This is also available in Swedish.
In light of the recent series of articles published by the Swedish newspaper Dagen regarding Göteborgs 8:e Baptistförsamling (G8B), TGC Norden would like to offer some clarification and context to their claims.
Under the pretext of conducting a follow-up interview related to a feature on G8B pastor Johnny Lithell, Dagen approached Lithell but then shifted the conversation unexpectedly to the topic of church discipline. This approach felt misleading, and the resulting coverage questioned his integrity and portrayed him in an unfair and negative light.
We are deeply concerned about the journalistic ethics displayed in this reporting. While we may differ theologically, such conduct—especially when it involves character attacks and public shaming—is troubling and difficult to understand. Regardless of Dagen’s motives, TGC Norden remains committed to moving forward in the peace and joy of the Lord.
There is much that could be said about the misleading and inaccurate claims made in the articles. However, we trust that Dagen’s readers possess both the theological insight and the media literacy to discern the broader picture and seek the truth for themselves.
We previously published an article on the topic of church discipline, which we believe offers helpful context. In addition, G8B has released a statement (in Swedish) in response to the articles.
We have also spoken directly with Johnny Lithell, who will now provide further details and clarification about what actually took place.
Can you tell us about what’s been going on lately with the series of articles that Dagen has published about your church?
Under the pretense of investigative journalism, Sweden’s largest Christian newspaper has spoken to four people who, for various reasons, are angry with me. Two of these individuals have been excommunicated from our church, and the third should have been but wasn’t. The fourth was a pastor in a small church in Stockholm that the other pastors in the network recommended suspending due to several disqualifying circumstances. The paper listened to their stories, reached its conclusions, and published a series of articles that can only be described as a character assassination of me. They used a few facts and spun them into a narrative that is entirely misleading and slanderous. The articles are aimed at me personally and successfully portray me as a monster.
Underlying all of this are issues of church discipline, but that is only in the background. The message of the articles concerns false claims that we don’t allow people to leave our church and penalize those who criticize.
In the article, they described the phone talk as a follow-up interview. Did the journalist present it as an interview to you?
No, the article presents it as a “big interview” with me, where I give my side of the story that the paper published. That is untrue. They called me while I was out on a walk with our two-year-old son and asked if they could ask some follow-up questions from a birthday feature they did with me a few weeks earlier. They had me completely fooled. I had no idea what the accusations were until the articles were published.
What do you think about the content of the articles now that they are published? Does it accurately reflect what’s been going on in the church?
No. I had to go back and read all the documents that the paper had access to. I am astounded by the dishonesty in the journalism – they’re pulling short quotes out of context and making them say the opposite of what they really mean. This is not news reporting; this is an agenda to snuff us out. It is a power play by the biggest player in Sweden. They want to create a scandal and portray me as a cult leader, and they’re willing to make any ridiculous claim to make that happen.
How are your church and fellow elders responding to all of this?
The church has handled the situation well. I am grateful, in a way, that the articles are so obviously slanderous because this makes it easy for the church to discern the truth. However, different individuals in the church react differently. Some want to take to social media to defend us and share the truth, while others would rather weather the storm in silence.
One of the articles mentioned an affiliated church in Örnsköldsvik. How has this affected them?
They have been victims of the same type of slander from the same person for a long time. He wrote a letter with false accusations and sent it to all the churches in town. He has also called members on the phone (and their family members) to threaten them, stating that unless they leave the church, he will ensure they lose their jobs. They lost the rental contract for the worship venue, making it exceedingly difficult to find another space. Consequently, the slander has caused them significant harm, but I don’t believe these articles have inflicted any damage that wasn’t already done.
What kind of support have you all received from other churches and friends in the movement?
I have received great support. I have been through something similar when I was outmaneuvered from the previous church I served. Back then, none of my friends dared to stand up for what they knew to be true. However, this time is very different, which means a lot to me.
You’ve had it rough, but praise be to the Lord for the support that you are receiving. It is a testimony to God’s faithfulness through His people. Does this change the way that you are thinking about church discipline in Sweden?
Not the least. I remain as convinced as ever that church discipline is not only biblical and should be practiced for that reason alone, but it is also absolutely necessary for the health and witness of a local church. And, strange as it may sound, I genuinely believe that these articles demonstrate we made the right decisions.
What did the process look like? You shared that it was overly complex, and you had mentioned putting some things into writing and texts which was unhelpful. Is that what you were referring to and what would you do differently? How would you simplify things?
Yes, while I can stand by the decisions we made regarding the excommunications mentioned in the articles, I also recognize that we have been inexperienced and have not handled the situation ideally. We questioned whether we did everything in our power to address the objections of these individuals and plead for their repentance. This has not proven to be a helpful question. The Bible outlines different processes for various issues related to church discipline, but none of these are particularly lengthy or complex. We have tried to be more patient and merciful than God, which has caused the processes to become overly complicated as we attempted to address every objection. We should have proceeded much more decisively, in line with the Bible’s instructions.
It is an interesting phrase, “being more merciful than God.” You mentioned also that you “have no secrets” in the kind of communication you sent out. What did you mean by that?
I meant that the articles are aimed at my character and portray me as a monster and a cult leader. However, we are consistent in our congregationalism; additionally, we believe in a plurality of elders. This means I have not made any of these decisions alone. Furthermore, all communication has taken place with the other elders. There are no aspects of my life, either as a pastor or as a Christian, that someone else does not have insight into and cannot speak to.
It can be helpful to remind ourselves that church membership is the flip side of church discipline. Though church discipline is seldomly practiced in the Swedish free church, most churches have some kind of membership. What is the biggest difference in how G8B practice church membership compared to most free churches?
Membership at our church is deeply meaningful. We know who our members are, and we understand that we have a responsibility to love one another well by edifying each other in every thinkable way. It also means, as Galatians 6:1 says, that, “if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual (that is, Christian) should restore him.” This is how we bear one another’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ, as the next verse says. In short, this means that we take responsibility for each other’s spiritual well-being.
It’s clear that both you as a person and your church have had a hard time in all this. In some ways, it brings to mind the theme of false accusations in Genesis 39. Joseph is falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife in verses 19–21. It says that “his master heard the words that his master’s wife had accused him in regard to his misconduct. ‘This is the way your servant treated me.’ His anger was kindled and Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the Kings prisoners were confined. And he was there in prison. But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.” So, of course we see this throughout Joseph’s life (God’s sovereign hand over personal evil). Particularly here amidst false accusations, it says that “the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love.” With that in mind, Johnny, how has the Lord been showing you steadfast love in the midst of these accusations?
I have been reminded of the care and love that exists—not only within our congregation and our small network of congregations but also in the global network of congregations to which we belong. I have received numerous messages from our congregation and from congregations around the world, expressing that they are praying for my wife and me. I have also been helped repeatedly to see how often God’s word speaks about false accusations.
Do you think this will negatively impact the movement that your church and TGC Norden are part of, or do you think the readers might see through the articles?
Yes, in the short term, I believe it will affect the movement we are part of—it is very tangible, especially for me personally. These articles have caused great harm. However, I am also convinced that when people come into contact with us, it will become evident how false these accusations are. But regardless of what happens and what the outcome may be, I rest securely in the promise of Romans 8:28, that this is part of God’s good providence that will work together for the best. At times, I am overwhelmed by His love; at other times, I am disheartened by how my name has been dragged through the mud. But regardless of how I feel, I know it is well with my soul because of Christ’s sacrifice on my behalf. Therefore, as a Christian, I can rejoice in all circumstances.
Amen, God is sovereign even over the slandering of our good name and there is joy in being slandered for faithfulness to God’s word. It is a surprising joy that you find in suffering for the Lord in that way. Praise God for that, brother, and we’re so thankful to hear this. Thank you for taking the time and we will be praying for the outcome here that will be for God’s glory and for our joy. Brother, thanks for your time.
Thank you so much.
