Disgraced preacher Steven Lawson has broken his silence since his Dallas church removed him six months ago for an “inappropriate relationship” with a woman not his wife. On X last night, Lawson stated, “I have sinned grievously against the Lord, against my wife, my family, and against countless numbers of you.”
Lawson, former lead preacher of Trinity Bible Church of Dallas and dean of D. Min studies at John MacArthur’s The Master’s Seminary (TMS), confessed to the sinful relationship last September.
Trinity Bible then removed Lawson “indefinitely” from all ministry activities. And TMS declared him “permanently disqualified” from ministry.
“I am deeply broken that I have betrayed and deceived my wife, devastated my children, brought shame to the name of Christ, reproach upon His church, and harm to many ministries,” Lawson wrote.
He added that he has been silent for so long because he “needed the time to search my own soul to determine that my repentance is real.”
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The identity of the woman involved in the scandal has never been publicly confirmed. However, Phil Johnson, an elder at MacArthur’s Grace Community Church, stated online that Lawson “is 73. She is in her late 20s.”
Johnson initially said the woman was involved “nowhere close to any of the ministries Steve served” but later admitted she was a student at The Master’s University when the relationship began.
Because of the power differential between the woman and Lawson, some have suggested Lawson’s misconduct may qualify as clergy sexual abuse.
“I alone am responsible for my sin,” Lawson wrote. “I have confessed my sin to the Lord, to my wife, and my family, and have repented of it. I have spent the past months searching my heart to discover the roots of my sin and mortifying them by the grace of God. I hate my sin, weep over my sin, and have turned from it.”
Lawson also admitted that his sin “carries enormous consequences,” which he will live with “the rest of my life.” Lawson said he had failed those who look to him “for spiritual guidance” and asked for their forgiveness.
The hardline expositor, known for his fire and brimstone messages, also said he’s been “undergoing intensive counseling” and has “submitted to accountability with two pastors and to the elders of a local congregation.” Lawson said he’s also “under the oversight of an accountability team who monitor my progress.”
Lawson did not name the church overseeing his recovery. However, as previously reported by The Roys Report (TRR), Lawson has been attending Stephens Valley Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
In his post, Lawson did not mention Trinity Bible Church of Dallas in his post, or explain what role, if any, his previous church is playing in his life.
Lawson concluded his post by asking for people “pray for the Lord’s mercy and grace as I seek to make right the deeply wrong sins I have committed against my wife and family.” He also asked for prayers for “redemption and restoration” in his marriage.
Julie Roys is a veteran investigative reporter and founder of The Roys Report. She also previously hosted a national talk show on the Moody Radio Network, called Up for Debate, and has worked as a TV reporter for a CBS affiliate. Her articles have appeared in numerous periodicals.
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61 Responses
Pt1-
Because of the power differential between the woman and Lawson some have suggested Lawson’s misconduct may qualify as clergy sexual abuse.” The opressor and oppressed dynamic is an affront to the gospel. Biblical examples that refute this dynamic of neo-Marxism. Which views a community vs. a personal lens (inherently victims as frames individuals as powerless/blameless). So, sinners in a sinful world are re-identified as “oppressed” due to a power dynamic. Which engenders self-identity for expression as a virtue. Coping the oppressed victim and condemns the oppressor. Adam and Eve tried this dynamic with their sin by initiating responses as oppressed victims. Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent. Their deflection was a snapshot of the victim. God did not respond from a power dynamic, but individually. Rendering specific consequences for their own actions (Genesis 3:14-19). This situation had external influences yet they were held accountable.
-continued-
Yeh, but what does the Greek say?
Pt. 2 -continued –
What about Joseph?
1. Sold into slavery
2. Ostracized by his brothers
3. Falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife.
4. Unjustly prisoned
5. Victim of domestic violence
Joseph focused on God’s redemptive plan vs viewing himself as a victim that was under the opressor or oppressed dynamic Genesis 50:20. Paul, same perspective. 2 Cor. 11:23-28, Phili. 1:20 & 4:11 and James (1:2-8)saw redemption in hardships. He stated to count it all joy when you face various trials. Jesus didn’t treat the oppressed (Luke 7:36-50) as a victim. He treated a woman as a sinner and freed her from her bondage vs releasing her from oppression. Matthew 25:14-30. Parable of the talents. The is the one who buried his talent is the victim. Looks for excuses. That person is unregenerate. Romans 8:37-38 points to a victory over circumstances vs a victim of circumstances.
Ephesians 4:31-32 get rid of all those things that dictate you are a victim. The victim dynamics is the foothold we are warned about.
The Bible rejects the Neo-Marxist doctrine or oppressor/oppressed dynamic. Instead it views this dynamic in a redemptive manner. In fact the Bible is devoid of references to those who are victims under an oppressive regime. He only views those who are burdened due to sin and the effects of sin. Matthew 11:28-30, Galatians 5:1-2 and Romans 8. Those are antithetical to this sinful power dynamics. And give true hope and perspective for Steve and the woman. They both sinned.
While it may be true that the young lady is culpable for participating in the sin, to paint her as a temptress and compare her to Potiphar’s wife is a grave misrepresentation. Mr. Lawson as a Joseph is wrong. First, the wife of Joseph’s boss has a power differential of her own as was proven with the result of the encounter(Joseph’s imprisonment). Secondly, as a godly, righteous man, Joseph rejected the advances on numerous occasions. To bring in a comparison with “Marxism” and the “oppression” jargon may have rhetorical value in a propaganda piece, however, it merely clouds the real issues at stake here. There is no evidence that those reporting the happenings of this scandal are “Marxists”. The value of reporting this news is that Mr. Lawson is a national teacher claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ. Without referencing the multitude of Gospel and NT Epistle Scriptures, one thing is clear; for those who teach disciples of Christ a high ethical and moral standard is expected. The clear failure of Mr. Lawson calls into question his representation of our Lord’s teachings.
Very good, James, a little drawn out, but very good nonetheless ☺️
Of course he has sinned, for his whole career. He and these other celebrities have inserted themselves between God and man as an idol. The fact that some are shocked just proves the point. These celebrities do not know Jesus Christ, nor do they represent Him, they represent themselves and their own awful godless selfish ambition.
What about the girl in this scenario. Was her mind and heart ever engaged in the adulterous process? Somehow she acquiesced to having an illicit relationship with a married man that lasted years. Has she repented? Has she acknowledged wrongdoing? I think we are giving her a pass—to her detriment.
Louis, AGREED! This dangerous view that she is a victim is eternally damming. The Bible does not identify individuals as victims from an oppressor(s). Eve, Bathsheba, woman at the well, and Joseph all had redeeming purposes. When she stands before God and says, “Well God, several individuals said I was an oppressed by pastor Lawson. So I am not responsible for the sin. He used his power to manipulated me.” God’s gonna be, “I saw the social media. I understand.” Not!!! He will not genuflect to this perspective. The genesis of this sin was brought forward by her father. Lawson has disqualified himself from ministry. Forget the blame-game. Realize their sin deserves the wrath of God but can be covered by Christ alone. This victim oppressor thing has crept into the church. Hence the church needs operation pseudo Christianity reduction.
Dear Jason:
While I understand what you are attempting to communicate, I think there is a little more to the issue that requires our understanding. It is irrefutable that the young woman is guilty as to her part in the inappropriate and sinful relationship with Dr. Lawson. That being said, even our laws recognizes that some people will be held more accountable due to their title and position. For example, in several states, including Texas, a person in a position of authority and trust like a Pastor, Therapist/Counselor, and officer of the court (Judge/Lawyer), can and will be held criminally liable for taking advantage of someone in a lesser position or a subordinate position of trust. That is because such persons wield a lot of influence and persuasion over others who are accountable to them. So, that is why the young woman, who was around 20 years of age when the relationship started, seems to have a lot of sympathy and compassion from people who expected more from Dr. Lawson, a well-known Pastor/Scholar in his early 70’s.
Wayne, this situation demands speculation. I’m not mitigating Pastor Lawson’s sin. However, without the facts. You are speculating. I was speaking largely to an issue of this dynamic in the body of Christ. Second, this victim/opressor dynamic is not a biblical concept. The same context in scripture as delineated in my previous comments as a redemptive arc. I understand your perspective. I have considered it. It’s not one that lines up with scripture. I only scratched the surface.
Sorry Wayne. I reject your premise. I wasn’t attempting to communicate. I was communicating a Biblical premise. This notion that the “law” is my modicum is a false dichotomy. For a few reasons:
1. Practically we do not have information on the narrative. We do not know who enticed who.
2. I strongly believe that the victim mentality is counterintuitive to the gospel.
3. The “oppressor” dynamic has permeated the church in an unhealthy manner.
4. The Bible has a redemptive goal in these dynamics.
“I am deeply broken that I have betrayed and deceived my wife, devastated my children, brought shame to the name of Christ, reproach upon His church, and harm to many ministries,” Lawson wrote.
Anyone else notice the victim isn’t mentioned?!?!
I’m not familiar with Pastor Lawson or his teachings, but I accept his repentance as sincere. When a person has sincerely repented, the time for conviction or piling on is over. I think we should abide by what Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 2:5 through 11.
6 Months…? Looks like Lawson is sending out a trial balloon to see how the Public/Evangelicals react…. he will wait for another three months before another trial balloon and then the final step of “restoration”…..
Folks …welcome to Evangelical Industrial Complex….. where most people are very Machiavellian in their actions….
One thing never really talked about is, were they “in love”? I am sure Lawson’s wife has this concern. As a 62 yo man I can say with confidence that if I was “knowing” a woman in her twenties the memories are more or less etched into your brain and body for the foreseeable future. Considering this wasnt “two ships passing in the night”, but they established a relationship , as well as consummated the connection, the feelings will be tough to shake off. Grace to all involved.
I don’t know if this was brought up here or not, but has he asked forgiveness to the woman he sexually assaulted, including her father that forced Lawson to confess?
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God – having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people” 2 Timothy 3: 1-5.