Last week, Julie Roys published a report of evidence and testimony from wounded people in the ministry orbit of Grace Bible Church. It’s not something I want to repeat here, maybe because I don’t have an axe to grind with MacArthur. He’s one of the big voices on my side of the church–that would be the big tent side (small ‘r’ reformed or Calvinist), not my specific side (PCA). But like the accusations against Zacharias, this seems important and relevant enough to post.
There are many details, and I don’t understand how there wasn’t an accountability structure in place to take accusations seriously without preferring the victim or the perpetrator. It’s an application of the doctrine of original sin, that being anyone is capable of sin, even pastors, and the perpetrators of heinous sins are going to work on appearing to be above such things. On the other hand, accusers can lie, therefore accusations should be given some amount of due diligence to uncover the truth.
I’m worried that this story is an example of the corrupting nature of power. I’m worried this shows MacArthur and his people chose mega ministry over responsible shepherding. But even as I type that, it sounds false, because I know the pastor of a fifty-member church, the owner of the greasy spoon down the street, and the head flight attendant on a single aircraft can all be tyrants of their domains. Power doesn’t need size to corrupt; it just fertilizes the seed already planted.
The gist of this account is read in these paragraphs toward the end. Wendy, the primary victim, wanted to put everything behind her, but she read the report last month of Grace Baptist excommunicating a woman for not returning to her abusive husband.
Wendy said that similar to how she naïvely assumed her father had not sexually molested anyone else, she also assumed MacArthur had not covered for other pedophiles like her father. Wendy said she now believes covering for abusers is a pattern with MacArthur that needs to be confronted.
“It’s not okay to believe the perpetrator,” Wendy said. “I just don’t want other people to be damaged by Grace Church or other churches not handling things in an appropriate manner.”
The good news is God is shining light on hidden things more and more. But it’s hard. My denomination (the SBC) is currently being rocked with scandals. The Lord is cleansing his church (I hope). Or just flat out judging us (which we certainly deserve).
I know this is anecdotal, but I’ve had it npkeasant online interactions with those who work for MacArthur and have observed their interactions with others for years on social media. Guys like Phil Johnson and others There is an arrogance that is palpable. The example from a few years ago of JM’s mocking “go home” message to Beth Moore is a good example. An unnecessary and uncalled for dig at a sister in Christ, for laughs.
They assume the license to be jerks, I think, because they think good theology covers a multitude of sins.
This carries over into other areas. At the end of the day, power blinds. The desire to “protect God’s ministry” overwhelms the desire to protect the abused person right in front of them.
The name of Christ is being blasphemed among the lost because of the behavior of we who claim to love him. It’s devastating.
I hear you, Bill. I probably care too little about harsh jokes like JMac’s comment on Moore. I should have seen it for the dismissive meanness it was.