Pastor and teacher John MacArthur is speaking out against the latest scandal surrounding prominent preacher and theologian Dr. Steve Lawson after it was revealed that he had an “inappropriate” relationship with a woman in her 20s. mentioned. Lawson, founder of One Passion Ministries, deleted Lawson resigned from his position as senior pastor at Trinity Baptist Church last month after it was revealed that he had had an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman in her 20s over the past five years.
inside Q&A On Oct. 20, MacArthur, senior pastor of Grace Community Church, was asked how he would handle the issue, especially since Lawson frequently speaks at GCC and teaches at a master's seminary. . Opponent I will report.
“I say this with the deepest pain in my heart. But first, please understand that God blesses this church in many ways; One of the ways God has blessed us is by exposing someone who is in trouble.'' They have no right to cleanse the church. ”
Citing the Bible, MacArthur said the message to the church in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 emphasizes the consequences if the church fails to address sin.
“The church has two options. One, do the right thing. Two, it's over. So the church at Laodicea is over, Smyrna is over. Either you deal with the sins of one or the other.” .I will remove the candlestick. Such an attitude from a leader is fatal to the church.”
MacArthur said that despite the “soundness of his theology,” none of Lawson's colleagues expected such a fall from grace.
“None of us knew that, and none of us expected it for the sake of theological soundness, but the Lord knew, and the Lord said, “Grace, that is enough for the church,” I was told that was enough for the Master Seminary.”
According to reports church leadersMacArthur believes that God is exposing “unfaithful leaders” like Lawson and Robert Morris because “enough is enough.”
“And while I wish something like this had never happened to us, it would be foolish to think that there was no effort by the enemy to plant in this church someone who could have a corrupting influence. That is Satan's cunning.”
“You know, as the end approaches, I think the Lord is purifying His church, and I'm very grateful for that,” MacArthur said. “My heart and soul obviously hurt for my friend Steve.”
He added that he still loves Lawson because he has “loved it for 25 years.”
MacArthur said he “doesn't know if Lawson has preached in the past.” [his] Unless the scars on my conscience are completely gone…I pray constantly and in fact find myself praying for him at some point in the middle of the night almost every night. ”
MacArthur said, “Sometimes we know sin and can deal with it, but sometimes we don't know sin and the Lord must reveal it. But my heart goes out to the sinner. I am devastated, but I am grateful to the Savior who is cleansing the church.”
During a Q&A tonight at Grace Community Church, John MacArthur is asked about Steve Lawson. His answer is wise, without giving too many details that he himself may not know.
Pastor John says that even though his heart is broken for sinners, he is grateful for the Savior. pic.twitter.com/WBhbMNBbFH
— Terry Green (@TerriGreenUSA) October 21, 2024
MacArthur's appearance at the GCC will be his first since his latest medical procedure, which has kept him away from the pulpit in recent months.
Mr MacArthur underwent surgery in 2023 to have four stents placed in the arteries around his heart, which he said was “very successful'' and that his “heart was in very good condition'' after the surgery.
However, a few months after the surgery, doctors “realized that his heart rhythm was abnormal, so they performed another surgery…and it was successful,” MacArthur said. About a year later, the pastor's cardiologist told him his aorta needed to be replaced.
“And they did it,” MacArthur continued, “and it succeeded.”
“But through all of that, I'm always trying to get better,” he added. “So, it's been a long siege, but the problem that I think has been the most difficult for me, as you can probably tell from the way I talk about it, is the breathing problem.”
X-rays showed MacArthur's breathing problems were caused by fluid buildup in his lungs and required surgery within two months.
“It takes a lot of patience to recover from that,” MacArthur said. “I've never been very good at resting.”
“That's why I was reading [in] Epistle to the Hebrews 3 “And four, I need to rest. As long as the Lord lets me rest, I'm willing to rest,” MacArthur said. I want to serve you and continue to serve the Lord as much as I can. ”
He also predicted he would return to the pulpit within four to six weeks.
Photo credit: ©RNS/Vimeo/Grace Community Church
