Bob Cornwall/Faith in the Public Square

Richard Nixon told David Frost, “When the president does it, it is not illegal.” That's hubris.

Nixon said this in defense of the extraordinary powers he believed presidents have during a time of war. Nixon's interpretation of his authority is debatable, but it still takes hubris to say it so baldly. Nixon's fall was predicated in large part on that “exaggerated pride” (hubris) and the sense of self-importance that led him to authorize and engage in criminal activities.

When it comes to hubris, the names Jack Abramhoff, Scooter Libby, Duke Cunningham, Tom Delay, and Ken Lay, surely come to mind. Each rose to a level of importance and then fell to earth. Cunningham is going to jail and Abramhoff‘s plea bargain could bring down other political figures. The others face criminal indictment or are in court. While innocence must be presumed until guilt is proven in court, each figure epitomizes the principle - the bigger you get the harder you fall. Though not all pride is bad - it is good to have healthy self-esteem and self-respect - exaggerated pride can lead to our undoing. When we begin to believe that our calling or mission, whether political, religious, or in business, is beyond question, when we believe we are the “king of the world,” we have entered the realm of megalomania and hubris.

From a Christian perspective, hubris is the sin that underlies all other sins. It may not be problem for people with poor self-esteem, but it's a problem that knocks daily at many of our doors. It begins to take root in our lives when we assume we know better than others, that we are better than others, and that our judgments are beyond question. When this happens, we have a problem. This is the point of the story of Eden. God says to the first couple, “I've given you everything you need, just stay away from that one tree. “ Hubris, unfortunately, gets in the way and they eat the forbidden fruit, thinking that God wanted to keep them back on the farm. Their fall from grace was a hard one, but it's an instructive story.

The most recent installment of the “Star Wars” saga tells how Anakin Skywalker, the brightest, most talented, and most conflicted of the Jedis, fell from grace. Though anger was an enemy, it was hubris that led him down the path toward darkness. The evil Palpatine encouraged his vanity, telling him: “You're the chosen one, the savior, and you will be more powerful than any of them. They know this is true, and in their jealousy, they're holding you back.” It's difficult to say no to such flattery, and in the end Anakin fails to say no and is lost.

“Pride goeth before the fall,” says the Bible. We see this truth illustrated every day. A couple of kids climb into a car, and thinking they're invincible, they put the pedal to the floor. Unfortunately, they can't stop in time. A major energy company climbs the stock market at an astounding rate, becoming the largest capitalized company on earth, and then crashes to earth, its leadership no longer able to hide the accumulating debt. A war hero goes into politics and climbs the ranks. But then he trades his medals for houses, cars, and boats. In the end the lies and shadows catch up with him and he falls. It's test time and the student says: “I know the stuff, so there's no need to study.” The test comes and the student flunks. Hubris can happen to us all.

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Is there a cure for hubris? Humility would be a good start, along with some recognition that we all have our limitations. Concern for others might be the best answer of all. When your first concern is the welfare of the other, you won't be as tempted by the kind of hubris that climbs the backs of the innocent and the unknowing. May we say no to the temptation to see ourselves as kings and queens. Instead, let's take on the role of the servant. It won't be easy, but we are far less likely to “crash and burn!”

Pastor Bob Cornwall is pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Lompoc (www.lompocdisciples.org). He may be contacted at lompocdisciples@ impulse.net or at First Christian Church, P.O. Box 1056, Lompoc, CA 93438.

April 2, 2006