Eddie Long
Megachurch bishop who campaigned against homosexuality and settled civil lawsuits alleging he coerced young men into sexual relationships
About This Assessment
Factual claims on this page — direct quotes, financial figures, public records, and court outcomes — are documented in Sources & References below. Our verdicts and doctrinal conclusions are our considered biblical assessment: opinion offered in good faith from a historic Protestant (Reformed / Evangelical) perspective — not allegations of fact. Where serious allegations are unproven or unadjudicated, we say so.
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Biography
Bishop Eddie Long (1953-2017) was the senior pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Lithonia, Georgia, which grew from 300 to 25,000 members under his leadership — making it one of the most prominent Black megachurches in America. Long was a fierce public opponent of homosexuality, leading marches against same-sex marriage and running 'Sexual Reorientation' conferences through his 'Out of the Wilderness' ministry, claiming to 'cure' homosexuality through prayer.
In September 2010, four young men — Anthony Flagg, Spencer LeGrande, Jamal Parris, and Maurice Robinson — filed lawsuits accusing Long of using his pastoral authority to coerce them into sexual relationships beginning when they were teenagers. The lawsuits alleged Long first approached them as a 'father figure' around age 14 through the church's LongFellows Youth Academy (a program teaching teens about sexual, physical, and financial discipline), then used trips, gifts, cars, clothes, jewelry, electronics, private plane travel, luxury hotel stays, and church jobs to groom and entice them. Sexual advances allegedly began when the young men were around 17.
Long promised his congregation 'this thing I'm gonna fight,' but ultimately settled out of court for an estimated amount 'in the millions.' He later attempted to claw back approximately $900,000 from three accusers, alleging they had violated confidentiality terms. Long's wife Vanessa filed for divorce in December 2011. Long was never criminally charged and died of an aggressive form of cancer on January 15, 2017.
Biblical Assessment
Every preacher is tested against our 5-point biblical framework. Here's how Eddie Long measures up:
Title & Authority
Self-styled 'Bishop' with no biblical basis for the title as he used it. Built a personality cult around himself at New Birth. Used his spiritual authority to groom vulnerable teenagers in his own youth program.
Scripture:
1 Timothy 3:1-7, Matthew 23:6-12, Mark 10:42-45
Gospel Message
Preached a prosperity-tinged gospel while publicly campaigning against homosexuality. Four young men later filed civil lawsuits alleging he had coerced them into sexual relationships; the suits were settled out of court and Long was never criminally charged. If the allegations are accurate, the contradiction with his public message is severe.
Scripture:
Romans 2:1-3, Matthew 23:27-28, Matthew 7:21-23
Fruit & Lifestyle
Four young men accused Long of grooming them from age 14 through the church's LongFellows Youth Academy, then coercing them into sexual relationships using trips, gifts, cars, jewelry, private planes, and church jobs. Long settled for millions rather than face testimony. His lifestyle of luxury — mansions, Bentleys, private jets — funded by his congregation, further contradicts the gospel.
Scripture:
Matthew 18:6, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, James 5:1-6
Revelation vs. Scripture
Claimed prophetic authority and special anointing. The civil lawsuits alleged he used his pastoral standing to draw young men into sexual relationships; those suits were settled and he was never charged. He used Scripture selectively to assert his authority.
Scripture:
2 Peter 2:1-3, Jude 1:4, 2 Timothy 4:3-4
Finances & Transparency
Lived extravagantly on church funds — multiple luxury vehicles, mansions, private jet travel. Used church resources (trips, gifts, cars, jobs) as tools to groom teenage victims. Spent millions in confidential settlements to silence accusers rather than face accountability.
Scripture:
1 Timothy 6:10, 2 Peter 2:3, Acts 8:18-23
Key Quotes
These statements from Eddie Long reveal doctrinal error.
"I've been accused. I'm under attack. I want you to know, as I said earlier, I am not a perfect man, but this thing, I'm going to fight."— Eddie Long
"I feel like David against Goliath, but I've got five rocks and I haven't thrown one yet."— Eddie Long
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Sources & References
All assessments are based on verifiable, publicly available sources:
- •CBS News — 'Bishop Eddie Long settled so he didn't have to go on record, says lawyer' (May 2011)
- •ABC News — 'Bishop Eddie Long Accused of Sex Abuse by 4th Alleged Victim' (September 2010)
- •SPLC Hatewatch — 'Bishop Eddie Long Settles Lawsuit Alleging Sexual Misconduct' (May 2011)
- •TIME NewsFeed — 'Bishop Eddie Long Reaches Settlement in Sexual Coercion Lawsuit' (May 2011)
- •Wikipedia — 'Eddie Long'
- •Multiple court filings in DeKalb County Superior Court, Georgia
See an error? We strive for complete accuracy. If you believe we've misrepresented Eddie Long's teaching, contact us with evidence and we'll review.
Assessment Summary
Eddie Long teaches doctrine or practices that deviate from Scripture. Exercise caution and discernment.
Affiliated Doctrines
Eddie Long teaches or promotes these doctrines:
Listen Instead To:
These teachers demonstrate biblical faithfulness:
- Paul WasherBold preacher of repentance and holiness
- John MacArthurExpositor and defender of biblical inerrancy
- RC SproulReformed theologian who taught the holiness of God to millions (1939-2017)
Our Method
Every assessment uses our 5-point biblical framework. Learn how to test any teacher against Scripture.
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