This breaks my heart. I’ve just finished studying Ezk 34. Not much has changed, human nature sins, even those who have been covered in the blood of Jesus. May we all learn from this, examine our own hearts, and pray for ourselves and for the church. Yes, let the light shine. PS 90:8, “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.”
I am saddened, but not surprised by the revelations you highlighted. As a Southern Baptist myself, although not a Denominational loyalist, I know that each of us is prone to sin and must be vigilant at our point(s) of weakness. I differ with your analysis of Russell Moore, but that is a subject for another time. Every Denomination or Church Association is made up of sinners saved by Grace. It is not sad to me to have this scandal exposed to the bright sunlight, but what is really sad is that if it had been exposed earlier, it would have deterred the follow-on abuse. The men who perpetrated the sin, as well as those who tried to mask or hide it are not blameless and need to be held up to the light for all to see.
I do think the men like Russell Moore who expose these kinds of scandals, in this way, do it more for vindication and humiliation of the perpetrators than for a true healing of the flock. If more people feared being exposed for what they do in "hidden" ways, and knew that what they did in private would be exposed widely, they would not have been so blind to their own sin.
I believe that Denominations are killing themselves generally by their actions. Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist...not to exclude others... are all settling into a Laodicean mindset and Born Again believers are being left to find Biblical Churches that adhere to Biblical and Christian Orthodoxy. In today's world, that can be a troubling endeavor..BUT GOD HAS THIS...and we must seek Him first and foremost. Maranatha!
I am 87 and have known of things like this happening back when I was a teen. They were exposed and I know of several other exposures through the years and they still don't change. Pastors do a lot of counseling to many ladies that are having marriage problems and are exposed a lot more than the rest of us. I have known Pastors that require some staff person to be in a room with an open door when they do the counseling and I would think that should help a lot.
My job for years was also open to that kind of problem and many men fell in the pit with having the opportunity that was there. I was Blessed by never having fallen and always being true to my wife.
It does need to be exposed though and Blessings to Erick for doing it at this time.
Yes, I agree that this all needs exposure. As you note: pastors and church leaders are still men and are weak vessels without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Blessings to you and all those who major on fidelity and purity.
When David was confronted by Nathan, it was both for David's good and for the Lord's name. Had David's son been allowed to live, his presence would be the basis of the Lord's name being blasphemed. Sexual Sin is one of the most pervasive sins present. I know all to well it's damage, and Paul says quite clearly "so were some of you". One of my former heroes was recently exposed as a sexual exploiter as well. So, much prayer and weeping over past sin, and much praying that like David all who are caught in this sin might truly repent and be cleaned by the blood of our Lord. No One is beyond the reach of Sin, and No One is beyond the reach of the Lord's grace. My prayer is that many still come to salvation and run from this sin that so easily entangles us. Grace to you Erick as you expose the truth and call people back to true repentance. Charles
As an SBC pastor (for now anyway--Anaheim may cause changes), this is painful and damaging to the cause of Christ. The only "bright-spot" (I speak as a fool), is the private, outside investigators were initiated by those in leadership with both brains and have a moral compass. Interestingly, the "unveiling" (Revelation) of Jesus Christ at the Eschaton will also have a parallel in the realm of Satan and his antichrist. Unfortunately, the unveiling of unrighteousness will only make the words of Christ clearer: "When the Son of Man return, will He find faith on the earth?" Sola Gratia.
I asked J.D. Greer yesterday, who will hold these leaders accountable? (It was on Twitter, so I don't expect an answer.) I have friends from FBC Woodstock. I have friends at other SBC churches whose leadership is solidly biblical. I left the SBC for other reasons, but since then have found Beth Moore to be delightful, Russell Moore to be thoughtful, and liturgical traditions to be useful. It hurts my heart to see once respected leaders and scholars fall into the darkness. "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world" (1 John 2). The perpetrators will stand before God. Who will stand for the victims this side of heaven?
Two years ago, Ravi Zachiarris died. Then reports of sexual problems and massage parlors came up. The ministry he built just seemed to evaporate overnight. I’m not a trophy fish for Satan, but those in church leadership are.
Were there any Nathans willing to suffer the king’s wrath by exposing the abuse?
This is so sad! I know we are all sinners but when one takes on a ministry role that person has to constantly pray to resist temptation and if finds themselves unable, then before any acts, resign that post! Jesus said it was sin to just lust in your heart before any actions! These acts really hurt Christianity cuz we are to be lights in the world!
This piece was extremely helpful in getting me to a truthful understanding of the ERLC controversy and vindicated Russell Moore. I am in the PCA, so all of this was quite foreign to me when it broke out. Many people need to repent for their public maligning of Moore. In my ignorance, I thought him questionable due to what I was reading from them. He has had to suffer much for the truth. May this be a lesson to us all.
Don't be so quick to vindicate Russell Moore. He is a pot stirrer at best, and an apostate at worst. His actions speak more to revenge that hopeful healing to me.
This breaks my heart. I’ve just finished studying Ezk 34. Not much has changed, human nature sins, even those who have been covered in the blood of Jesus. May we all learn from this, examine our own hearts, and pray for ourselves and for the church. Yes, let the light shine. PS 90:8, “You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence.”
I am saddened, but not surprised by the revelations you highlighted. As a Southern Baptist myself, although not a Denominational loyalist, I know that each of us is prone to sin and must be vigilant at our point(s) of weakness. I differ with your analysis of Russell Moore, but that is a subject for another time. Every Denomination or Church Association is made up of sinners saved by Grace. It is not sad to me to have this scandal exposed to the bright sunlight, but what is really sad is that if it had been exposed earlier, it would have deterred the follow-on abuse. The men who perpetrated the sin, as well as those who tried to mask or hide it are not blameless and need to be held up to the light for all to see.
I do think the men like Russell Moore who expose these kinds of scandals, in this way, do it more for vindication and humiliation of the perpetrators than for a true healing of the flock. If more people feared being exposed for what they do in "hidden" ways, and knew that what they did in private would be exposed widely, they would not have been so blind to their own sin.
I believe that Denominations are killing themselves generally by their actions. Catholic, Orthodox, Episcopal, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Baptist...not to exclude others... are all settling into a Laodicean mindset and Born Again believers are being left to find Biblical Churches that adhere to Biblical and Christian Orthodoxy. In today's world, that can be a troubling endeavor..BUT GOD HAS THIS...and we must seek Him first and foremost. Maranatha!
I am 87 and have known of things like this happening back when I was a teen. They were exposed and I know of several other exposures through the years and they still don't change. Pastors do a lot of counseling to many ladies that are having marriage problems and are exposed a lot more than the rest of us. I have known Pastors that require some staff person to be in a room with an open door when they do the counseling and I would think that should help a lot.
My job for years was also open to that kind of problem and many men fell in the pit with having the opportunity that was there. I was Blessed by never having fallen and always being true to my wife.
It does need to be exposed though and Blessings to Erick for doing it at this time.
Yes, I agree that this all needs exposure. As you note: pastors and church leaders are still men and are weak vessels without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Blessings to you and all those who major on fidelity and purity.
When David was confronted by Nathan, it was both for David's good and for the Lord's name. Had David's son been allowed to live, his presence would be the basis of the Lord's name being blasphemed. Sexual Sin is one of the most pervasive sins present. I know all to well it's damage, and Paul says quite clearly "so were some of you". One of my former heroes was recently exposed as a sexual exploiter as well. So, much prayer and weeping over past sin, and much praying that like David all who are caught in this sin might truly repent and be cleaned by the blood of our Lord. No One is beyond the reach of Sin, and No One is beyond the reach of the Lord's grace. My prayer is that many still come to salvation and run from this sin that so easily entangles us. Grace to you Erick as you expose the truth and call people back to true repentance. Charles
As an SBC pastor (for now anyway--Anaheim may cause changes), this is painful and damaging to the cause of Christ. The only "bright-spot" (I speak as a fool), is the private, outside investigators were initiated by those in leadership with both brains and have a moral compass. Interestingly, the "unveiling" (Revelation) of Jesus Christ at the Eschaton will also have a parallel in the realm of Satan and his antichrist. Unfortunately, the unveiling of unrighteousness will only make the words of Christ clearer: "When the Son of Man return, will He find faith on the earth?" Sola Gratia.
I asked J.D. Greer yesterday, who will hold these leaders accountable? (It was on Twitter, so I don't expect an answer.) I have friends from FBC Woodstock. I have friends at other SBC churches whose leadership is solidly biblical. I left the SBC for other reasons, but since then have found Beth Moore to be delightful, Russell Moore to be thoughtful, and liturgical traditions to be useful. It hurts my heart to see once respected leaders and scholars fall into the darkness. "For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world" (1 John 2). The perpetrators will stand before God. Who will stand for the victims this side of heaven?
I would think that no one is in a position to not "let God work it all out."
Two years ago, Ravi Zachiarris died. Then reports of sexual problems and massage parlors came up. The ministry he built just seemed to evaporate overnight. I’m not a trophy fish for Satan, but those in church leadership are.
Were there any Nathans willing to suffer the king’s wrath by exposing the abuse?
The SBC needs more Nathans.
This is so sad! I know we are all sinners but when one takes on a ministry role that person has to constantly pray to resist temptation and if finds themselves unable, then before any acts, resign that post! Jesus said it was sin to just lust in your heart before any actions! These acts really hurt Christianity cuz we are to be lights in the world!
This piece was extremely helpful in getting me to a truthful understanding of the ERLC controversy and vindicated Russell Moore. I am in the PCA, so all of this was quite foreign to me when it broke out. Many people need to repent for their public maligning of Moore. In my ignorance, I thought him questionable due to what I was reading from them. He has had to suffer much for the truth. May this be a lesson to us all.
Don't be so quick to vindicate Russell Moore. He is a pot stirrer at best, and an apostate at worst. His actions speak more to revenge that hopeful healing to me.
As a Deacon in a Southern Baptist Church, I will be urging our leaders to do the right thing.