“‘It was more than one affair, they were significant. And at least some bad moral behavior had gone back historically, but not necessarily those affairs,’ Houston said in the recording obtained by DailyMail.com.”
The saga continues about Carl Lentz and his cheating.
As I read this statement from Houston, the founder of Hillsong, I am struck by the question it begs:
Can we say an affair conducted by a pastor is ever insignificant?
Obviously, he is saying “just” an insignificant affair is not the case with Lentz. His cheating behavior was over the top morally reprehensible.
That said, you would think a church leader would have a more biblical view towards adultery or sexual immorality in leadership. Namely, the Bible has a zero tolerance towards such behavior for its church leaders (see I Timothy 3:2). It does not classify one affair as less significant than another. All affairs are significantly wrong!
Also, it strikes me as odd how people seemed shocked over the obvious.
Cheating and narcissistic tendencies go hand in hand. Why? Well, cheating is inherently a selfish act.
In fact, I would argue that the affair partner is really just a mirror of sorts for the cheater. They use the partner to feed their ego (see here.) That is why marriages to affair partners fail so often in my opinion; the real (flawed!) person comes forth and the fantasy trip is over.
Back to Lentz.
Another article on this leaked audio exposed a response to Lentz’ apology. It comes from the other couple that help found the church out East with Carl and Laura Lentz in 2010. Her name is Esther Houston, daughter-in-law to Hillsong founder Brian Houston.
She wrote:
“Amazing to see all the support being poured out for this despicable ongoing behavior,” she said in the comment. “Listen. I’m not gonna play this game. I fully denounce this and will make no excuses for it. You’ve been dealt a good hand, and you played it wrong.”
I have to respect her for such a bold statement.
She does not mince words. This is someone who takes marital infidelity and its accompanying sins seriously.
Assuming the truth of her accusation that this is ongoing behavior, such reveals Carl Lentz’s statement was really just image management. Not shocking. However, it is sad.
