Shock Wave

1 :an event that produces a strong, sudden and rapid change in pressure. The intensity of such an event can be destructive to people or objects it comes into contact with.

2 :a very strong reaction that spreads through a group of people when something surprising or bad happens.

Such an event just occurred in Dallas Texas when Trinity Bible Church elders posted a statement announcing, “effective immediately Steven J. Lawson has been removed indefinitely from all ministry activities.” The revelation of sexual sin sent a shock wave that traveled at the speed of light to believers in Christ across the nation.

The magnitude of this shock wave is beyond anything in memory. The pressure at impact was felt by countless people, all of whom were totally and completely blindsided by what hit them. The damage wrought will be impossible to measure.

Validation

When I received the news sent via text message from a friend, my immediate reaction was to verify the validity of the information for myself—all the while praying that this was a false and slanderous accusation of the type now common in our day. As I searched, my heart sank to the breaking point when I could not find any reason to not believe the news as true and accurate.

The force of the impact was stunning and disorienting. Emotionally it knocked me completely off balance in disbelief. I was left standing in my office not knowing what to do with myself, something I have rarely experienced. Bewilderment quickly set in, my thoughts became a tangled maze. The mix of emotions was intense that afternoon.

How Can This Be?

How could a man with so many decades of prominent ministry have fallen like this? After all, he was a pastor of a growing church, held prominent positions at Ligonier and the Master's Seminary, authored many books and founded a ministry to train men to preach and much more.

How then, could he fail at the most basic of duties, honoring his vow to his wife? How could a shepherd bring harm to those under his care? How could such a sin occur right in the midst the reformed community, by someone widely respected for his commitment to biblical theology?

How can this be? That in just one moment, a lifetime of work completely laid waste! All of these posed a monumental challenge to comprehend. My questions continue to mount up.

Reaction

How then should I react? Am I to be angry or sad? What is the right attitude? Do I feel betrayed, “Boy you sure screwed up” then shake a fist at him? Or should I have a sense of brokenness with deep sadness? Maybe self-examination? I asked God why? Why this man? Why now? A pastor I loved for so many years for his commitment to the Word and clear exposition, now forced out and barred from teaching.

How am I to think of Lawson going forward? He was a shepherd, is he now a pew sitting sheep in need of shepherding? How do I refer to him? With all his earned degrees, is the title doctor even appropriate?

Questions abound for sure! There seem to be countless ways to come at this event regarding the totality of the failure, and concerning God’s providence and purpose.

The cold reality, this is how Lawson will be remembered. It seems apparent that for years to come, we will be studying what occurred and identifying and applying many lessons.

Eternal Question

The one question that is likely, if it has not already been asked, what about this man’s salvation? Here much care must be exercised. Unless over the course of time there is clear evidence to conclude otherwise, he is certainly a sinner saved by grace — a son of God under discipline (cf. Hebrews 12:5-11).

Here, at this point we owe our Lord and Savior praise. By the mercies of the cross, Lawson’s sins were nailed to that cross over two thousand years ago, the place where every sin was paid for. This man is completely forgiven, and Christ sits at the right hand of the Father to plead that forgiveness on his behalf. Nothing can or will ever change that reality.

When Jesus Christ spoke the words in John 19:30 “It is finished!” no sin was left outstanding. This included all sin, even those yet to be committed.

God is Sovereign

As Christians we know Yahweh does not need man. Nor has He ever needed man. Our Lord will continue His work His way. The taking down of a temporal ministry does not hinder His work in the slightest. Therefore, we presuppose a purpose, and that that purpose is for good.

Yahweh is the God of the Word. The power of His Word is unchanged. Man’s good works or sin does not validate or invalidate God’s Word. The Truth of God’s Word is sure, and He can use the righteous or the wicked to speak it (cf. Matthew 27:25). The Sovereignty of God overshadows everything.

Simply because a man falls into sin does not cancel, diminish or undermine God’s Word. That Word does not change because man fails at his duties. The good works God accomplishes through a now defunct ministry cannot be undone, therefore, our sovereign Lord deserves all praise.

Can’t Be Ignored

In events like this, I firmly believe pastors must step in and directly address what took place. The people in the pews need guidance, help with their feelings and help understanding. They need to see what God says from His Word regarding such circumstances. If there ever was a “teaching moment” this is it!

Pastors need to assume a certain amount of “shell shock” within the flock. In a time when the daily news coming out of our country and culture is dominated by evil, and then out of nowhere comes news of the crash and burn of a leading pastor. This issue and others like it must be addressed.

Holiness Matters

Christianity is not a theory or theoretical way to live, it is an actual life. We are not merely to try to live for Christ, as if to give it our best effort. Christ’s life must be implanted into us before we can actually live for Him. Apart from this understanding, growth will not occur.

Therefore, Christ needs be the center of all preaching, church life , marriages and families, and the whole of each person’s living. Paul admonishes us, “Put on the new man, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth” (Ephesians 4:24).

Yes, we need to have good deeds – doing the good work (cf.  Matthew 25:21). Yet here we have before us a shocking reminder of the importance of personal holiness. John Stott writes: “The church of Thyatira understood that the Christian life is a life of growth, of progress, of development.” Knowing this, each of us should pray that our “latter works” will “exceed the first.”

For all of Lawson’s work, his love, faith, service, and steadfastness, he nevertheless failed in personal holiness. We never come to a point where we have “arrived.” Not in this life. Age, fame, degrees, prestige, even decades of work mean nothing in the absence of holiness.

Each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification [holiness] and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God. 1 Thessalonians 4:4-5

In short, the Christian life is a whole life. A wholesome life. There are no silos, all aspects of one’s life is interconnected with Christ. All of Christ, in all of your life.

Is the Woman a Victim?

The answer to this question in times past was self-evident. However, in too many cases the church leadership in our present day has allowed the world's influence into the pews. So much so that Christian thinking has become muddled. What was once self-evident, is now a question needing/demanding an answer.

An inappropriate relationship always involves two people. There are no victims. Two sinners were involved. Does one have a greater responsibility? Yes. A man in ministry certainly does. This does not mean that the other party is innocent or without blame.

The woman’s marital status is unknown. Regardless of the woman’s knowledge of the man’s marital status, an inappropriate relationship with an unmarried or married man is a sin. Therefore, she is not a victim. She willfully participated in the sin.

If a Christian continues to have questions in this regard, the burden is on them to do their homework and search God's Word. My prayer is this woman’s sin is being dealt with Biblically by her church elders.

Explanation Demanded

Typical in the age of the internet, calls for an explanation or statements were quick in coming. These demands are directed towards the church and ministries that had involvement with Lawson. They are expected to make a statement or give an explanation.

Going right to the point, we in the Christian community are not owed anything. The matter was handled by the elders of Trinity Bible Church. They made a determination and took the necessary action. In addition to their responsibility to shepherd their flock, they promptly notified other ministries of the sin and the man’s disqualification. Additionally and appropriately, because of Lawson public ministry, the elders posted a statement on the church’s website.

Beyond that, we people are not owed anything.

Public Statement

The question is, should this man make a public statement? Does he need to confess his sin to the public? Admittedly, I do not have a solid answer. Looking to the Word, I continue to search for understanding.

My opinion, if such a confession is necessary, it should happen later. Lawson’s elders need however much time as necessary to determine the fullness and genuineness of his repentance. This has to be their focus. Right now, restoration is what is important.

If such a confession is necessary, it should not be to satisfy people’s demands. Such an action must be purely out of obedience to God and His Word.

The Impact of Sin

The shock wave that struck all of us this past week, came with one very loud message — our God is a Holy God who despises sin. Should this not drive us to our knees in confession?

There is a profoundly deep sadness in my heart from this recent news. Just as profound and deep, is the sense and reminder of my own sin and unworthiness.

The mercy and grace of Christ came at a huge cost. Perhaps the worst of all Christian sins, is to treat this lightly. And when we do, our chastisement is well deserved. He gave His all! Are we to do any less?

 What I am and will become is because of Him. I deserve nothing, Jesus Christ deserves everything. I pray this is true for you as well.