Don’t have a cow: Some guys don’t like Chicks
In 2012, many were outraged by comments made by Chick-fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy. In an interview with Baptist Press, he said, “We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit.” A number of groups labeled the organization “anti-gay,” hateful, and similar terms. Critics also highlighted Chick-fil-A’s donations to pro-family groups such as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Family Research Council.
Why the beef with Chick-fil-A?
Now that I’ve milked these udderly ridiculous puns for all they’re worth, let’s set aside Chick-fil-A for a moment and consider the broader controversy. Does Christian opposition to gay marriage imply hatred and hostility against those in the gay community?
Two notes on Christian objections to gay marriage
First of all, our objection is not based upon hatred but biblical principle. Outsiders rarely voice the same level of outrage over other Christian prohibitions (e.g., adultery, premarital sex, drunkenness, etc.), even if they disagree with them or find them outdated. Nor would you hear many associate these views with hatred. Of course, it is possible that I’m wrong:
- If Christianity is not true;
- If the Bible is not the inspired and inerrant Word of God; or
- If the Bible is the Word of God, but my interpretations of the relevant passages are incorrect.
However, the evidence has convinced me of the truthfulness of Christianity and the reliability of the Bible. Without abandoning the historical-grammatical method of interpretation, it’s difficult to embrace another view. One may disagree with me 1.) on religious grounds by denying Christianity is true; or 2.) hermeneutically by rejecting the accuracy of my interpretation. However, please don’t dismiss my view because of supposed hatred – for there is none to be found.
Second, we cannot ignore those who do respond in hatred in the name of Christianity. Their message and motive are contrary to Scripture. Anyone who wishes judgment or harm upon the gay community fail to recognize their own sinfulness. The Church must not be reluctant to rebuke such hatred and hostility. After the tragic massacre at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, Roger Jimenez, pastor of Verity Baptist Church in Sacramento told his congregation, “The tragedy is that more of them didn’t die.” These words are heartless, thoughtless, and reckless (as I communicated to him in an email on July 2, 2016).
A Biblical model for our response
To be clear, we have a responsibility to proclaim the truth in love (Eph.4:15). Show compassion, but never compromise your convictions. To my fellow Christians who share the belief that homosexuality is a sin, let us also be mindful of these truths:
1) God does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezek.18:23-24; see also 1 Tim.2:3-4) – nor should we.
Is your desire to see people come to Christ? Or are you suffering from Jonah syndrome? When listening to some Christians talk about homosexuals, it sounds quite similar to Jonah’s attitude. He didn’t want to share God’s message with those he considered as enemies. When Nineveh repented and experienced God’s mercy, Jonah was devastated! He seemed so eager to see people judged. Does that sound familiar?
2) God’s love does not exclude sinners – otherwise, what hope would we have? (Rom.5:8; 1 John 4:10)
For several years, I worked in the furniture industry. One of my coworkers was openly gay. He impressed me not only with his remarkable design skills, but also his utmost integrity. I’ll never forget the day he detailed his experience with his conservative “Bible-believing” family. When he visited them, he was greeted with Lysol because he was so disgusting to them. He confessed his lifestyle was wrong, but he just couldn’t change. “I know my family hates me.” Sadly, he was also thinking, “…and God hates me too.”
Two destructive lies
Can you imagine thinking that you’re a sinner, but have no hope? What if Jesus said, “For God so loved the world – except for you. You’re not good enough. You’re disgusting.” What kind of message is this? His story brought tears to my eyes. I explained, “That is not the Gospel.” There are two destructive lies:
- I’m a good person; I don’t need a Savior.
- I’m a bad person; there’s no saving me.
Two errors in response
The former is deceived about who he is while the latter is deceived about who Christ is. Likewise, when addressing the gay community, the Church tends to err in one of two ways:
- By rejecting the people; or
- By accepting and affirming the practice.
The former ignores the problem by turning away those affected by it. The latter denies the problem by tolerating and/or affirming it. Homosexuality is not a separate category – as though it is the unforgivable sin. We should share the Good News of Christ with everyone. Those who respond will come to Christ the same way as the rest of us – dirty. In other words, don’t ask anyone to “clean up” or “get rid of sin” before coming to Christ. If we could do that on our own, we wouldn’t need Jesus!
What about the log in our eye?
I don’t think the Church is “making too big a deal” about the sin of practicing homosexuals. However, we are often guilty of not making enough of a deal about the sin we do practice! (As a good reminder, see Jerry Bridges’ Respectable Sins). As Paul reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph.2:8a).
In Romans, he writes, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” (Rom.10:14). Therefore, let us go and speak the truth in love (Eph.4:15), allowing our words to always be gracious, seasoned with salt (Col.4:6).
