At one time Steven J. Lawson was one of my favourite preachers, I would still argue that the second best sermon I have ever heard preached in person was from Steven Lawson. However over time I grew to appreciate him less and less, like Justin Peters, he seemed ever read to condemn a fallen brother, or even to condemn a perceived error in another. Around this time three years ago I heard him at Ligonier London and heard bullets aimed at people confused about gender with no tenderness. I may not have noticed but he was followed by Sinclair Ferguson who said this, "In a world that seems to be confused about identity we have no need to be confused about our identity for our identity is in Christ." A different heart, I noticed that Steven Lawson, along with Justin Peters were first out the stiles to condemn Alistair Begg, when Alistair Begg advised a granny to go to her grandchild's gay wedding, because the grandchild knew where granny stood and Begg advised take a gift and make it a Bible. First out the stiles, ready to throw the first stone.
This was even more alarming when I realised, as Steven Lawson was exposed for his sin, that he was first out even when his sinful relationship was going on, that is hypocrisy.
I perversely wanted to read this book, I was never interested in reading Peter Mandleson's Third Man until he was exposed, I ordered it the next day. I ordered it as soon as I knew it existed, I saw that Justin Peter's was there again ready to condemn, he was the number 1 review on amazon.com, despite having not read it.
I have read it, it says there will be no excuses, there are several, the main one being, I was too busy ministering to have a relationship with God. Our job is first to let the word minister to us, I take this as a warning to myself but I did find it to be an excuse and a poor one.
Another worry I have about the book is that the book came about because he was invited to speak on his fall, on several occasions at his old church in Mobile, Alabama. He should not be giving talks, he also sits in the elders prayer meetings at the church he attends, I am not sure this is wise, this is not because he is a sinner who is repentant but because he is Steven Lawson.
My main thing however is encouragement, in chapter 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry Preacher' he recognises his lack of mercy and compassion. 'I had become a high justice, low mercy' preacher. God has humbled him and he recognises this weakness. It is easy I think to fall into this when we preach to the crowd, to the choir. It is why we need to be among our people as a fellow sinner, pointing away from ourselves and to the Saviour. It is also why we need to be outward looking moving among the lost to point them to a Saviour who saves.
As well as the Justin Peter's review I have seen an article from Evangelical Times condemning Lawson for writing it, without reading it again. I am not sure he should have written it, I am glad to have read it. It is my hope that he stays away from the pulpit or the lectern and enjoys his retirement, is active in his local church, reconciled with God, with his wife and with his friends.
It is also my prayer that the reformed community would also learn not to be, 'High bar justice and low mercy' in our dealing with others.
Shalom
Stephen <><
