the ministry."

   We fail to realize that if we remain silent about a minister's sin
so as not to discredit his "ministry, " the person doesn't have a
"ministry" anymore...just money and applause. What's worse, God will
require it of him or her one day, and all the work that went toward
such a "ministry" will be burned up (1 Cor.3:13-17). I'm not advocating
that we listen to all the dirt and discord people bring against
Christian leaders; Scripture places firm limits on this (1 Tim.5:19).
But we must have the courage to verbally confront erring shepherds or
teachers in a biblical manner (Matt.18:15-17, Gal.6:1, 11
Thess.3:15-16, etc.).

   It is vital that we realize there is a difference between honest
stumbling and continual, unrestrained sin. Further, we must also know
that elders and shepherds can sin in great ways - even sexually - and
receive forgiveness; yet certain sins, though forgiven by God, should
disqualify that person form public ministry or from leading a church
again. This principle needs to be rediscovered in many of our churches
and fellowships across the country.

   The story of Michael Esses, or any person who persists in
backsliding, could well be subtitled "The Phenomenon of Rebellion." I
am dumbfounded, angered and hurt to see Christians, who know so much
about the Lord, refuse to receive the counsel and correction of their
peers. To find out that someone you have respected has lived in sin
like this is a twisting ache that stabs at your very soul. I
categorically refuse to pass judgment on Mike's, or any backslider's,
eternal salvation. But I also know that God has promised nothing to
those who die in unrepentance...except judgment.

   For Betty's part, her testimony of duplicity and compromise might
easily become the story of any one of us. By willingly becoming
accountable to other believers, we can diminish that eventuality
"Wherefore, let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1
Cor.10:12).
