Former Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell returned to the pulpit at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield on Sunday, just two days after resigning from office following the release of an investigation that substantiated a sexual harassment allegation against him.
Caldwell’s sermon, titled “When Lies Become Weapons” in the church’s weekly booklet, repeatedly returned to biblical examples of people he said were falsely accused.
“The Bible is filled with people who were falsely accused,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell referenced the biblical story of Joseph, who was falsely accused by Potiphar’s wife after refusing her advances and imprisoned despite his innocence.
He also pointed to the story of King Ahab and Naboth’s vineyard in 1 Kings 21. Naboth refuses to give up his ancestral vineyard to Ahab, and Jezebel orchestrates a false accusation against him that ultimately leads to his death.
“There were witnesses, there was a proceeding, there was punishment. Everything looked official. Everything looked legal, but none of it was just,” Caldwell said.
He then turned directly to the reliability of investigations and legal proceedings.
“Process does not guarantee truth. An investigation does not guarantee truth. A courtroom does not guarantee truth. God asks a deeper question: Is it true?” Caldwell said.
“Laws are necessary. Rules are necessary, investigations are sometimes necessary, accountability is necessary, but when people use these things for revenge, jealousy, politics or personal advantage, justice becomes injustice,” he said.
Caldwell also warned about the speed at which accusations can spread in the modern media environment.
“Social media makes lies travel even faster,” Caldwell said.
“Speed does not determine truth. Popularity does not determine truth. God knows the truth,” he said.
“One false accusation can burn down a reputation that took 50 years to build,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell encouraged his congregation to reflect before responding to accusations and warned against answering falsehoods with falsehoods or character assassination with character assassination.
Instead, he urged them to “fight injustice with justice” and “fight hatred with love.”
Caldwell also emphasized that concerns about false accusations should not prevent legitimate allegations from being investigated.
“We must hold people accountable when evidence establishes wrongdoing,” Caldwell said.
Before beginning the sermon, Caldwell called on the congregation to focus on helping those in need rather than on what makes the news.
“Let’s come together and figure out how we can target the real enemy, which is people struggling and hurting,” Caldwell said.
He ended the sermon by saying that anyone who is falsely accused should “tell the truth, examine yourself, protect your heart, defend yourself appropriately and trust God.”
Caldwell resigned Friday after Gov. Mikie Sherrill released the findings of an independent investigation into his conduct and called for his resignation. Sherrill said the investigation found serious and repeated violations of state policy, including a substantiated finding of sexual harassment. Caldwell submitted his resignation Friday afternoon, and Sherrill accepted it.
Caldwell has disputed the investigation’s findings. In an interview with Fox News’ Kyle Mazza following his resignation, Caldwell said he stepped down because he did not want to become a distraction to the Sherrill administration.
“I’m not resigning because of that ridiculous report. I’m resigning because I don’t want to be a distraction to the Mikie Sherrill administration,” Caldwell said.
Caldwell called Sherrill a “wonderful person” and said she means well.
After Sunday’s service, Caldwell told the New Jersey Globe that he remained supportive of the Sherrill administration and was looking ahead.
“I am still supportive of the administration and excited for the next chapter,” Caldwell said.