A leading figure in Reformed evangelicalism in the USA says he has "sinned grievously" through an inappropriate relationship with another woman.
Dr Steven J Lawson resigned from ministry at Trinity Bible Church of Dallas and also One Passion Ministries - an organisation designed to bring "a new Reformation" - last autumn. Statements from both at the time indicated the nature of his infidelity.
Now Lawson himself has made a one-off post on social media setting out what he says is his deep sorrow and repentance.
In the past Lawson has been a teaching fellow for Ligonier Ministries, director of the Doctor of Ministry program at The Master’s Seminary, and a visiting professor in the Doctor of Ministry program at the Ligonier Academy of Biblical and Theological Studies. He also wrote two dozen books, including The Passionate Preaching of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Evangelistic Zeal of George Whitefield, and John Knox: Fearless Faith.
'Shattered heart'
Writing on X, Lawson said: "It is with a shattered heart that I write this letter. I have sinned grievously against the Lord, against my wife, my family, and against countless numbers of you by having a sinful relationship with a woman not my wife. 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.
"You may wonder why I have been silent and largely invisible since the news of my sin became known. I have needed the time to search my own soul to determine that my repentance is real. I alone am responsible for my sin. 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.
"My sin carries enormous consequences, and I will be living with those for the rest of my life. Over the years, many have looked to me for spiritual guidance, and I have failed you. I beg for your forgiveness. I have been undergoing extensive counselling for the last five months to face the hard questions I need to address. I have dealt with sin issues that have been painfully exposed in my heart.
'Accountability'
"I have submitted myself in weekly accountability to two pastors and to the elders of a local congregation, who have shepherded my soul. I am also under the oversight of an accountability team who monitor my progress and give me wise counsel in the decisions I have to make. I am growing in grace, reading and absorbing the Word of God, putting it into practice, praying, and meeting with other believers.
"I am involved in the life of the church, attending and participating in prayer meetings, Sunday school, the worship service, and taking communion weekly. I am being fed the Word in the mid-week Bible study. Please pray for my spiritual growth into Christlikeness as I follow Him moment by moment during this recovery season. I am grateful for the unmerited grace of God in the gospel to extend His full forgiveness to me.
No further statements
"Again, I ask for your forgiveness as well. While I continue to do the hard work of soul-searching repentance, I do not intend to make further public comments for the foreseeable future.
"Please 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, and that in His time and way He will bring about redemption and restoration in our marriage, for His glory."
When the news of Lawson's fall was revealed last autumn, Banner of Truth trustee and Irish pastor Warren Peel wrote in an article: "No doubt many of us have benefited greatly from Steve Lawson’s preaching and writing ministry. To hear of his removal from ministry under these circumstances is a grievous shock.
"The devil loves to use the public fall of the Lord’s servants to make other believers stumble or sin—we are not ignorant of his designs (2 Cor. 2:11). With that in mind, let’s make every effort to respond to this news in as godly a way as possible."
Peel's full article can be read here.
