“Every record has been destroyed or falsified, every book rewritten, every picture has been repainted, every statue and street building has been renamed, every date has been altered. And the process is continuing day by day and minute by minute. History has stopped. Nothing exists except an endless present in which the Party is always right.”
― 1984
Recently a Sovereign Grace “insider” passed along some information they thought would be of interest to me. Check out the two screenshots below and note what paragraph has been deleted from the earlier document. The first screenshot was saved to The Wayback Machine on 9 November 2023, the second screenshot was saved to The Wayback Machine on 31 March 2024.
The missing paragraph, which Lauren Maples, the ‘Minister of Disinformation’ at Sovereign Grace Churches proudly highlighted by making the script bold, was:
“In our 40+ years as an organization of churches, we have not found a single instance in which a Sovereign Grace pastor or staff member has ever been charged with – much less convicted of – sexual abuse or covering up abuse.”
This was a lie when the document was written, but it was cleverly worded, purposely in my opinion, to provide the Sovereign Grace leaders plausible deniability. (We didn’t say there were no instances, just that we have not discovered any instances!) When it comes to finding corruption in their ranks, Mr. Magoo would have a better chance of it than any Kool-Aid-swilling Sovereign Grace pastor.
Can I prove that a “Sovereign Grace pastor or staff member has ever been charged with – much less convicted of – sexual abuse or covering up abuse?”
Yes. I present Exhibit ‘A’ – Nathaniel Morales.
Nathaniel Morales Found Guilty on All Counts of Sex Abuse & Offense
Friday, May 16, 2014 at 12:48AM
The Jury has returned its verdict. Nathaniel Morales was found guilty on all five counts of sex abuse and sex offense.
Exhibit B, and undoubtedly the one that caused Lauren Maples to rewrite her “Historical Allegations” document, is that of Sovereign Grace Church of LaGrange, GA pastor Russell Tusing. Tusing was arrested and indicted for sexually abusing his daughter, who was 13 years old at the time. Brent Detwiler has written several articles on this scandal, the latest being on Tusing’s indictment. You will find the article here.
Mark Prater, Executive President of Sovereign Grace Churches, has given high praise to Russell Tusing when speaking at his church. (Of course, in reality, this is meaningless as all Sovereign Grace pastors are well-trained in the art of meaningless flattery of their colleagues.) Nonetheless, Prater chose to publicly praise Tusing so going after him for having done so is fair game in my book. Since word got out of Tusing’s arrest, Prater and the boys have clammed up, other than a statement they gave to a news channel from Atlanta.
The entire “Historical Allegations” document is a Sovereign Grace propaganda piece intended to mislead the masses that do not have an in-depth knowledge of the scandal. They accuse others of “slander, gossip and even published works that are riddled with factual errors.” They state the lawsuit was dismissed in 2013 but don’t say it was dismissed because it was filed after the statute of limitations had expired, leading the reader to believe the case had no merit.
In my opinion, if an individual is aware of the facts, this document is another red flag cautioning one to steer clear of the Sovereign Grace denomination. That is what Albert Mohler decided to do after he realized after meeting with Rachael Denhollander that he had been deceived by C.J. Mahaney.
Here is Dr. Mohler’s statement:
Statement from R. Albert Mohler Jr. on Sovereign Grace Churches
February 15, 2019As many are aware, I have recently apologized and asked forgiveness for serious errors I made in how I responded to concerns that were raised about Sovereign Grace Churches and CJ Mahaney.
In 2013 I was part of a statement supportive of CJ and dismissive of the allegations and concerns raised regarding SGC’s handling of sexual and domestic abuse claims. This was motivated by several factors. At the time the allegations surfaced, I did request that CJ and the ministry participate in an independent investigation, and I was pointed to the investigation that Covenant Life Church had commissioned. I did not realize until this past year that SGC and its leaders had not participated in that investigation, nor was I equipped to know the shortcomings of how that investigation was conducted. I wrongly believed that an investigation had been done, and relied on that assurance and the court dismissal of the civil suit, along with my personal knowledge of CJ, when I issued my statement of support in 2013. I deeply regret this. I frankly was not equipped to sift through the allegations and did not grasp the situation, and I am responsible for that and for not seeking the counsel of those who were.
I also deeply regret my introduction of CJ at Together for the Gospel the following year. My words were intended to reference the general fog of information on the Internet, and I am grieved to acknowledge that I did not even grasp the context I was speaking into. This was wrong, a serious error, and caused hurt to the victims and survivors who felt that their suffering had been trivialized and dismissed. And I grieve that, I apologize for that, I am deeply sorry, it was wrong and I must say so without excuse or minimization. I would never make such a comment again.
When this issue resurfaced a year ago, I was made painfully aware of my serious mistakes. I immediately urged that an independent investigation be conducted and agreed that CJ needed to step down from public ministry until that took place. This resulted in a severing of all personal and ministry ties, and I have had no relationship with CJ or SGC since that time.
I was deeply affected by the documentation offered by Rachael Denhollander. I met with Jacob and Rachael soon after she released the documentation and I have deeply appreciated her counsel. That first conversation fundamentally changed my understanding of this issue.
I issued a statement in May making it clear that any ministry or organization facing these allegations must submit to an independent investigation. I did not specify SCG by name because I was concerned it would appear self-serving and a political effort to save face. In hindsight, I believe speaking more specifically, earlier, would have been wiser. I sought to be clear by my actions in severing public ties and calling all ministries to a higher standard, but as I am learning more I have realized that this did not communicate to the extent I had intended it to.
I wish I had spoken more forcefully. I should have been very clear about insisting on an independent, credible, third-party investigation right from the time these allegations arose. I should have said nothing until I had heard from the survivors who were making those allegations. I should have sought advice and counsel of agencies and authorities and experts who were even then on the front lines of dealing with these kinds of allegations.
It is my own mistakes that, in large part, are driving my sense of urgency to respond clearly and forcefully to the problems in the SBC which the Houston Chronicle has detailed.
A word to our students, particularly survivors on this campus: I want you to know that I am grieved at these errors, I am seeking input from those who know more. We have stringent policies in place but are working on a public document outlining our policies for handling allegations of abuse and where to go for help, which we will post to ensure the greatest accountability possible. We also have a liaison available to you if you have suffered abuse or harassment who can offer support, advocacy, and help.
To the survivors who were hurt by my errors, please know how grieved I am. Some will question whether the force of public pressure explains the timing of my statement and its public nature. In all candor, this pressure is no doubt part of that explanation. That fact should serve to encourage survivors and their advocates to maintain such pressure.
And for survivors who may not yet have spoken up, especially regarding allegations of abuse that have not yet been investigated by law enforcement, I urge anyone with information to report to the proper legal authorities so justice and the truth can be pursued.
I can only speak for myself, but I wish to do so clearly, acknowledging these errors, grieving at the harm that was done, and committing to do everything I can to lead well and to serve Christ faithfully.
Albert Mohler, Jr. (Link)
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Regarding Mohler & Mahaney … the dudebros stick together, until the potato becomes too hot to handle and they feel a need to distance themselves to protect their own skin. We have seen it all over the New Calvinist landscape: Mahaney, Driscoll, McDonald, etc. etc.
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There is well-documented proof that SGM/SGC is loathe to deal with its history. It apparently has no problem stretching the truth. Decent folks, when they change their history, admit what they are doing. I have no respect for this group, whatever its name is at the moment.
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dee,
Yup
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Though i understand the sentiment, I have come to really dislike the term “dudebros”, along with the other name calling and snark that goes on in TWW; both in the articles and in the comments. It’s just bothersome to me and seems like it may delegitimize the content being reported and the articles. Maybe we could leave the name calling and snark in the rubbish bin…
Ok. I’m done. Just needed to say it out loud… [sic]
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Neither do I.
They’re mountebanks all of em’.
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Good Old Boys network? “It’s not what you know but whom you know…” Actual term. The elitism of powerful men who do what they want to get what they want as they circle their wagons. The predators and their pals both fit the description. All doing what they want to get what they want.
White washed tombs? Matthew 23.27, to quote Jesus: “outwardly magnificent but inwardly full of corpses’ bones and every kind of filth.”
Polite Society is not honest. It’s what Jesus faced, and that Good Old Boy network of dudebros that are actually whitewashed tombs full of filth, executed our Lord.
Perhaps you understand neither the sentiment nor the vernacular nor Jesus. This is neither snark nor Polite Society. It’s evil. Those violated do understand. Eventually even Jesus was violated. God gets it. He’s been there.
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Ava Aaronson,
While I am not wanting to “get in a fight over this”, a point Jes might be making is that both Jes and Ava are CORRECT. This stuff discussed on TWW is, IMHO, as bad as it can get… (Especially with all the “SPIRTUAL” overtones). In a court of law, things are very formal, for a number of reasons, not the least of which the court can be dealing with the upmost of serious “stuff” which deserves “serious” considerations.
On the other hand TWW is “not a court of law”, and honesty and bluntness is needed. Maybe instead of call them “good old boy” we should call them “aledged crimial conspirators” — which is what they are. Now the FBI is charging them as such.
I, for one, have used the word “clown” to lessen a charge that I am “nasty comments”… My intinct is to use “not so nice” terms for these people.
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Jes,
I suggest you read some of Luther’s works. Start here:
https://ergofabulous.org/luther/?
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So this morning I am thanking the Lord for the Wayback Machine. The holder of truth, the whole truth. Much like these pastors, I have a relative who tells you the part of the story she wants you to know, not the whole truth. I mean, after all, leaving the thinking to us, people.
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I don’t think Nate was ever paid staff though, was he? That’s what I remembered hearing. Leading a ministry of 20 sounds like a volunteer role. So until the LaGrange thing, that statement was true unless Nate was ever considered a “pastor or staff”.
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JJallday,
Amen
“Information management”, or “alternate fact”, or “putting positive spin” has become standard fair…
And it seems “the Church”, in its many flavors, is quite good it…
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Just for the record, my huge Siamese cat’s nick- name is Dudebro. He has all the signs- poor work ethic, entitled, must be catered to at all times.
Sovereign Grace can manipulate their web page all they want, but they can’t undo Nathaniel Morales. People need to check their facts more, and so much is available nowadays on the internet. I routinely check places I do business with, for example, and it saved me from one unscrupulous contractor.
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That’s what Sovereign Grace would like you to believe. But the documentation in this article was provided to me by Brent Detwiler and it shows in their newsletter that Morales was overseeing their International Student Ministry. Then in the 2014 report by Lars Leibeler he found that Morales was on the Sovereign Grace payroll for 9 months in 1988. I haven’t done the research to attempt to find out why Morales was only employed 9 months, but if I had to guess I would say he was probably caught molesting boys.
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Hilarious!
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Todd Wilhelm,
I personally appreciate the banter on TWW. Being a teacher, we may describe difficult situations in funny terms just to let some steam off. Obviously, we don’t share our humor during parent conferences!
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Good Gawd, how did chuckles Mahaney get on the marqee?
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#metoo
I utilized their site constantly. I even send them money now and then because I use them so frequently.
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Thanks, Linn, and further up the line, Ava.
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I cannot get the phrase “Admirals in row boats” out of my head. It’s so apt for these people. Self-congratulatory, deceptive, cultish, officious nincompoops. Their desire for adulation is only exceeded by their hope for absolute unaccountable, lazy careers commenting on comments. A pox on all their houses.
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Al Mohler’s wife called Mahaney, Devers & Duncan “Al’s Little Playgroup” … others called them the “Fab Four” … still others have used “Theodudes” to label these characters. It’s such a game they are playing in New Calvinism, it just seems that some of these titles are so fitting. After all, the Bible says that we should give respect to whom respect is due.
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Well, if “whitewashed tombs full of corpses and filth” works for Jesus, works for me, too. Matt. 23.27.
One can forget myself and anyone else commenting, and go with Jesus on this.
More from Jesus:
Matt. 23.15 children of hell
More terms Jesus used for the wayward leaders of His day:
Hypocrites
Blind guides
Fools
Serpents
Offspring of vipers.
So, “dudebros” and “Good Ole Boys” can be added to Jesus’ list. No snark. Just stark refreshing honesty.
Psalm 2 adds the snark of God, as He laughs at wayward pompous leaders. God has the right to snarkiness.
Those violated by predators and their supportive pals, have no need for the formality of a Court of law. They tell it like it is, and name predators + predator supporters for who they are. It’s really that simple.
One doesn’t have to believe or accept the testimony of the witnesses (victims, survivors, their families). But criticizing the vernacular of Jesus regarding predators? Just admit you don’t think these leaders are predators, and like the mob of Jesus’ day, then support Barabbas.
There’s no middle ground on predators and the witnesses who have suffered as prey.
Our Courts are imperfect at best, and don’t always get it right, like the mob who chose Barabbas but executed Jesus. We can do better, if we so choose.
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Believer,
Covering for sexual abuse of kids I would think is below traditional organize crime.. lets all hope the FBI can bring cases against more of them..
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Ava Aaronson,
One day there will be a reckoning.
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Muff Potter,
I wish I could help the FBI along…. ANY covering for “preachers” abusing kids is about as low as it can be…
And just think Page Paterson, not only abused boys, but was one the major leaders of SBS….and the whole “conservative resurgence” covered for him…
As I mentioned above, I try to watch my language, hence I use my real name, but talk to me individually and you will really hear what I think…
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Jeffrey Chalmers,
Law enforcement is getting over its sqeamishness in going after high-profile protestant kiddie molesters.
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Muff Potter,
Muff Potter,
should be ‘squeamishness’
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Jeffrey, I admire your comments. I certainly agree with you. In fact, child molesters routinely fare the worst in prison, often being killed by other inmates. Which proves the point, I guess, that even convicts have higher standards than child molesters, protected by many in Big Eva.
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I think you mean Paul Pressler here … Paige Patterson was Judge Pressler’s bud and co-architect of SBC’s Conservative (aka Calvinist) Resurgence … Patterson has not been accused of abusing boys, but most likely knew that Pressler did.
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Remember when Chuckles ended one of his Celebrity appearances by handing the host Pastor a big check with the words “And this is how you get invited back!”?
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Which proves the point that convicts have higher standards than the Christians.
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“I’m a Cat. It’s in my contract.”
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Max,
Yes
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According to Cat & Dog Theology author Bob Sjogren, the difference between cats and dogs comes from who they see as most important. Dogs say, “You feed me, take care of me, and protect me… you must be God,” while cats say, “You feed me [etc.]… I must be God.”
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Jeffrey Chalmers,
“I try to watch my language, hence I use my real name, but talk to me individually and you will really hear what I think…”
++++++++++++++++
i imagine something like Helen Hunt/Carol’s description of HMOs in ‘As Good As It Gets’.
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Hi, Dee! What do you think of the letter by Mohler? I wish Mark Booker at Park Street Church would be so specific and apologize… but I can’t tell if Mohler is blame-shifting or not. I haven’t read all the comments yet, but wanted to see what you think when you have a moment. Thanks in advance!!
Statement from R. Albert Mohler Jr. on Sovereign Grace Churches
February 15, 2019
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Scott,
My understanding was that he was paid staff for a short time. Perhaps someone else can confirm?
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As I stated in the article and in reply to Scott’s questioning as to whether Morales was a paid staff member, the answer is yes. I provided documentation that shows in the April 1988 newsletter that Morales was in charge of the International Student Ministry and he was also on the payroll for 9 months – from July 1987-April 1988.