The REAL Church Scandal Revealed in David Platt Lawsuit

[@EvidenceandReasons]

I'm Salvador Cordova and I was in the documentary. Thank you for raising awareness of the documentary and our testimonies. Court records indicate on October 3, 2021 I was confronted by MBC armed security while I sat QUIETLY in my chair in the sanctuary during a worship service. I was then threatened with arrest and jail (in 5 counties) if I ever set foot on MBC properties. No reason was given at the time they made those threats against me, and they still haven't been forthcoming as to why they did that to me. I suspect it was the fact I made 2 youtube videos highlighting that Platt's associate Mike Kelsey said "It's difficult for me not to torch all white people, particularly white evangelicals and Christians" and then I mocked them in another video (nicknamed the "Platt Splatt") for Platt telling the congregation that MBC was prospering under Platt when in fact it took him only 4 years to wipe out half of the congregation which took 55 years to build from 25 people to 13,500 people. Clips from both the aforementioned videos were shown in the documentary. Thanks again for bringing attention to the documentary and giving us a chance to tell our story and rebuke Platt publicly according to 1 Tim 5:20 and Prov 27:5 where it says, "open rebuke is better than secret love". Paul was threatened with arrest and jail, and he appealed to Caesar. We were also threatened with arrest and jail and we appealed to Caesar. Our legal action unfortunately is colloquially called a "lawsuit", but not in the sense of 1 Cor 6, where there are monetary damages demanded. Our legal action wanted "equitable relief" which means no monetary damages, only demands that MBC follow its sworn obligation to disclose it's financial activities to the public. Monetary lawsuits are permissible between believer and unbeliever, and when people professing to be believers flagrantly do not act as believers, after they are confronted, they can be treated as unbelievers.

[@GospelNerd]

Hi Salvador, Thanks for listening to my take. I am so sorry this happened to you all. I think it is just a horrible attack on the church. I know there must have been many faithful brethren wounded by this. But, the hard thing I have to say is that even with your direct context, I am still of the opinion that the corporate governance structure and the broader culture of mega-churches is what has enabled corruption at this scale in the church. The attack started long before Platt came, when the spirit of corporate-growth models set you guys up for this wolf to prey. Further, even with a non-monetary outcome demanded, I still don't agree with the action of taking (even horribly wicked looking so-called) "brothers" to court before unbelievers to decide. Even before that, you mention your KZbin videos. Was that the righteous thing to do? You're interpreting 1 Tim 5:20 to mean rebuke via secular courts and public KZbin? or Prov 27:5's "open" to mean the same? as opposed to simply meaning to directly and openly confront a friend instead of keeping quiet? I'm open to hearing more from you about it. We can even talk on video if you're willing. But, as of now I am sticking with my challenge to show how this honors the Biblical teachings I cited. You don't owe me anything, but I am a brother seeing this and this is my conclusion based on the available testimony. I am sad about what the unbelieving world will honestly think, and worse, how they will twist this against Christ's people. Grace and Peace, brother

[@mikeyicxc]

Thanks so much for your comments, Salvador! I've been in Northern VA all my life and MBC has been a part of my life in various and meaningful ways to my family through a number of means and a number of friends. My heart breaks for you! Because of the limitations in the video and unanswered questions that remain as to church governance, I am interested in understanding better of "where do we go from here?" What do you want to see happen at this point and how can those others at MBC and others within the larger Body of Christ help with this?

[@difuntomekka]

@@GospelNerdI am 100% with you. Real church should never be modern corporate empire. We were called to make disciples and teach Jesus words. We need to refocus. All of this is embarrassing, playing the blame game.

[@My2024Journey]

McLean Bible Church only would remove you if you were a real harm. It’s very sad if you really were harmed and escorted of the premises.

[@rogermat1]

Imagine if David Platt followed your advice and set the example and said, yes we did wrong , we mismanaged finances, we lied to you our flock that God put in our care. What a powerful testimony to the believers . Is it not shocking that not one of the leaders in these mega churches came out ahead of the things getting out and stepped down to protect the church? Why is that? I believe they cared more about their position and their reputation and the financial loss to themselves than they cared about the people they served.

[@GospelNerd]

@@rogermat1 Absolutely. It's not too late. He could still repent and prove it by taking real steps to repair the breach. I don't want to be pessimistic! 🙏🏼

[@DavidS-mg2so]

@@GospelNerd In response to your video: What if David Platt, the leader of this church and a shepherd of God's sheep, would stand up and say: "You all hear these accusations. Though I disagree with them and those who bring them, for the sake of Christ, I will step aside from all my church and leadership positions. I will suffer for Christ and resign, step aside, step down, and give up my leadership and spiritual eldership in order for the sheep who have been wounded to receive a measure of healing. Though I am innocent, I will respond as if I am guilty and lay all my leadership down" That would be RADICAL. That would be LEADERSHIP. That would be JESUS. It is the shepherd who is to lead by example for his flock; not the flock who should lead by example for their shepherd. What if? May God have mercy on those shepherds who lead the flock away from God and who become self centered rather than sheep-centered. What if?

[@My2024Journey]

He did not give money to any corporation of the church. The people suing had no evidence of that. For people to make that allegation is wrong. And then ppl come out to say they were hurt. He had hundreds of death threats. No church leader should ever have to deal with that

[@drjlrust]

MBC worked just fine before David Platt and his cronies came to town. You're blaming the victim here.

[@GospelNerd]

@@drjlrust I wouldn't word it like that to try to be a little sensitive, but to but it bluntly, yes. Even though my skill is in tech, I've worked in many industries over the years including many years in politics. I have noticed that institutions attract corruption, the more powerful or lucrative the more attractive. The church is not immune.

[@blynkers1411]

I appreciate your emphasis on the Scriptures, Nerd. But I really do not appreciate any... I mean not even a modicum... of support, reinforcement, or positive anything about "Radical," ravening wolves like David Platt, or the embodiment of what is warned about in the book of Jude: The SBC. If you're going to draw connections between anything, it should not be EVER David Platt's "Radical" + anything in the Bible. Almost laughable. Instead, it should be David Platt's "Radical" + Alinsky's "Rules For Radicals."

[@GospelNerd]

@@blynkers1411 I'm confused. Was this for me? As sad as it makes me, I didn't say anything about Platt or Radical was Biblical in this video.

[@blynkers1411]

@@GospelNerd My intent was not to come across so offensively and harshly, GN. Will you forgive me for being offensive in that previous comment, please?

[@paulvoit5610]

Blaming the victim is straight from the cult leader handbook

[@emuna9823]

If we have FAITH in CHRIST nothing or noone can destroy it.

[@GospelNerd]

@@emuna9823 Romans 8:38-39 NET For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

[@Jeremy-j2n7n]

Who was Jesus addressing when He directed John to write to the seven churches in Asia Minor in the book of Revelation? Individual believers or the churches as a whole? Several of these churches are recognized as churches. They have "angels" connected with them. And each letter was addressed to the church (singular) of a given city. The Lord doesn't see the church as separate gatherings - but the reality is that in each city there are those who bear His name (whether falsely or in truth) and he is addressing all of them. But the heart of each message is addressed to those "who have ears to hear". Those who are honest, true believers and followers of Christ. Are they supposed to put up with the teachings of false apostles and those who teach false doctrine? To Ephesus He says "But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.". Then to Pergamum, He points out that they have those in their midst who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans - and commands them to repent of it - not just those that hold the doctrine, but he is talking to the whole church. So to tolerate what they know to be wrong is something that He commands repentance for. If MBC is being taken hold of by men who are spoken of in very negative terms (such as those Jude and Peter refer to - and those Paul warns Ephesus about : "grievous wolves"), and those men are trying to take the church in a direction that defies scripture (Critical Race Theory being one of those influences), are these people supposed to sit idly by and let the church they love be snuffed out because of the greed and ambition of a few ungodly men? This is not about being a mega-church, this is about fighting for the lifeblood of this specific church and the area in which it ministers. And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. Ephesians 5:11-13 The actions taken by these members at law and by making this documentary is bringing some of the darkness that has invaded both the SBC and MBC to light.

[@GospelNerd]

@@Jeremy-j2n7n Sorry, judging by responses like yours, I think I should have more clearly spelled out that I am NOT opposed to the actions these brethren took to attempt discipline and confrontation WITHIN their church. The church certainly has the obligation to purge evil from among us, but it also has all the means of discipline to deal with these wolves inside the church. However, if anyone wants to argue for the necessity of secular government intervention in church matters, you have to take it up with what Paul wrote in Scripture to the Corinthians.

[@Jeremy-j2n7n]

@@GospelNerd I agree. But I think the issue here is less one of secular government than it is the way the church has organized itself. If it organizes itself based on general law found in State regulations, then the court has a vested interest in ensuring those who are subject to those laws are being properly served by them. So to avoid state interference, a church should be free and unregistered. As soon as MBC registered, they became (at least in part) a state entity.

[@GospelNerd]

@@Jeremy-j2n7n Brother now we're almost saying the same thing. But I think the State has no place in the administration of the church based on Paul's extensive treatment on the matter. Of course we obey the secular law (as long as it doesn't compromise God's), but we shouldn't intertwine the church with it. This started long before McLean became mega. This touches on another hotly debated topic in the body today under the banner of Christian Nationalism. But I think you can guess where I would land on that one.

[@mariasofia5257]

Came to say the same, but you did it more eloquently, and you being a man, certainly more appropriately. They must fight to get these wolves out, fight untill every bit of their dark dealings have been exposed, especially since this is not the only church that this has happened to.

[@GospelNerd]

@@mariasofia5257 We certainly must fight the good fight. But we don't fight the way the world does. So we shouldn't trust in the world's pagan system to cleanse God's church.

[@scotttiede]

The background music 🤨

[@GospelNerd]

@@scotttiede not a fan?

[@scotttiede]

@@GospelNerd Just gives me bad vibes.

[@GospelNerd]

@@scotttiede sorry..too much? I'm still learning this KZbin thing

[@scotttiede]

@@GospelNerd Felt like the sad music was manipulative. It could just be me.

[@libbydavis3297]

Sitting here in India. Just left the jungles. How influenced our journey has been listening to David Platt. This is so disappointing!!

[@GospelNerd]

@@libbydavis3297 Us too! And we're not too far from you

[@2binspired2]

It's a shame and wonder how anyone still attends.

[@GospelNerd]

🥲

[@michaelnoffsinger9020]

The Bible is clear how we are to look at people who have gone through the process of being reviewed by one another in front of the whole church… And still don't how are they to be considered? And then is it still wrong to such a person.If a non-believer came in and you serve control over your congregation… Would you just simply resist and roll over.

[@GospelNerd]

@@michaelnoffsinger9020 Hey there. I'm not sure I understand what you're saying here. Would you mind maybe rewording this and breaking it up? It seems like maybe there's multiple questions you're asking?

[@cindypenn2877]

Also, we must never give the world the facade that Christians are perfect and never have problems. Cover up breeds a multitude of sins. That’s the whole problem here in the first place!!!! Let’s show the world how we deal with problems the right way. Demonstrate it don’t just preach it. David Platt, apologize and make restitution. Your church will likely forgive you if you will humble yourself and admit where you have been wrong. Starting from the very beginning. Don’t wait until more sin comes to light. Dump it all out and ask for forgiveness and then move on to wherever the Lord leads you. God is so good!!!! He is worth humbling yourself for. We love others best when we love God most.

[@GospelNerd]

Amen. This certainly needs to happen.

[@francita0076]

I watched part 1 and 2 of the documentary of David Platt and I agree with your biblical analogy. The church members and board should stop the lawsuits and walk away. How did they allow Lon Solomon to step down, forced into retirement and sign an NDA! Why are they NOT discussing that concern in their documentary? The Lord allowed this to happen for a reason and I believe you are correct with it becoming a corporation. 😢

[@brianstacey2679]

I watched the documentary as well. I think they had to walk a very fine line as to not risk getting into territory that might generate a defamation lawsuit. For example, they never actually accuse Platt or his associates of embezzlement even though the suggestion is out there. As far as Lon Solomon, he may have requested that the filmmakers not go there for whatever reason. I totally agree with your point; they should consider this church dead and gone and move forward to a new church where they can be fed spiritually.

[@francita0076]

@@brianstacey2679 I have been following this unfortunate circumstance for a few years since I use to visit MBC a few times a year. I would attend some of their Bible classes. It has been said Pastor Lon Solomon had to sign an NDA to receive compensation, therefore he could not speak out. This is concerning on many levels! If the board was being transparent they should have mentioned this gag order against Lon Solomon for more transparency. Most members are now refugees at Cornerstone Chapel Church in Northern VA.

[@GospelNerd]

@@francita0076 It's a sad state of affairs the church is in. I think the problem is that there have been some deliberate long term campaigns (still going today) that quite literally brought corporate business development strategies into the church. Most people underneath it in these congregations are just swept up by the machine. But that isn't really an excuse. As Christians, we have many warnings and exhortations, and that means responsibility to be on guard about these things and take action.

[@AJL-dv3bi]

Maybe people should actually go and hear his sermons instead of proof texting clips from what these accusers have collected.

[@brianstacey2679]

@@AJL-dv3bi I don't think heresy is the issue. The issue is the fact that the church's constitution and bylaws require it to be nondenominational, yet hundreds of thousands of dollars have been sent to the SBC, and there seems to be paperwork confirming close ties with the SBC. Also there is an issue with money collected in tithes going to fund personal projects of David Platt that are only loosely connected to the church. Finally, the church has basically excommunicated members who have questioned these actions. It certainly seems to be a violation of civil law and maybe more depending on how the church is currently spending money. In any event, the issues are legal and financial, not doctrinal. A pastor can preach an orthodox and nonheretical gospel and still be a crook. (See Catholic Church sex abuse scandal).

[@jessalicecoreau7098]

I'm new to the situation of Platt, as a friend just brought it to my attention recently. However, I think this video seems to have handled the subject with sensitivity to the intention of Scripture, basically of not airing out dirty church laundry in a public squabble which only dishonors the Name of Christ. The scoffing secular world is always looking for reasons to mock and sneer at the Church, ultimately in defiance against God, and unfortunately through the various failings and scandals they never seem to lack material. Dragging things into the public court system serves up these failings on a platter for the derision of all. Anyway, this is a good video, on an often-misunderstood issue. (Also the music probably doesn't add much and kind of cheapens the experience of solid teaching)

[@GospelNerd]

@@jessalicecoreau7098 thank you for the feedback

[@mavinja]

I hear your solution that is directed to the people hurt (victims).. Do you have another video where you share a solution about the perpetrators? What must be done with them? I can see how many hear feels you are one sided...

[@GospelNerd]

Good point. Maybe a followup would be helpful. It does seem like because I've criticized the pre-Platt congregation and their response to his treachery that there's a confusion that I'm somehow defending him and his pack. I'm not.

[@tillthesouls]

Titus does say to expose the sun of the elders…publicly.

[@GospelNerd]

I'm sorry. What Biblical text are you referring to? If you mean 1 Timothy 5:20, Paul is speaking in the context of the local church, not in front of "all" referring to the whole world. In the documentary, these brethren did seem to try to obey that and even to call for his removal from office. I have no problem with that. It's all the airing out in front of the lost magistrates and the watching world which I think is a failure to heed Paul and Jesus's teachings. And generally that the massive institution building Christian culture breeds these kinds of wolves.

[@HealingWord_Psalm107-20]

Much needed perspective. If it is indeed true that Lon Solomon signed an NDA to receive compensation, then he is also an unfaithful shepherd.

[@GospelNerd]

@@HealingWord_Psalm107-20 so sad

[@DavidS-mg2so]

In response to your video: What if David Platt, the leader of this church and a shepherd of God's sheep, would stand up and say: "You all hear these accusations. Though I disagree with them and those who bring them, for the sake of Christ, I will step aside from all my church and leadership positions. I will suffer for Christ and resign, step aside, step down, and give up my leadership and spiritual eldership in order for the sheep who have been wounded to receive a measure of healing. Though I am innocent, I will respond as if I am guilty and lay all my leadership down" That would be RADICAL. That would be LEADERSHIP. That would be JESUS. It is the shepherd who is to lead by example to his flock; not the flock who should lead by example for their shepherd. What if? May God have mercy on those shepherds who lead the flock away from God and who become self centered rather than sheep-centered. What if?

[@GospelNerd]

Amen

[@Justexposingevil]

I couldn't listen to the rest of your video brother. I disagree with you and the only thing good is you spreading the story about what happened at MBC. What happened their to their congregation and their home they all built and were proud of. It seems very one sided of you so in respect I will inform you this is the only video of yours. I do pray for you and your walk with God.

[@GospelNerd]

@@Justexposingevil Thank you for watching at least part of the video, brother. I appreciate your concern for my walk with God. However, I'm puzzled - if you believe I'm in error, wouldn't love compel you to show me where I've mishandled Scripture? I used numerous biblical texts to make my case. If I've interpreted them wrongly, I'm genuinely open to correction from God's Word. The issue isn't about a building or institution people are proud of - it's about biblical faithfulness in church leadership. If you're willing to continue watching and then show me where my biblical analysis is flawed, I'd welcome that conversation.

[@unledzeppelinu3104]

Please get off your soapbox. You do not know what the congregation did to rectify this biblically. Paul and Jesus warned us about the false teachers, his preaching has all the hallmarks of heresy. Watch some apologists crush his sermons. Please just stop, you're coming off as another warped by poor theology.

[@GospelNerd]

@@unledzeppelinu3104 I certainly didn't defend David Platt here. I opened with my condemnation actually. And I'm happy to be challenged on my theology, but you didn't really give any substance to evaluate. I gave Scripture and applied it to the situation. Sal from MBC is on these comments too and added more info and the documentaries were extensive enough for me to make my opinion and publish it. I stand by what I said. The church, esp. in the West, has a problem with corporatism, and it breeds corruption.

[@AJL-dv3bi]

People here toss around the word “heresy” like the clergy of the Middle Ages. I’m unconvinced about these poor theology claims. Also certain that none of these commenters have bothered to go listen to his sermons.

[@marlene56-143]

This guy and his hat are defending "Radical" some kind of Platt money diversion entity.

[@ManofManySorrows]

@@AJL-dv3biSomething tells me you haven’t listened to any of his sermons. ANY pastor that brings DEI, or CRT into a sermon knows nothing of the Gospel.