Bishop Eddie Long Ends Lawsuit
May 30, 2011 by Admin
Filed under Church, Leaders, Ministry Today
Bishop Eddie Long’s Settlement has the country once again talking non-stop about this Atlanta minister.
After it was reported that the case might go to court this summer, in the following days, news came that the case had indeed been settled OUT of court. The local news has speculated that the Bishop had paid millions of dollars to make this case go away.
Another source stated that there were “obviously details of his relationship with the young men that Bishop Long didn’t want to be ‘aired’ in public.”
What do you think? Should Bishop Long have settled? As Christians, how do you see this in alignment with Scripture? What will it take for a ministry as “traumatized” as New Birth to thrive again? Think about it…blog about it!
Additionally, he never even said these simple words: I HAVE NEVER ENGAGED IN SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH MEN.”
Now how hard is that and why would you need an attorney to “clear” a statement that leaves no room for doubt? The “parsing” of words from Eddie Long: I’m not perfect.” “I am not that man” is not the same as clearly stating: “I don’t have sex with men!” “I have sex with my Wife!”
In response to Roland Martin
In Roland comments he writes Twelve times “Iâ€. His comment is not about the pleasing God and submitting to his authority, or love and concern for the body of Christ and his church. No; Roland is concerned about himself “Iâ€. He has placed himself in the position of judging (pre-judging) a situation he knows nothing about. His misinterpretation of forgiveness is unfortunate. He claims “I know all about forgiveness†“But I am not to forgive foolishlyâ€. What scripture and verse did you get that Roland?
Why wouldn’t you forgive Roland, God forgave you for your foolishness when you cruised on Tom Joyner’s so called “party with a purposeâ€. That cruse is nothing but drunkenness and partying all night. Then on Sunday they decide to have a gospel concert.
YOU SAY QUOTE:
1. I remember vividly hearing Long for the first time in June 1999 and loving the sermon, “A Fresh Anointing for Change.
2. ” I quoted it on many occasions.
3. When I worked on a television project in 2000,
4. I attended Long’s New Birth Missionary Baptist Church for three months, regularly attending services and tithing to his ministry.
5. When I served as news editor at Savoy Magazine
6. Last year, my wife and I spoke at a National Black Marriage Summit at Hampton University
7. I’ve often watched his worship services on the Trinity Broadcasting Network
8. Lastly, I’ve discussed his efforts to reach out specifically to black men to get them involved in the church, even writing about it in an essay in my book, “Listening to the Spirit Within: 50 Perspectives on Faith.”
9. I don’t see how any pastor could participate in a conference with Long on the rostrum. I don’t see how any gospel musician could go to his church and stand in the pulpit with him to sell their CDs. As a churchgoing man, there is no way I could sit under the spiritual leadership of any pastor who was unwilling to stand before his congregation and address the issue head on.
10. I know all about forgiveness.
11. But I am not to forgive foolishly.
12. If Long wants forgiveness, he needs to be open in discussing what really happened — or didn’t happen — with those young men and allow all of us to decide for ourselves whether we are willing to grant it.
13. John 8:32 records in the Bible that Jesus told his disciples, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
Roland, what point did God anoint you as judge and jury? What make you think Bishop long owes you an explanation? Do you think that the†three months, regularly attending services and tithing to his ministryâ€. Gives you the right to be God?
Church is well organized and can handle Bishop Long if it is required. There are elders that Bishop Long is accountable too. Apparently you believe it is your duty to not only Judge Bishop Long but anyone else that stands with Bishop Long.
You go on to quote a scripture John 8:32 as if you now have the support of God for your position. The verse and scripture have little to do with the issue Bishop Long is accused of, or Bishops choice as how to respond. By your own admission you admit Bishop long preached the truth. I’m sure you wouldn’t stay for a whole three Month if he weren’t preaching the truth.
Let’s tell the truth Roland; this issue you, as well as many others have with Bishop Long has more to do with his stand against homosexuality than anything else. If the Bishop was R-KELLY, you and Tom Joyner both would be first in line getting tickets to his concert.
If you want to “expose darkness with light†why don’t you take a biblical stand against homosexuality?
Let me make a suggestion to you Roland. Instead of identifying yourself as “a church going man†try becoming a blood bought born again believer in The Lord Jesus Christ. Try looking at your own sin and receive the blood atonement through Jesus the Christ.
If we spend time looking at ourselves we have very little time judging someone else’s motives.
Rom 5:20 Where sin abounds Grace did much more aboundâ€.
Do your part as a”man of God” and pray for those in authority! Let GOD be GOD and He “Will” take care of this situation. The ways of GOD surpass all of our understanding and His timing is certainly not ours.
What disturbs me most is his statement “I am not a perfect man” and his inability to outright deny the accusations.
I certainly believe that damage has been done to New Birth, but the Words says “upon this Rock I have built MY church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” I am simply enough to believe that if God said it, then it is so and I believe that in God’s time, he will rebuild and restore.
As Christian sisters and brothers, our duty is to pray for Bishop Long and the First Lady, New Birth and even those who may have been hurt, detered, or turned away and now has a sour taste in their mouth for God and the church because the last time I checked, we have ALL fallen short of the glory of God.
Ultimately what I think or feel doesn’t matter. What matters is that souls are saved and God is glorified!
Amen Brother Robert Horton!!!!! Enough Said.