withallyourmind.net

First of all, Al Mohler (here) examines the question of whether marital infidelity and sexual immorality should have any bearing on America’s judgment of the fitness of political candidates for public office. Mohler comes down on the side of unfitness:

The American people are incredibly forgiving, but John Edwards violated a basic sense of public dignity and personal morality. The fact that his wife, Elizabeth, is in the fight of her life with cancer only adds to the public’s sense of outrage at his violation of his marital vows. His repeated lies added fuel to the fire. On top of all this, the narcissism and recklessness of his affair revealed a poisonous disregard for his responsibilities, his supporters, his family, his friends, and the public.

I think the majority of Americans would generally agree with Mohler, but this is not obviously the case (see the previous Clinton administration). In fact, Mohler speaks of a Psychology Today article whose author feels his sexual promiscuity better qualifies him for office.

Looking at the sad affair from another perspective is John Mark Reynolds who reminds us here of the importance of mercy and forgiveness. If you are able, read the whole post, but here is portion:

We cannot forgive his moral sin because his sin was not against us. As for his lies to the public, the charitable are eager to forgive, but the wise not so quick to trust. As for his sins against God, which at the hour of his death will matter most, God knows his heart, but forgiveness is freely available to Edwards, though bought at great cost to God.

Meanwhile, we can pity him and be charitable in our beliefs about his repentance. We can marvel at his audacity in running for high office so soon after his sins, while the wise will carefully consider his words in the future, but the charitable will also hope for the best. It does us no harm to be generous and might do us some good.

Forgiveness is good medicine for our souls, but only if we do not confuse forgiveness with something else. Forgiveness is not naïve or incompatible with justice or the other virtues. If we forgive, then we release the evildoer from his immediate obligations, but do not give him a free ticket to repeat the behavior.

One can only forgive a man who is truly sorry for his misdeeds. While charity will err on the side of trusting the penitent man, being loving is not incompatible with prudence. Forgiveness without wisdom can become a vice because it empowers future harm.