I Sympathize With Steve Gaines

Steve and Donna Gaines inherited a terrible mess that no new pastor would ever want to have to deal with. Perhaps in the history of American fundamentalism has a pastor had to carry the burden this man and his wife carry.

While I do not support nor attend Bellevue I sympathize with him and I'm sure he can get along without my sympathy. His theology is no different than Dr. Rogers, so I oppose both men's terrible theology. They have departed from healthy orthodoxy and embraced variations of Arminianism/Semi-Pelagianism. They have followed in the path of Charles Finney's Pelagianism.

However many have been unfair to Steve and Donna by assailing his character and integrity.
They desire to "kick him out" of Bellevue and run him out of town. Others also have contributed and have successfully given them a hard time.

While Gaines made some miscalculated errors which could give him serious negligent criminal charges if Paul Williams were charged there need to be due consideration to the following:

1.) The concealment was probably what any man would have done in the same situation. They may not have left Williams in the same official functions as a counselor and certainly not near children. If Dr Rogers were still living he would have taken the same approach, contrary to what his devotees say. He would not have acted quickly. No one would have challenged Dr Rogers actions if he had done the same thing.

2.) Adrian Rogers left a delicate "china shop" in which he and only he could gracefully maneuver. Steve Gaines with a rugged and awkward personality different from Rogers was like a bull in that china shop. In my opinion there were many who were not comfortable with Dr Rogers' celebrity and quickly fell in love with Gaines bullheaded manliness.

3.) Adrian Rogers hand picked him and if he were still alive and at Bellevue as Pastor-emeritus, he would still be there supporting Gaines. All those presently opposed to Gaines would not be raising a fuss about any of the past two year events.

4.) If Dr Rogers were still here Paul Williams would still be on staff at Bellevue and Chris would be suffering in silence.

These are reasonable and common conclusions.