NEW BOOK EXCERPT! Epstein and Gossip?

Just a few more chapters to go and then When Shepherds Prey will be written (and my editor will be happy! 😄) I am so grateful for your encouragement and prayers. Today, I wanted to give you another preview of the book.

This chapter was inspired during an exercise ride while I was listening to the latest news on a podcast—why is it that the Church has no qualms about calling for justice on a notorious “worldly” sexual abuse case but fights fiercely to cover up one among “our own”?

Thanks for reading! Share with your friends and be sure to sign up (at the end of the excerpt) for the latest updates on the book.

---

Epstein and Gossip

Let me share something that stood out to me as I was exercising this afternoon, listening to a news report about Jeffrey Epstein and what appears to be a cover-up regarding his powerful clientele list. Podcaster Joe Rogan is expressing his concern over how things are being handled. A news reporter was reporting on Rogan’s concern. What’s my point? No one is going to say to Joe Rogan, or anyone else for that matter, that talking about the horrendous crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell should not be in public. In fact, the vast majority of Americans—89%, according to a recent CBS poll¹ — want to see the truth come out, and the best way to get the truth is to pressure the government to release the files by talking about it and keeping the story in the public eye. Right? It’s not rocket science.

Now imagine if someone said to me right now: “Ron, all this talk about Epstein is evil speech—it’s gossip. Why are all these news outlets gossiping?” What if someone dismissed it as an “accuser spirit”? We would rightly reject such a claim and respond that the Epstein case—the truth about what happened and who his clients were—is a matter of public interest. I’ve not heard anybody say, “I’m so grieved about people publicly talking about Epstein and Maxwell. It’s gossip! Evil speech!” We should absolutely expose such evil.

Epstein’s network was built on the trafficking and exploitation of underage girls. Crimes against minors are not only illegal but strike at the moral foundation of society. He has ties to very powerful people—politicians, CEOs, celebrities, and even royalty. To not talk about the Epstein saga would be sinful.

But if Epstein were a megachurch pastor or a powerful international evangelist, he would have an army of defenders. If his organization employed hundreds or thousands of people and was reaching the nations for Jesus, they might seek to protect him. People who benefited from his celebrity would have his back the same way that the elders of Gateway Church (or at least some of them) allegedly had Robert Morris’s back.

How much more must we demand that the darkness be exposed in the pulpit? It is not gossip to bring to light sexually abusive behavior that others have covered up. In fact, it’s biblical. Paul wrote, “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them” (Eph. 5:11, ESV) and told Timothy, “As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear” (1 Tim. 5:20). According to Scripture, we teachers are to be held to a higher standard than the Jeffrey Epsteins of the world. James says, “You know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (Jam 3:1, NIV). Paul speaks publicly about those in the Church sinning sexually (1 Cor 5:1-5). He tells the Corinthians to “Expel the wicked person from among you” (v. 13, NIV). And, with almost every exposure we have seen over the past several years, it has been social media, rather than proper New Testament leadership, that has brought the pressure necessary to address allegations.

Let me be clear, I believe in New Testament eldership. I’m not some crazy podcaster or sensationalist social media influencer (no offense to those who are). I’ve been a youth pastor, associate pastor, and senior pastor. I am currently an elder at our Tel Aviv-based congregation. I love the local church. These issues should be dealt with righteously by congregational leaders. Scripture teaches that the best place for these allegations to be addressed is before New Testament elders—not podcasters. That is what Paul tells Timothy (1 Tim. 5:19).

But what if those elders are not willing to hold their friend accountable? What if the boards and fellow elders protect the famous offender? What if the powerful pastor has created a culture of cover-up and surrounded himself with those who have been conditioned to protect him at all costs? 

Get the LATEST NEWS on "When Shepherds Prey"

---

[1] Nik Popli, “These House Republicans Want All of the Epstein Files Released,” Time, July 21, 2025.https://time.com/7304138/epstein-files-house-republicans.