Dr. Ed Litton was elected President of the Southern Baptist Convention during a second vote on June 15, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Here are the official results.
First ballot.
Election results
15,678 messengers were registered
14,300 cast ballots
Mohler: 3,764 - 26.32%
Stone: 5,216 - 36.48%
Litton: 4,630 - 32.38%
Adams: 673 - 4.71%
17 ballots disallowed
Stone and Litton will go to a runoff.
There needed to be a run off between Mike Stone and Ed Litton because neither reached the required 50 percent threshold. A second ballot was taken. Two hours later the results were in.
Presidential Election results
13,131 votes cast
Stone - 6,278
Litton - 6,834
Ed Litton Elected SBC President
I thought Al Mohler would win the presidency but he came in third. By a 2 to 1 ratio his supporters voted for Litton on the second ballot. That put Litton on top. The men exchanged pleasantries.
Albert Mohler
@albertmohler
The Southern Baptist Convention has a new president, @EdLitton, who now fully deserves our prayer and encouragement. If I can ever help, I am a phone call away. #SBC2021 #SBC21
4:56 PM · Jun 15, 2021
Ed Litton
@EdLitton
@albertmohler is a trusted transformational leader in the SBC and the greater kingdom of our Lord. We had a gracious conversation following the election. He generously offered his support. I am grateful for his genuine servant’s heart.
4:30 AM · Jun 16, 2021
Others weighed in like Robert Downen of the Houston Chronicle, Rachael Denhollander, and Phillip Bethancourt of the ERLC.
Robert Downen
@RobDownenChron
Replying to @RobDownenChron and @ThigpenTiffany.
@R_Denhollander: “Ed Litton’s character and positions give me hope that significant positive change is possible for the denomination. I sincerely hope to see strong leadership in addressing corruption and abuse in the year to come” #SBC21 #SBC2021 #SBC #SBCtoo
4:58 PM · Jun 15, 2021
Phillip Bethancourt
@pbethancourt
Congrats to @EdLitton who was just elected SBC president! There are bright days ahead as we unify around our gospel mission! #SBC21
4:52 PM· Jun 15, 2021
I was encouraged by these affirmations.
Thirteen days later, I read an article by the Baptist Press entitled, “Litton, Greear say Litton had permission to borrow from sermon.” After reading it, I wrote Ed in private.
That was June 29. I have been appealing to Ed, his pastors, and the SBC Executive Committee since then in hopes he would repent. That has not happened. Here is the story. I share it with a redemptive motive. I hope godly change comes about as a result.
SECTION ONE: APPEALS TO ED LITTON & HIS PASTORAL STAFF
From: Brent Detwiler abrentdetwiler@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2021 6:19 PM
To: Ed Litton pastored@goredemption.com
Cc: Scott White scottw@goredemption.com; Bobby Shirley bobbys@goredemption.com; Billy Graham billyg@goredemption.com; Taylor Anderson taylora@goredemption.com; Cliff Downey cliffd@goredemption.com; Christopher Reed chrisr@goredemption.com; Seth Maggio sethm@goredemption.com; Daniel Owen danielo@goredemption.com
Subject: RE: Question to Consider - Why Didn’t You Credit J.D.?
Hello Ed,
I am praying most earnestly for your good which is conforming to Christ as it is for me.
I’ve written you twice before. The first was a month ago. I received no response.
From: Brent Detwiler abrentdetwiler@gmail.com
Sent: Monday, June 28, 2021 5:13 PM
To: Ed Litton pastored@goredemption.com
Subject: Question to Consider - Why Didn’t You Credit J.D.?
This is a friendly note for your consideration.
Litton, Greear say Litton had permission to borrow from sermon | Baptist Press
By Scott Barkley, posted June 28, 2021 in SBC News
Without attribution you deceived Redemption into believing those parts of your sermons were original when in reality they originated with J.D. and were used verbatim. That led the church to mistakenly think highly of your insights when they came from another. That’s my greatest concern. I think your confession needs to be more specific and I am concerned this was a pattern with the removal of all your sermons. I hope I am wrong.
The question you must answer is why didn’t you credit J.D.? It doesn’t matter that you had permission to use his material.
I’d submit when we fail to credit others it is because we want to get the credit they deserve. For example, we want to impress as a preacher. We see this type of thing in the sin of Ananias and Sapphira. They wanted the apostles to think more highly of themselves than they deserved.
I genuinely want you to succeed and prosper. I rejoice in your election and I pray for you daily. I will soon be writing you about the matter of sexual abuse pertaining to C.J. Mahaney and Sovereign Grace Church of Louisville.
The Lord strengthen you with grace.
Brent
I wrote you again on Saturday and copied the pastors. I asked for response by today but received none.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2021 3:54 PM
To: Ed Litton
Cc: Scott White; Bobby Shirley; Billy Graham; Taylor Anderson; Cliff Downey; Christopher Reed; Seth Maggio; Daniel Owen
Subject: RE: Question to Consider - Why Didn’t You Credit J.D.?
Importance: High
Hello Ed,
I wrote you the end of June concerning why you didn’t credit J.D. That question has still not been answered. For example in your July 2 interview with Jonathan [Howe]. I’ve been hoping for positive developments but there have been none in the public domain.
Therefore, I’d like to request a response to my observations about your deceitfulness and the need for a specific confession. In this regard, I’d appreciate a response by next Tuesday. Thank you.
I have copied the pastors.
God‘s grace to you in abundance.
Brent
I write a third time as a brother in Christ hoping for your repentance. Here is my appeal.
I’ve gone through the videos appearing online that document your use of seven messages by J.D. and one message by Tim Keller without any attribution. They evidence the seriousness of your sin. They follow below.
Example 1: Romans 1
Litton and Greear: Borrowing or Plagiarism? - YouTube
Posted June 21, 2021
6:58 mins.
How the Fall Affects Us All: Romans 1:24-32
J.D. Greear
Jan. 27, 2019
Born to Be Wild: Romans 1:18-32
Ed Litton
Jan. 27, 2020
##
Example 2: Romans 8
Litton and Greear Romans 8:1-11 sermon borrowing - YouTube
Posted June 28, 2021
15:23 mins.
Freedom: The Greatest Chapter in the Bible – Part 1: Roman 8:1-11
J.D. Greear
May 26, 2019
The Greatest Chapter in the Bible: Romans 8:1-11
Ed Litton
May 03, 2020
##
Example 3: Romans 13
Ed Litton plagiarizes yet another Romans sermon from JD Greear - YouTube
Posted 29, 2021
13:27 mins.
Not My Kingdom: Romans 13:1-14
J.D. Greear
Dec. 8, 2019
We the People: Romans 13
Ed Litton
Sep. 20, 2020
##
Example 4: Romans 14
Southern Baptist President Plagiarizes Romans 14 Sermon in Endless Sermongate Scandal - YouTube
Posted June 29, 2021
6:50 mins.
Unity > Uniformity: Romans 14:1-15:13
J.D. Greear
Jan. 5, 2020
The Good Fight: Romans 14:1-9
Ed Litton
Oct. 11, 2020
##
Example 5: Romans 7
Greear cites, Litton doesn’t (Romans 7) - YouTube
Posted July 1, 2021
2:02 mins.
The Life-Long Struggle: Romans 7:1-25
J.D. Greear
May 5, 2019
The Struggle: Romans 7:1-25
Ed Litton
Apr. 26, 2020
##
Example 6: Romans 12
Ed Litton Plagiarizes JD Greear's Sermon on Romans 12 - YouTube
Posted July 2, 2021
17:38 mins.
Loving Your Friends: Roman 12:9-13
J.D. Greear
Oct. 14, 2019
Doctors, My Eyes: Romans 12:9-13
Ed Litton
Sep. 6, 2020
##
Example 7: Acts 4
Ed Litton Plagiarizes JD Greear as far back as 2013 - YouTube
Posted July 3, 2021
7:49 mins.
The Inclusive Exclusivity: Acts 4:1-21
J.D. Greear
Oct. 6, 2013
The Most Inclusive Exclusivity: Acts 4:1-21
Ed Litton
Oct. 25, 2015
##
Example 8: Marriage
Ed Litton plagiarized Tim Keller sermon on marriage - YouTube
Posted July 12, 2021
7:14 mins
Marriage as a Commitment and Priority
Tim Keller
Sep. 1, 1991
The Priority of Marriage
Ed & Kathy Litton
May 2012
Here are my takeaways.
First, your use of J.D.’s material was extensive. You used his message titles, subheadings, sermon outlines, introductions, prayers, illustrations, jokes, quotes, actual words, thoughts, doctrine, and application points – all without attribution.
Second, though you had permission to “borrow” his material, you had an obligation to inform Redemption Church the material was not your own.
Third, your use of J.D.’s material goes back to at least October 25, 2015. You stole his material unless you had permission to use it six years ago. This is evidence of long term plagiarism.
Fourth, you took Tim Keller’s material and presented it verbatim as your own. This involved your wife, Kathy. That was nine years ago. This too is evidence of long term plagiarism of an extensive nature.
The Romans 1 clip was posted on June 21 by Gabriel Hughes. He is an associate pastor with Tom Buck at First Baptist Church in Lindale, TX.
Gabriel Hughes
@Pastor_Gabe
Twice in a row, the Southern Baptist Convention has elected a president who teaches that the Bible “whispers” about sexual sin. Wouldn’t you think that appointing leaders who preach that the Bible “whispers” about sexual sin is the wrong way to fight sex abuse?
https://twitter.com/i/status/1407138525867393024
5:49 PM · Jun 21, 2021
It quickly went viral on the internet. Questions immediately arose. In response you made this statement five days later on June 26 on your church’s website. I’ve added underlining and notes and broken it down into sections.
Redemption Church
A place to belong
Pastor’s Statement
by Ed Litton
June 26, 2021
Yesterday, some questions arose about a sermon I delivered in January 2020 on Romans 1, addressing the sin of homosexuality. Specifically, there were concerns about similarities with a sermon delivered by J.D. Greear a year earlier.
Note: This was disingenuous. People weren’t concerned about similarities. They were concerned about the verbatim use of extensive material in the message. They were also concerned for J.D.’s doctrine.
##
Like thousands of other Southern Baptist pastors, I labor every week, preparing to stand in front of the congregation God has called me to serve. In preparation for our series on Romans, I used several resources to help me think through how to structure the series and how best to communicate the profound truths we encounter in these passages.
Note: This too is disingenuous. You did far more than use J.D. as a “resource” to help you “think through” the structure of Romans and how to communicate its truths.
##
We employ a preaching team approach at Redemption Church that is comprised of eight men from our staff/congregation who meet weekly to discuss study insights, outlines, and approaches to the text. This sermon prep process includes working in the languages, consulting commentaries and books, and listening to strong communicators. In that process, I learned about my friend J.D. Greear’s messages on Romans and discovered what he had recently preached resonated with the direction God was leading me and our preaching team. We often consulted his manuscripts along with other resources as we prepared.
Note: Your use of material without attribution was known to your “preaching team.” They aided and abetted you. They should have corrected and stopped you. For a third time you are being dishonest. You did far more than consult his manuscripts. You used them verbatim and at length.
##
I found that J.D. Greear’s message on Romans 1 was insightful, particularly his three points of application. With his permission, I borrowed some of his insights and those three closing points. The story of Paul David Tripp was from his devotional New Morning Mercies on January 22nd. His story took place in India.
Note: For a fourth time you mislead your readers. You did not just borrow “some of his insights” or the “three closing points.” No, you read from his manuscript and again at length. What you did was far more serious than you reveal.
##
Our team also, with his permission, used The Summit Church’s chapter and verse breakdown of Romans as we mapped out our entire series. Out of a commitment to full transparency, I have gone back through all the 46 sermons in this series. I have located in some places similar illustrations, quotes or points of application. One shares the same title, and one has a similar outline.
Note: You claim “a commitment to full transparency” but that is clearly not the case. You used exact not “similar illustrations, quotes or points of application” throughout the series on Romans. This was the time to tell people the truth. Instead, you covered up the truth about your long history of using sermon material from others without attribution.
##
I hold to the same study process on each sermon. As any pastor who preaches regularly knows, we often rely on scholars and fellow pastors to help us think and communicate more clearly with the goal of faithfully preaching the truths of Scripture to our congregations. But I am sorry for not mentioning J.D.’s generosity and ownership of these points. I should have given him credit as I shared these insights.
Note: You do not acknowledge any sin. You do not ask forgiveness of the church. You do not explain why you didn’t give him credit.
##
I felt it important to address this in order to provide the truth and to take responsibility for places where I should have been more careful.
Note: This is deceptive. You pretend to be honest but you did not “provide the truth” and you did not “take responsibility.” You turned it into an issue of being “more careful.” That is morally neutral language. What you did was intentional. You knowingly took material from J.D. and presented it as your own.
##
I am committed to being a man of integrity and humility. I will not waver from that as I lead Redemption Church to be Christ followers and the SBC to unite around her mission.
Note: If you are “committed to being a man of integrity and humility” you will come clean regarding your history of stealing (i.e., plagiarism) and borrowing without attribution.
The same day you put out your statement, J.D. put out a statement. Here is the relevant excerpt.
A Statement about My Sermon on Romans 1
JUNE 26, 2021
BY J.D. GREEAR
In January of 2019 I preached a message called “How the Fall Affects Us All: Romans 1:24–32” on Paul’s explanation of the effects of the fall on us all, particularly in the realm of social and sexual disorder. …
Several months later, Pastor Ed Litton reached out and told me that he had really appreciated my take on Paul’s warnings in that chapter and asked if he could use some of the content with his congregation, as well as how we had broken down our entire series on Romans at The Summit Church. I told him that whatever bullets of mine worked in his gun, to use them!
J.D. gave you permission to “use some of the content” from his Romans 1 sermon and the outline he developed for the “entire series on Romans.” Those were the “bullets” he gave you. I doubt he had any idea the extent to which you would use his material.
This excerpt comes from an article J.D. wrote in 2010. Many others have written similarly (e.g., Piper, Mohler, Carson).
What Counts as Plagiarism in a Sermon? (archive.org)
J.D. Greear
November 10, 2010
If I ever preach the gist of another person’s sermon, meaning that I used the lion’s share of their message’s organization, points, or applications, I give credit. I don’t ever think it’s a good idea to preach someone else’s sermon… but in those rare times when you feel like you just can’t help it, you have to give credit. A sermon is a major thought unit. If it’s not yours, you have to acknowledge where it came from.
Unfortunately, men like Danny Akin came to your defense. That was unwise. Many others played down the seriousness of plagiarism. That was foolish.
Daniel Akin
@DannyAkin
Thank you my friend. I appreciate your humility, transparency and integrity. Grateful for you!
Quote Tweet
Ed Litton @EdLitton· Jun 26
My statement on a recent sermon series. https://goredemption.com/pastors-statement/…
8:36 AM · Jun 26, 2021
The same day you posted your “Pastor’s Statement” the statement on “Sermons” appeared on the church website.
Redemption Church
A place to belong
Sermons
June 26, 2021
By the action of the leadership of Redemption Church, we have taken down sermon series prior to 2020 because people were going through sermons in an attempt to discredit and malign our pastor. It is our highest priority to care for and shepherd our church.
You can find all sermons from 2020, including the Romans series, on our YouTube channel (LINKED HERE) while we’re waiting for our new website to come online at the end of July.
Soon after this statement four more videos were posted on the internet. They included sermons on Romans 8, 13, 14, and 7 in that order.
As an aside, your message on “The Greatest Chapter in the Bible: Romans 8:1-11 (May 8, 2020) and all the sermons after Romans 14:1-9 (Oct. 11, 2020) are not found on the website contrary to the claim above.
These four additional videos demonstrated the problem went far beyond your sermon on Romans 1. It was alarming. I was stunned when I listened to them.
I have no doubt some would use this evidence to “discredit and malign” you but the statement above by “the leadership of Redemption Church” was egregious. It was entirely the wrong focus! The leaders were honing in on others when they should have been helping you to repent. They were also doing damage control by not allowing people to research the extent of the problem for themselves.
The statement about “Sermons” should have read something to this effect.
By the action of the leadership of Redemption Church, we have taken down our pastor’s sermons prior to 2020 because we want to afford him due process.
Therefore, we will be hiring an outside firm to do a review of all his sermons to determine the extent to which he may have plagiarized or used sermon material by others without attribution. In this context, he will have opportunity to explain himself.
This review will also examine the involvement of the eight man preaching team to determine if they enabled or encouraged the improper use of sermons by our pastor or other staff members.
This review will be done expeditiously. During this time our pastor will take a leave of absence. A full report will be given to the congregation upon its completion. At that time a determination will be made by the congregation regarding our pastor’s future employment and whether or not he is above reproach and meets the qualifications of Scripture.
Six days later you did an interview with Jonathan Howe, VP for Communications in the SBC. This was after the Romans 1 (June 21), Romans 8 (June 28), Romans 13 (June 29), Romans 14 (June 29), and Romans 7 (July 1) videos were posted online.
An interviw with SBC President Ed Litton
BP StaffJuly 2, 2021SBC News
SARALAND, Ala. (BP) — SBC President Ed Litton joined Jonathan Howe, SBC Executive Committee vice president for communications, on Friday’s (July 2) episode of SBC This Week, a weekly podcast related to SBC news and events.
In the 21-minute interview, Litton discussed recent videos that showed similarities in sermons he and his predecessor, J.D. Greear, had preached. Litton, pastor of Redemption Church in Saraland, Ala., reiterated in the interview what he’d said in a public statement last week: that he had sought and received permission to use material. Litton also discussed his first mandate as SBC president—naming a task force to oversee an independent review of the SBC Executive Committee’s handling of reports related to sexual abuse in the Convention.
For a transcript of the interview click here.
Here are relevant sections of the manuscript. I’ve added comments.
An Interview with SBC President Ed Litton
July 2, 2021
Jonathan Howe:
A lot of things going on in the SBC, one of the big ones revolves around a statement that you made last week [Jun. 26] after a video popped up [Jun. 21] showing some similarities of a sermon [Rom. 1] that you’d preached with that of J.D. Greear. … So I know a lot of people have read your statement. There’s still a lot of questions out there. So why don’t we just start this right here and let you address that right out the gate.
Ed Litton:
I appreciate the opportunity. I stand by the statement. It was a part of our study, and it wasn’t just one sermon. I mean, you can hear illustrations and different statements throughout several of those sermons and had J.D.’s permission, and encouragement.
Comment:
First, you state “I stand by the statement.” How lamentable. You should have repudiated your previous statement. God gave you the opportunity to humble yourself and set the record straight in clear cut terms.
Next you minimized the seriousness of what you had done. Because five videos were now viral you had to admit your use of J.D.’s sermons was not limited to Romans 1. But all you acknowledge is “You can hear illustrations and different statements throughout several of those sermons.” That doesn’t begin to describe the seriousness of the matter.
Then you immediately emphasize “J.D.’s permission, and encouragement” as a justification.
Jonathan Howe:
So I guess what you’re kind of saying in essence is that the sermons from J.D. were just like another commentary for you in the preparation, that kind of thing.
Ed Litton:
A lot of them, I didn’t really even listen to. I would go straight to his written notes that he provides. And so yes, very much like a commentary.
Comment:
As I mention above, you used J.D.’s sermons for your message titles, subheadings, sermon outlines, introductions, prayers, illustrations, jokes, quotes, actual words, thoughts, doctrine, and application points. You did not use his sermons like a commentary. This is another attempt to justify your sin.
Jonathan Howe:
All right. So with all the discussion here, what’s the impact been on you and maybe even Kathy [his wife]?
Ed Litton:
Well, I appreciate that question. What God has made very clear to us is that we are according to Isaiah 48:10 in a refiner’s fire, Malachi 3 tells us the same thing, that it doesn’t matter where the heat’s coming from. God being sovereign and intimately involved with our growth is helping us be refined. And I just want to say, I apologize to anybody who has been offended, and rightly so, and hurt. And some of the things that have been represented in such a way, but I’m not denying that that we borrowed these things.
Comment:
You “apologize” to anyone that has been rightly offended or hurt by you but don’t specify why you are apologizing. You claim to be “in a refiners’ fire” but you don’t articulate what impurities are coming to the surface for removal. The apology is vacuous. You acknowledge no sin. You ask no forgiveness. Why? Because you did nothing wrong. “I’m not denying that that we borrowed these things.” You totally miss the mark. People have been offended by your deceit and hurt by your betrayal of their trust. This next part of your answer is so grievous. You continue to minimize your actions. There is no evidence of God’s refining fire.
Ed Litton:
And I want to say this too. I’m asked by good people and good-willed people. Why didn’t you just credit J.D.? But I want you to hear my heart. This is not an excuse or justification. I am sorry. I did not. I had a preaching professor in seminary that we would preach in front of, and he would evaluate us. And he was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met for evaluating. But a student got up, probably the smartest guy in the class and every citation from ICC [the International Critical Commentary], Linsky [Richard Lenski], from any critical commentary, he made, any commentary. He cited all of them. And even as illustrations, because I got this from that book and thousand illustrations or whatever, when he got finished, the professor very kindly said, ‘That was a good sermon.’ And he said, ‘I’m going to just tell you something. When a diamond miner goes looking for diamonds, he doesn’t hold up the pick and the shovel, he holds up the diamond.’ Now, please hear my heart, Jonathan. I am not excusing myself or explaining. I’m just explaining my heart.
Comment:
You are excusing your sin. You are justifying your deceit. You are explaining away your transgressions with a terrible analogy. You must come to grips with what is in your heart.
You’ve been asked by me and others, “Why didn’t you just credit J.D.?” Your answer, I don’t need to “hold up the pick and the shovel” when I “hold up the diamond.” In other words, you’ve done nothing wrong. All you can say is “I am sorry” for not crediting J.D. There is no illumination of sin. No conviction of sin. You continue the obfuscation using vague language.
Ed Litton:
I love my people. And I want them to see Jesus. He is the diamond. This has opened my eyes, and it’s opened concerns. And will I do it differently? I promise you I will do it differently. And even my preaching team was, has been uncomfortable for the last two weeks [June 18-July 2] because we are engaging the subject. They know what their pastor is going through, and they had unsure doubts. I know they do doubts themselves. And we were able to talk out those things. And we’re making this a growing experience because our God is a refiner.
Comment:
This is meaningless. How have your eyes been opened? What concerns have been raised? You don’t tell us. What from the past two weeks is making your preaching team “uncomfortable?” What “unsure doubts” have they had? How are they doubting themselves? You should have been clear. You left it vague. It sounds like they realize they aided and abetted you in your sin and were not willing to correct you. They too must give account.
Jonathan Howe:
The elders put out a statement saying, ‘Hey, we pulled some of these down, because we don’t want our pastor being attacked unfairly and maligned online.’
Ed Litton:
Our elders and leaders made a decision to take down because they felt the impact was that people were going in and they were pulling things out. They believe out of context. And so to protect the church and the wellbeing of the church and their pastor, they said, ‘We’re pulling these down.’ But what they left was the last 18 months, which is all of all of 2020’s sermons and all 2021 sermons.
Comment:
People were “pulling things out” of your sermons that clearly came from J.D. None of it was “out of context.” It was all in context. Why would you convey this untruth to your listeners? Furthermore, there is every reason to believe your plagiarism and “borrowing” without attribution goes back many years and is extensive in nature. That appears to be the main reason for pulling down all the sermons (over 140 according to Newsweek). This must be addressed by a careful audit of your sermons or full disclosure by you.
The same day as your interview with Jonathan (July 2) the Romans 12 video was posted online. It was number six. Thus far all the sermons posted on the internet were from the 2020 series on Romans. That next day that changed.
On July 3, your messages on Acts 4:1-11 were posted. J.D.’s was from October 2013. Yours from October 2015. His title, “The Inclusive Exclusivity.” Your title, “The Most Inclusive Exclusivity.” At the end of the message you talked about hypocrisy. People had no idea your hypocrisy (and plagiarism) were on full display as you spoke.
This Acts 4 example of stealing J.D.’s material with no attribution occurred six years ago.
Nine days later on July 12 another set of messages were posted online. This time you and Kathy literally read at great length Tim Keller’s transcript on “Marriage as a Commitment and Priority.”
Tim’s message was from September 1991. Yours and Kathy’s from May 2012. You must have assumed you’d not be found out. It was a blatant example of stealing and deceit. It was now clear, your plagiarism was long term and involved others besides J.D. It went back to at least 2012.
As an aside, I’ve sent evidence to Kathy regarding C.J. Mahaney while she was on the Credentials Committee from October 2019 to January 2021. I’m hopeful the new Credentials Committee will recommend removal.
Here is another example of lying you acknowledged during an interview in 2020. I am concerned it is part of a wider pattern of sin.
Interview with Ed Litton
November 2020
“To be very honest, I used to lie. I used to tell people 24 hours, 24 hours a sermon [laugh]. You can spend too much time. You are dorking around and doing something else with your head. Let me say this that when you are younger it is going to take longer. The older you get, and it’s not that you are pulling up old stuff, but there is a resource of material and there is connectively there that will come. But I would say 8 to 10 hours average, 8 to 10 hours and not all of that is, some of that is exegetical work, getting in the dirt, some of it is organizing the thought.
Let me close with some thoughts I hope will aid you in acknowledging your wrong doing to Redemption Church, the Southern Baptist Convention, and those outside the church who have been covering your story.
Fear of God
You did not fear the Lord. You thought you could get away with plagiarism and “borrowing” without attribution and not be discovered. But God’s word is true. He is not mocked. We reap what we sow. He has humbled you before the church and world.
The Desire to Impress
This goes to motive. Why didn’t you give credit where credit was due? I’d suggest because you wanted to impress with the content of your sermons. We must not steal great sermons so people think we are great preachers.
Hypocrisy
You have taught people how to live the Christian life for many years but your conduct in this matter is the opposite of what you have taught about integrity and honesty. No student, teacher, author, or executive could do what you have done and not suffer serious consequences.
Violating Your Conscience
Stealing material and using material without attribution was a pattern for you. Every time you stepped into the pulpit you should have been convicted. Instead of a responsive conscience, however, you had a dull conscience and continued the practice for years.
Setting An Ungodly Example
The pastoral staff and the eight man preaching team learned from you that deception in the pulpit is okay. That set a terrible example.
Undeserved Remuneration
1 Timothy 5:17-18 (NASB) says “The elders who lead well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “YOU SHALL NOT MUZZLE THE OX WHILE IT IS THRESHING,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.”
You received “double honor” (generous remuneration) from the church when it was undeserved. You did not work hard at preaching and teaching. You were not “threshing” like an ox. Instead, you used the work of other men and were paid for labor you did not undertake. Instead of working hard you were lazy in sermon preparation.
Deceitfulness
You took credit by not giving credit to J.D. or Tim Keller. That was deceitful. You allowed people to think highly of you. In so doing, you promoted an exalted view of yourself and your preaching.
Unbelief
If you are called to preach God’s word, he is going to give the grace to study, illustrate, and apply God’s word without stealing from others. We learn from others but we rely on the Holy Spirit to open up the Scriptures, grant illumination, give us his burden, and help us uniquely apply the text in our setting. This results in passionate preaching, not reading material we gathered from other people.
Excusing Your Sin
In your Pastor’s Statement and in your interview with Jonathan Howe you repeatedly excused your sin rather than taking responsibility for it. It was minimized.
Covering Up Your Sin
You also covered up your sin. You never told Redemption, the SBC, or the press how long and how extensive this pattern of sin has been for you. This must be done.
Pride
Not confessing our sin is a fruit of pride. Thus far you have refused to humble yourself.
Rebellion
You know what God’s word requires yet you continue to rebel against God and his commands.
I share these things not to make you “feel” bad. I share them hoping you will “see” the bad you have done. The goal is not shame or misery. The goal is repentance towards God and reconciliation with Christ’s church.
Let me conclude by encouraging your heart with these verses. They come with the promise of grace and mercy.
1 Peter 5:5 All of you clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”
Proverbs 28:13 The one who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.
Given these promises, I hope you will make a full confession that addresses the issues above. Here is what you promised in your Pastor’s Statement on June 26. A month later, it goes unfulfilled. In fact, you have done the opposite.
“I am committed to being a man of integrity and humility. I will not waver from that as I lead Redemption Church to be Christ followers and the SBC to unite around her mission.”
I hope your direction changes for the glory of God, the advance of the gospel, and the good of Christ’s church. May his grace, mercy, and kindness fill you to this end.
Please let me know your thoughts by Friday [July 30]. You are also welcomed to call me at (704) 497-XXXX. I’d be happy to talk with you.
Thanks,
Brent
SECTION TWO: AN APPEAL TO THE SBC EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
I did not receive a response to any of the above so I felt it necessary to write the outgoing, existing, and incoming members of the SBC Executive Committee. That is a group numbering over 100 men and woman.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2021 10:04 AM
To: Executive Committee
Subject: Please Appeal to Ed
To the Executive Committee,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
I’ve sought to serve Ed Litton by going to him and his pastors in private regarding his deceitfulness and plagiarism. They have chosen not to respond. Therefore, I am forwarding my correspondence to you in hopes you will appeal and win him over to repentance.
I don’t doubt Ed has godly virtues but his combination of sins is serious. He is reproachable on numerous counts. Therefore, he should resign for the glory of God and begin to restore his reputation by humbling himself.
A full accounting and clear confession of his sins would have a tremendous impact for good in the SBC. It would put the fear of the Lord in the heart of other pastors (1 Tim. 5:20) who have likewise sinned and set a biblical standard for SBC preachers. It could have a lasting impact.
As it stands, he is covering up his sin which only invites further discipline from the Lord. For that reason, I hope you will act with urgent pleas. I’d encourage you to work out a sincere confession with Ed and his pastors that he could record for the public. The confession could be incorporated in an article by Baptist Press.
I am praying and hope to hear good news in the coming week.
Grace to all!
Brent
I received a few responses to which I replied. I have edited out names and some identifying details.
From: [Edit]
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2021 2:42 PM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: RE: Please Appeal to Ed
Hello Brent!
My name is [edit]. I received your email today. I no longer serve on the Executive Committee. My term ended at the conclusion of the Convention is June. You must be operating off of last year’s roster of members. You may want to go the SBC website and get the updated list. Due to the SBC not meeting in 2020 we had two years of members rotate off the EC. I believe that was 26 people. So you really need the new list to contact a very large number of members.
I share your concerns regarding Ed. I hoped he would do the right thing and resign, but I don’t believe he will since he is getting NO push back from SBC leadership.
God Bless you and God bless the Southern Baptist Convention!
[Edit]
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Saturday, July 31, 2021 4:32 PM
To: [Edit]
Subject: RE: Please Appeal to Ed
Thanks [edit]. Good to hear from you. I decided to send the material to the old EC and 28 new EC members but I could not find addresses for these nine new ones.
1. Adam Wyatt
2. LaTricia L. Watson
3. Ted Murphy
4. Modena J. Henderson
5. L. Melissa Carlisle Golden
6. Carolyn J. Fountain
7. Connie Dixon
8. Marcella M. Crenshaw
9. Brian A. Cloys
I appreciate your sentiments and hope the correspondence results in some godly “push back” for Ed.
On a different note, it is good to know you are on the [edit]. I thank God for the development.
Amen. The Lord bless the SBC for the sake of the gospel!
##
From: [Edit]
Sent: Monday, August 2, 2021 8:18 AM
To: Brent Detwiler
Subject: Re: Please Appeal to Ed
Brent,
Thank you for your email. Even though I have retired, I still have a personal policy in place that I used during my career. When I receive an email that I don’t necessarily agree with, I apply the 24 hour rule before I respond. That way my response is thought through and hopefully I can voice my disagreement in a Christ like manner.
First thing you need to know is that whatever list you used must have not been updated. The June meeting was my last as a SBC Executive Committee Trustee. It was a pleasure representing the great Southern Baptist of [edit] and an honor to serve two years as an officer. In many ways I will miss serving as a Trustee. During my tenure, I only missed two meetings. My first meeting in September 2013 because I had a heart attack on Labor Day of that year and the June meeting in 2019 because my dad died on the Saturday before the meeting. And, I attended many task force or Committee meetings by Zoom the past year and a half. I only mention this so you know I was an active Trustee.
While I understand your concern and view point, I cannot endorse asking Ed for his resignation. In my opinion this is just another attack on Ed’s character by members of the Conservative Baptist Network. While I may agree with some of the reasons for the formation of this splinter group, I do not endorse their tactics or attempts to gain control of the SBC. Oh, by the way, I know many of the Steering Committee members and would claim a few of them as friends.
There are many things I could say, but will only say this; if members of the CBN would spend more time on sharing the Gospel and less time trying to degrade wonderful men of God like Ed, J.D., and Russell Moore, our Convention and world would be much better off. They should also look in the mirror and ask, are we being totally truthful or just saying what we want to say in an attempt to gain control.
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond. I will continue to pray that God will bring unity to the SBC and that we will spend more time and effort to fulfill the Great Commission.
Your brother in Christ.
[Edit]
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Tuesday, August 3, 2021 1:01 PM
To: [Edit]
Subject: RE: Please Appeal to Ed
Hi [Edit],
I sent the correspondence to the outgoing EC members and incoming EC members in hopes old and new would appeal to Ed.
You say, “While I understand your concern and view point, I cannot endorse asking Ed for his resignation.” Why? He is clearly disqualified if Scripture is our guide. For example:
1 Timothy 3:2,7 (CSB) An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach…. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders.
Titus 1:6-7 (CSB) An elder must be blameless…. As an overseer of God’s household, he must be blameless.”
The SBC statement of faith requires pastors meet these qualifications of Scripture.
Baptist Faith & Message 2000
I. The Scriptures
Scripture is … the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and religious opinions should be tried.
VI. The Church
While both men and women are gifted for service in the church, the office of pastor is limited to men as qualified by Scripture.
Ed must be “tried” by “the supreme standard” for “all human conduct.” This evaluation must be done “without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism” (1 Tim. 5:21).
When you say, “I cannot endorse asking Ed for his resignation” you are disobeying Scripture and showing favoritism. He is clearly disqualified. You have no choice in the matter if Scripture is the final authority. This is not a disputable matter. Ed’s sins are serious, numerous, long term and yet to be confessed. “Borrowing” is not a sin.
You also say, “In my opinion this is just another attack on Ed’s character by members of the Conservative Baptist Network.” That is an odd statement. I have no affiliation with the CBN. My writing has nothing to do with them. It has to do with the honor of Christ and the good of my brother.
Furthermore, what I have written is NOT “another attack on Ed’s character.” I am not attacking his character with the intent to harm. I am reproving his character with the intent to restore.
[Edit], you must come to grips with what Ed has done. It is an offense to God. It demeans his holiness. It brings reproach upon the gospel and undermines the testimony of the SBC. Therefore, I hope you will change course and encourage your friend to do what is right and necessary. Confess his sins. Resign his position.
In the kindness of Christ,
Brent
##
From: [Edit]
Sent: Tuesday, August 3, 2021 3:00 PM
To: Brent Detwiler
Cc: [Edit]
Subject: RE: Please Appeal to Ed
Brent –
I wanted to acknowledge receipt of your email. Thank you for following a Mt. 18 approach and reaching out to Ed Litton directly. It is regrettable that you haven’t received a response. While I share some of your concerns, I’m not sure there is anything the Executive Committee can do. At this point, I think it is up to Dr. Litton to decide what he should do. While I am not in a leadership position on the EC, I just don’t think there is anything the members of the EC can do, as far as I know, other than pray for Dr. Litton and his church. He will have to make his own decision as to whether he feels a need to resign.
Sincerely,
[Edit]
From: Brent Detwiler abrentdetwiler@gmail.com
Sent: Tuesday, August 3, 2021 3:52 PM
To: [Edit]
Cc: [Edit]
Subject: RE: Please Appeal to Ed
Thanks [edit]. You are kind to write.
I realize the EC has no authority to request Ed’s resignation but members have a lot of influence. I’d like to see the EC pass a non-binding resolution requesting Ed resign in light of Scripture and for the gospel’s sake.
I’d also encourage individual members of the EC, who know and don’t know Ed, write him and his pastoral staff, appealing for the same action. That would be a tremendous service to our Lord Jesus.
I sincerely hope and pray Ed responds to God’s invitation of grace.
Brent
SECTION THREE: AN APPEAL TO THE BODY OF CHRIST
Yesterday, I wrote Ed and his pastoral staff a short note. No response. That is why I am posting this article. I do so in obedience to Scripture.
From: Brent Detwiler
Sent: Friday, August 6, 2021 8:38 AM
To: Ed Litton
Cc: Scott White; Bobby Shirley; Billy Graham; Taylor Anderson; Cliff Downey; Christopher Reed; Seth Maggio; Daniel Owen
Subject: Please Confess Your Sins
Dear Ed,
Please confess your sins. I hope to hear a good report from you today.
Brent
The greatest threat to the church of Jesus Christ is a false gospel that denies his incarnation, sinless life, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, and ascension to heaven, and as a consequence, salvation by grace alone through faith alone.
The second greatest threat to the church are leaders who preach the gospel but live hypocritical lives. In many cases they use the gospel to advance their own fame and fortune. They bring great disgrace to Christ and his glorious gospel when their sins are exposed. The world laughs. Professing Christians fall away and slander the faith. Genuine believers stumble and leave local churches.
In recent years, scores of celebrity leaders have been exposed for crimes, covering up crimes, greed, duplicity, immorality, and leadership abuse. Think Ravi Zacharias, Mark Driscoll, Paige Patterson, James MacDonald, Jerry Falwell, Jr., C.J. Mahaney, Joshua Harris, John MacArthur, Bill Hybels, Brian Loritts, and Carl Lentz, to mention a few.
What do these men share in common? They refuse to repent. Instead, they cover up their sin and ignore, demean, or attack those who reprove them. So do the leaders who surround them. These subordinates aid and abet by their silence, cowardice, and compromise. They choose comfort, security, and advancement within the church, organization, or denomination over suffering, confrontation, and biblical fidelity. As a result, the celebrity leaders (and not so celebrity leaders) go undisciplined. They continue in sin.
That is not the way of Christ!
The evangelical church must begin to obey the teaching of Scripture. Men who do not meet the character qualifications found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:5-9 must be removed from ministry.
Those who remain unrepentant must be publicly reproved. They must be shown no partiality or favoritism by local elders and extra local leaders. Timothy, an extra local leader, was exhorted by Paul to make certain he did not compromise the standards or principles of righteousness laid out by the apostle.
1 Timothy 5:19-21 (NASB) Do not accept an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. [20] Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all [the church], so that the rest [of the elders] also will be fearful of sinning. [21] I solemnly exhort you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality.
In the same way, men must not be ordained to ministry who do not meet the standards set by Scripture. Theological degrees and charismatic giftings mean nothing in this regard!
1 Timothy 5:22 (NASB) Do not lay hands upon anyone [for ordination to ministry] too quickly and thereby share the responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin.
Men must have proven character before entering the ministry. They must be above reproach from the beginning.
1 Timothy 3:1 (NASB) It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. An overseer, then, must be above reproach…
Once in ministry, they must remain above reproach. If these Scriptures were obeyed, the world would respect our integrity, the church would be revitalized, and the gospel would go forth with power.
I’ve used the word “must” eight times above (that is a piece of poor writing). Why? Because the divine imperatives in Scripture are unequivocal. That is why the Southern Baptist Convention, Redemption Church, the pastoral staff, and his friends must hold him accountable and ask him to resign. Moreover, Ed’s ongoing refusal to repent only compounds the seriousness of his sin.
Of course, this should be unnecessary. President Litton knows his sin and he knows the Scriptures. He should voluntarily resign. If not, the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention should replace him next June in Anaheim. A one year term is enough.
James 1:22-25 (CSB) But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. [25] But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works — this person will be blessed in what he does.
So infrequently do leaders deal with fellow leaders in keeping with Scripture. Instead they cover up for their colleagues and fellow celebrities. This is a great sin against Jesus Christ, the head of the church.
It is also why members of Christ’s church must speak out against corrupt and compromised leaders. It is why the Body of Christ should appeal to Ed Litton.