Paul's Passing Thoughts

Two high school football players in Steubenville, Ohio were convicted of raping a sixteen year old at a party. The case received national attention and invoked comments from the most famous among us in the sports world. This article gives ground level insight into the case and some of its unsung heroes. It will also gag you as much as the amended lawsuit against SGM did.

But it’s not over yet:

COLUMBUS —

An eastern Ohio grand jury is ready to renew its investigation into whether other laws were broken in the rape of a 16-year-old girl.

One of the key issues before the panel set to meet Monday in Steubenville is whether adults who are required to report crimes knew early on of the rape last August but didn’t say anything.

The panel last met May 24, then adjourned to give investigators overseen by Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine time to gather more evidence.

A judge in March convicted two high school football players of raping the West Virginia girl after an alcohol-fueled party last summer.

Read more: http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x997478630/Grand-jury-to-reconvene-in-Steubenville-rape-case#ixzz2YTHYgw45

At the next Together for the Gospel conference (T4G: 4/8/2014), one of the original core four, CJ Mahaney, for the first time, will not be speaking. He is one of the primary defendants in the SGM class action lawsuit. The 2014 website is scrubbed of anything CJ except a small red link that you would miss if you were not searching for it. Clicking on the link takes you to the following page:

July 1, 2013

After much prayer, reflection and counsel I have decided to withdraw from participation in the 2014 Together for the Gospel conference. My reason for doing so is simple: I love these men and this conference and I desire to do all I possibly can to serve the ongoing fruitfulness of T4G.

Unfortunately, the civil lawsuit filed against Sovereign Grace Ministries, two former SGM churches and pastors (including myself), continues to generate the type of attention that could subject my friends to unfair and unwarranted criticism. Though dismissed in May (and now on appeal), the lawsuit could prove a distraction from the purpose of this important conference. My withdrawal is not intended to communicate anything about the merits of the suit. My decision simply reflects the reality that my participation could create a hindrance to this conference and its distinct purpose of serving so many pastors. My strong desire is to make sure this doesn’t happen. I believe the most effective way I can serve my friends who have supported me, and continue to support me, is by not participating in the 2014 conference.

My enthusiasm for this conference is undiminished and I believe it will continue to be a powerful context for encouraging and equipping pastors in their efforts to serve their churches and proclaim the gospel. I am immensely grateful for the undeserved privilege to have been involved in previous conferences, and, most importantly, my ongoing friendship with these men I love and respect.

C.J. Mahaney

Sovereign Grace Church | Louisville, KY

Then if you go to CJ’s website at SGC, there is no mention of T4G or any references to the 2014 speakers at all. Other sources inform me that there are not ANY recent posts from Mahaney showing up at any of the usual haunts like the Gospel Coalition blog.

My, my, do you feel the same cold chill that I do? I am reminiscing of when my sports hero, Bo Jackson blew out his knee. Hero one day—gone the next. It was like he never existed! Seriously, where’s CJ? Even more shocking is the sudden 180 from the statement of support that the T4G crowd posted, what? Two or three weeks ago?

Is this a Steubenville thing? Fact is, knowing of a sex crime and not reporting it is a serious crime. If it has been established that CJ knew and didn’t report it, he could be in deep doo-doo.

This would explain the new normal that posits the idea that they never even knew C J Mahaney. It would seem that the T4G crowd has spent as much political capital  on CJ as they can. They also know that Christians have short memories. The goal seems to be to create as much space/time as they can between themselves and CJ before it’s too late.

And the effort seems mutual. Only time will tell if CJ is falling on his sword .

paul