Former Atlanta megachurch pastor Earl Paulk Jr., who helped popularize "kingdom now" theology but was plagued for decades by sexual scandal, died early Sunday morning after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 81.Paulk, founder of what is now known as the Cathedral at Chapel Hill, was taken to the hospital on Jan. 1 with an intestinal blockage and was never released, his brother, Don Paulk, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Sunday. He had previously undergone surgery for prostate cancer.
Through his books and television ministry, Paulk helped popularize "kingdom now" theology, which teaches that the church, as a manifestation of God's kingdom, should take dominion over every sector of society. But through the years numerous women alleged that Paulk coerced them to have sex with him, saying he told them certain "kingdom relationships" were not limited to traditional moral boundaries.Although he repeatedly denied the allegations, DNA testing proved in 2007 that Paulk lied about past infidelity and was the father of his nephew, D.E. Paulk, who now leads the 1,000-member congregation.
"For whatever good he may have done, my uncle had a serious problem with sexual addiction, and never owned it, and never really took any responsibility for it," Paulk's nephew, Bishop Jim Swilley, pastor of Church in the Now in Conyers, Ga., said in a blog posting Sunday. "He died in disgrace, and, unfortunately, will for the most part only be remembered for the scandals."
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[I visited the church founded by Earl Paulk on several occasions. He also visited the seminary I attended for speaking engagements. He was the former pastor of Mount Paran Church of God in Atlanta. Earl Paulk's father was a life-long pastor and minister in the Church of God. Bishop Paulk held his father in high esteem and kept keep-sakes from his father's ministry in and around his office. What a shame that a man with such potential could never overcome such a weakness as his alleged indiscretions. My prayers are with the family.]
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