Updated 11:30 a.m. EDT November 12, 2025
Although Jeffrey Epstein has been dead for over six years, questions and investigations surrounding his crimes, and those who assisted or participated in them, still haunt our politics. While much of the media coverage has focused on the political and legal dimensions of the case, it is important to remember that this is, first and foremost, a moral issue. The Epstein scandal serves as a sobering reminder of how sexual sin and the devaluation of human life grieves God and demands both justice and moral accountability.
Epstein, an ultra-wealthy financier, was arrested in 2019 on charges of sex trafficking and the exploitation of minors on his private island. Just a month after his arrest, Epstein was found dead in his jail cell after, reportedly, threatening to expose others who were involved. His death was alleged to be a suicide.
“The Epstein scandal serves as a sobering reminder of how sexual sin and the devaluation of human life grieve God and demand both justice and moral accountability.”
With Epstein gone, many believed—and still believe—the only way to uncover the full truth about who participated in these crimes was through the release of the Epstein files. Frustration over the lack of transparency has only grown across the political spectrum in the years since. It can be assumed that names from both sides will be included on the list as the files have remained sealed over the duration of two presidencies of two different political parties.
As Christians, our call is clear: we must advocate for justice in all areas of life. Scripture repeatedly commands God’s people to act justly and uphold righteousness (Leviticus 19:15). God Himself is perfectly just, and, as His followers, we are called to reflect that justice in the world. In this case, justice means that every person who participated in or enabled these crimes should be held accountable for their actions without exception or favoritism.
It is important to remember that justice must be accompanied by grace. Christ commands us to love the sinner, even while condemning the sin. In Matthew 18, Jesus reminds us that we are to forgive others just as God has forgiven us. This does not mean excusing or minimizing wrongdoing, but it does mean that our hearts should not harbor hatred or vengeance. We must leave ultimate judgment to God, as He alone sees every truth.
Discernment, however, is also crucial because the mere presence of a name in the Epstein files does not automatically prove guilt. The Epstein list is made up of people who have visited his private island, not necessarily those who have done something illegal. Many public figures (including former President Donald Trump, Prince Andrew, and others) have been associated with Epstein socially but claim to have had no knowledge of his crimes. While some of these defenses may be dishonest, it would be foolish to assume that every person listed was involved in sexual exploitation. Christians must resist the temptation to participate in modern-day culture and instead wait for the facts to be revealed before making moral judgments.
“At its core, the Epstein scandal exposes something far deeper than corruption or secrecy: it reveals a cultural loss of belief in the sacred worth of every human being.”
At its core, the Epstein scandal exposes something far deeper than corruption or secrecy;: it reveals a cultural loss of belief in the sacred worth of every human being. Scripture tells us that “God created mankind in his own image” (Genesis 1:27), meaning every person carries divine dignity that must never be violated or reduced to a means of selfish pleasure or gain. When society forgets this truth, people become commodities, and exploitation inevitably follows. The Church must respond by doing what we can in society to restore a worldview that sees every life as precious in God’s sight, modeling purity, respect, and protection of the vulnerable in our homes, congregations, and institutions.
When the Epstein files are finally made public, we must be prepared to face the uncomfortable truths they reveal. Some of the names may shock us. Those we once admired may be exposed as participants in unthinkable evil. This is the tragic reality of a world broken by sin, a world in desperate need of a Savior. As believers, we must meet these revelations not with despair, but with prayer, repentance, and renewed commitment to God’s justice and mercy.
Ephesians 5:11 “Don’t participate in the fruitless works of darkness, but instead expose them.”★
Isaiah Borchert ’28 is a Sophomore.
