Whitlock on Vick

Jason Whitlock, writing for the Kansas City Star, has a great column about all the Michael Vick drama in the media concerning his indictment for dog-fighting. He writes,

My desire is to see Vick evolve as a human being and for his troubles to serve as yet another wake-up call for black athletes to reject the hip-hop/prison culture that glorifies much of the negative behavior and attitude that has eroded the once-dignified and positive reputation of African-American athletes.

Yesterday, I got caught up with the details by listening to Jim Rome on the radio. Every caller seemed to be so amazed that Michael Vick could do something like this. How could he ever do that? What kind of a person does this sort of thing? Whitlock actually purports this sentiment as well in his column when he says,

Listen, I don’t want PETA supporters upset with me. Animal cruelty is intolerable. But I’m wondering what could turn a human mind and heart so cold that a person would find pleasure in breeding dogs for cruel destruction in 2007.

Unfortunately, just like you and me, Michael Vick is sinner. The Bible tells us that the human heart is sick beyond natural repair. Why are we so surprised? All the shock and surprise seems to reek of self-righteousness. What is even more surprising to me is that people are so upset and surprised that he would do cruel things to dogs, when all over the world, right now, people are doing unbelievably cruel things to their own children!

I think as Christians we can use this whole story to remind us that the human heart is in continual need of redemption and this story could be used as a great springboard for evangelism.