It’s been a bad weekend for Tim Keller’s prodigies. On Friday, we reported that Joshua Butler, after being ousted from the Keller Center, was made to resign from his church for an article he wrote for The Gospel Coalition which angered feminists. Yesterday, it was announced that Pastor Scott Sauls would be placed on an indefinite leave of absence by his church over patterns of abusive leadership.
Scott Sauls is the Tim Keller of Tennessee. Prior to pastoring at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, he served as a pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC.
Revoice
In September, Evangelical Dark Web published a report on Scott Sauls being a driving force promoting Revoice in the Presbyterian Church in America. Around the same time, Scott Sauls was exposed for his words on a podcast that praised homosexual “marriages.”
Is your heterosexual marriage as committed as some some gay marriages? Some gay marriages are deeply committed, as out of step with scripture as they are. Your marriage commitment needs to be at least on the same level…to have some sort of credibility.
During the buildup to the 2019 PCA General Assembly, Scott Sauls endorsed the Revoice Conference, which began in 2018. In June 2019, Sauls wrote:
When I first announced my appreciation for Revoice’s core message as stated above, I experienced a backlash from a few folks that I did not expect. To be fair, some of the backlash was warranted because of a seminar title that appeared later on their website that was provocative, potentially misleading, and in many ways unhelpful. To Revoice’s credit, they humbly listened to their critics (including me) and have since become more careful with their words. They have also since released a detailed doctrinal statement, a statement on sexual ethics and Christian obedience, and a statement on public posture and Christian witness.
It’s worth noting that a minimum issue with the Revoice statement on sexual ethics and Christian obedience allows for the label of “gay Christian.”
Placed On Leave
Religion News Service broke the story announcing Scott Sauls’ suspension.
In a video message to the congregation, Sauls apologized for an unhealthy leadership style that harmed the people who worked for him and the church.
“I verbalized insensitive and verbal criticism of others’ work,” he said, according to a recording of the meeting shared with Religion News Service. “I’ve used social media and the pulpit to quiet dissenting viewpoints. I’ve manipulated facts to support paths that I desire.”
Sauls made clear he had not been involved in any sexual sin or substance abuse. He said that he would seek counseling and repentance during his leave and that he hoped to someday reconcile with the people he had harmed.
“I am grieved to say that I have hurt people,” he said. “I want to say to all of you that I am sorry.”
As Scott Sauls is overseen by a Presbytery, they will ultimately have oversight of the discipline and investigation process.
Scott Sauls vs the PCA
There’s no indication that the cause of Sauls’ admitted underhanded leadership tactics are related to his push for Side B theology in the church. As he is arguably the largest voice promoting Side B theology left in the PCA, Sauls could have a target on his back, in which case, this could be his undoing in the PCA.
The leave comes after an investigation by Christ Presbyterian itself and by the Nashville Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church in America. That investigation was prompted by a letter sent from a number of former Christ Presbyterian staffers who raised concerns about Sauls’ conduct as a leader.
During Sunday’s Christ Presbyterian meeting, members also heard from the church’s elders, who said they hoped the leave would to healing and reconciliation. The elders also admitted their own shortcomings in allowing an unhealthy culture on the church’s staff.
This is a developing story.
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