As the Duggar family of the reality show “19 Kids and Counting” deals with accusations that Josh Duggar molested five underage girls 12 years ago, Southern Baptist Convention President Ronnie Floyd highlighted forgiveness during an interview with People Magazine Sunday, May 31.
“Everyone does wrong, and what was wrong was very wrong as to what was testified to and it’s completely unacceptable,” Floyd, who pastors one of Josh’s sisters, told People during an interview at the Pinnacle Hills campus of Cross Church in northwest Arkansas. “But I’m thankful, whether it’s him or any other one, that I serve a God who can forgive everything.”
Jill (Duggar) Dillard and her husband Derick are active members of Cross Church and were married there in June, 2014, but according to the church, Josh Duggar and his parents are not members.
“All of us were surprised by the news because … their reputation in Arkansas is that they are a very Christian family,” People quoted Floyd in the story on People.com. “Things like [the scandal] have happened before and will happen again.”
Floyd has not mentioned the Duggar family scandal from the pulpit. The church released a statement to Baptist Press Monday (June 1) saying, “We are deeply burdened for the victims of this situation. We stand against any abuse of children. … As we pray about this situation, we are thankful for the healing and forgiveness provided through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”
The People interview came one day after Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar of the TLC series announced they will discuss the scandal in a Fox News broadcast June 5 at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time). A portion of the interview will air on The Kelly File June 3 at 9 p.m.
“Next week we will sit down with Megyn Kelly on Fox News to share our hearts with you about the pain that we walked through as a family twelve years ago, the tears we all shed and the forgiveness that was given,” the Duggars wrote on the family blog, http://www.duggarfamily.com. “We appreciate the outpouring of love and prayers for our family at this time.”
People Magazine publicized the accusations against Josh Duggar in a May 21 article, which included the 27-year-old’s confession to “wrongdoing.”
“Twelve years ago, as a young teenager, I acted inexcusably, for which I am extremely sorry and deeply regret. I hurt others, including my family and close friends,” Josh said in the People story. “I confessed this to my parents, who took several steps to help me address the situation. We spoke with the authorities, where I confessed my wrongdoing, and my parents arranged for me and those affected by my actions to receive counseling. I understood that if I continued down this wrong road that I would end up ruining my life.”
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SOURCE: Baptist Press
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