The Fall of Steven Lawson: A Reformed Icon's
Moral Collapse

On January 17, 2025, the evangelical world was rocked by news that Dr. Steven J. Lawson—one of Reformed theology's most celebrated preachers—had been removed from ministry due to an extramarital affair. The revelation sent shockwaves through conservative Reformed circles, where Lawson had been revered as a paragon of doctrinal purity and expository preaching.

But this wasn't just another pastoral scandal. Lawson's fall exposed deep fractures in Reformed celebrity culture, raised troubling questions about theological accountability, and ignited fierce debate about whether Calvinist doctrine itself creates conditions for moral failure among its most prominent advocates.

The Scandal Unfolds

Trinity Bible Church of Dallas announced Lawson's removal in a terse statement that provided few details but confirmed the affair. OnePassion Ministries, Lawson's teaching organization, followed with its own statement. Ligonier Ministries, where Lawson served as a teaching fellow, swiftly removed him from all platforms.

The speed and coordination of these actions suggested the affair had been ongoing and known to leadership for some time before becoming public. Questions immediately arose: How long had this been happening? Who knew? And why was the response so carefully orchestrated?

Who Is Steven Lawson?

To understand the magnitude of this scandal, one must understand Lawson's stature in Reformed circles. He wasn't just another pastor—he was a theological celebrity, a fixture at major conferences, and a prolific author whose books on expository preaching were considered essential reading.

• Teaching Fellow at Ligonier Ministries: Lawson was part of R.C. Sproul's inner circle, regularly featured on Ligonier's platforms.
• Founder of OnePassion Ministries: His teaching organization reached thousands through conferences and online resources.
• Professor at The Master's Seminary: Lawson trained future pastors at John MacArthur's seminary.
• Conference Speaker: A regular at Shepherd's Conference, Together for the Gospel, and other major Reformed events.
• Prolific Author: His books on preaching, including "Famine in the Land" and "The Moment of Truth," were widely influential.

Lawson's preaching style was marked by passionate delivery, meticulous exposition, and unwavering commitment to Reformed doctrine. He was known for his emphasis on God's sovereignty, the doctrines of grace, and the supremacy of Scripture. His sermons often featured stern warnings about doctrinal compromise and moral laxity.

The irony was not lost on observers: the man who had preached so forcefully about holiness and doctrinal purity had himself fallen into the very moral compromise he condemned from the pulpit.

The Theological Dimension: Does Calvinism Create Conditions for Failure?

Lawson's fall has reignited long-standing debates about whether Reformed theology—particularly its emphasis on unconditional election and irresistible grace—creates psychological and spiritual conditions that make moral failure more likely among its leaders.

Critics like Leighton Flowers have long argued that Calvinist doctrine fosters a dangerous sense of spiritual elitism and invulnerability among the "elect." In his podcast series analyzing the Lawson case¹, Flowers examines how the doctrine of perseverance of the saints can create a false sense of security.

Flowers points to a pattern: many of the most prominent Reformed leaders who have fallen into scandal—Mark Driscoll, C.J. Mahaney, James MacDonald, and now Steven Lawson—shared not just Reformed theology but a particular brand of aggressive, authoritarian leadership that Flowers argues is endemic to Calvinist culture.

"The doctrine of unconditional election can foster a sense of spiritual superiority," Flowers argues in his analysis of Reformed leadership failures³. "When you believe God chose you not because of anything you did but purely by His sovereign will, it's easy to develop an inflated sense of your own importance and a diminished sense of accountability to others."

The "Arrogance Problem" in Reformed Circles

Even defenders of Reformed theology have acknowledged what some call the "arrogance problem" within Calvinist circles. John Piper, himself a prominent Calvinist, has warned about "arrogant Calvinists" who wield doctrine as a weapon rather than a means of grace⁴.

Flowers has documented this pattern extensively in his podcast series. He points to the way Reformed leaders often speak with absolute certainty about complex theological matters, dismissing alternative interpretations as not just wrong but spiritually deficient.

This theological certainty, critics argue, creates a culture where leaders are insulated from accountability. If you're convinced you're teaching God's truth with absolute fidelity, criticism can be dismissed as spiritual rebellion rather than legitimate concern.

The Problem of "Irresistible Grace"

Another theological issue Flowers raises in his analysis of the Lawson case is the doctrine of irresistible grace—the belief that God's saving grace cannot be resisted by those He has chosen to save.

"If grace is truly irresistible," Flowers asks in a recent YouTube video analyzing Reformed leadership failures⁶, "what role does human choice and moral effort play in the Christian life? If God's grace will inevitably bring the elect to final salvation regardless of their choices, where is the urgency for holiness?"

Flowers is careful to note that not all Calvinists fall into this trap, and that many Reformed Christians maintain robust moral accountability. But he argues that the theological framework creates vulnerabilities that other traditions don't face.

A Broader Pattern of Reformed Leadership Failures

Lawson's fall is not an isolated incident. In recent years, a disturbing pattern has emerged of high-profile Reformed leaders falling into scandal:

• Mark Driscoll: Forced to resign from Mars Hill Church amid allegations of bullying, plagiarism, and financial misconduct.
• C.J. Mahaney: Accused of covering up sexual abuse within Sovereign Grace Churches.
• James MacDonald: Removed from Harvest Bible Chapel for financial impropriety and abusive leadership.
• Joshua Harris: Author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," later renounced his faith, citing the toxic culture of Reformed evangelicalism.
• Tullian Tchividjian: R.C. Sproul's grandson, removed from ministry for multiple affairs.

What these cases share is not just Reformed theology but a particular culture: celebrity pastors, authoritarian leadership structures, and institutions that prioritize protecting their brand over protecting victims.

Roger Olson, a prominent Arminian theologian, has written extensively about what he calls "Calvinist fatalism"—the tendency of Reformed theology to diminish human agency and moral responsibility⁸. While Olson is careful not to blame all Reformed leaders for the failures of some, he argues that the theological system creates vulnerabilities.

The Celebrity Pastor Problem

Beyond theology, Lawson's fall highlights the dangers of celebrity pastor culture. Lawson wasn't just a local church pastor—he was a brand, a conference circuit regular, a publishing phenomenon. His face was on book covers, his sermons were downloaded millions of times, and his endorsement could make or break a ministry.

This celebrity status created layers of insulation from accountability. When you're the draw at major conferences, when your books generate significant revenue, when your name is synonymous with a theological movement, who has the authority or courage to confront you?

Scot McKnight, a New Testament scholar, has written about the "celebrity pastor industrial complex" that dominates American evangelicalism¹⁰. He argues that the conference circuit, publishing industry, and social media have created a class of pastoral celebrities who operate with minimal accountability.

The Institutional Response: Too Little, Too Late?

The swift removal of Lawson from ministry positions was appropriate, but it raised questions about what took so long. If the affair had been ongoing, why wasn't it addressed sooner? Who knew, and when did they know?

Trinity Bible Church's statement was notably brief, providing minimal details about the timeline or scope of the affair. OnePassion Ministries' response was similarly vague. Ligonier Ministries acted quickly to remove Lawson from their platforms but offered no explanation of their internal processes or what accountability measures had been in place.

This lack of transparency is typical of evangelical institutional responses to scandal. The focus is on damage control—removing the offending leader, issuing carefully worded statements, and moving on as quickly as possible—rather than on systemic examination of what allowed the failure to occur.

What Needs to Change

The Lawson scandal should prompt serious reflection within Reformed circles and evangelical Christianity more broadly. Several changes are urgently needed:

Conclusion: A Reckoning Long Overdue

Steven Lawson's fall is a tragedy on multiple levels. It's a personal tragedy for Lawson and his family. It's a betrayal of the congregations and students he served. It's a wound to the broader body of Christ.

But it's also an opportunity—an opportunity for Reformed evangelicalism to engage in honest self-examination, to acknowledge systemic problems, and to implement meaningful reforms.

The question is whether Reformed leaders will seize this opportunity or simply move on to the next conference, the next book, the next celebrity pastor. The answer will determine whether Lawson's fall becomes a catalyst for change or just another scandal in a long, tragic pattern.