This week, a couple dozen Christian leaders, ranging from Dr. Jack Hayford to Mike Huckabee, to Carlos Campos of Regent University to Dr. James Dobson and others, signed a statement that says, “We stand in solidarity to defend marriage and the family and the society founded upon them.”
I had the honor of adding my signature to the others.
The same week, news came from the Exodus International annual convention that Exodus, a ministry that for nearly four decades has been helping mostly Christians who have unwanted same-sex attraction find freedom through the power of Jesus Christ, was shutting down. Instead, a new ministry called Reduce Fear that is gay-friendly is starting up.
I’m encouraged that many Christian leaders are standing with clarity. I’m sad that Exodus is apparently caving in to the pressure of the gay agenda and apparently taking the line that either it’s not possible or not necessary to become “ex-gay.”
I say “apparently” because I have been a supporter of Exodus for many years, and I consider its president, Alan Chambers, a personal friend. I have read Alan’s website and the statements he issued. But I have not been able to talk to him, so I must withhold my judgments. He must have been under enormous pressure.
Alan does make a point that many Christians have been unkind in their dealings with those who deal with same-sex attraction. I believe all of us must reduce fear. But we also must stand for truth.
In the same way that we should not abandon the ideals of democracy and give in to the demands of terrorists like the Taliban, so should we not cave in on the ideals and the truth of God’s Word when there are cultural terrorists who want their view to become the norm.
Rick Warren, the respected pastor of Saddleback Church in California, says the civil rights movement of the 21st century is religious liberty. I believe that is true because it is eroding moment by moment.
I encourage you to click here to read the entire Freedom Federation statement and to see the names of those who signed it. I also encourage you to read a very thoughtful blog post written June 17 by Andy Comiskey, a former president of Exodus, only a couple days before Exodus shut down.
Comiskey writes, “I am troubled by Christians who now claim that God made them gay and cry victim at anyone who believes otherwise. Doubtless some have been treated heavy-handedly by churches or promised quick cures by homely, uninformed ministries. But instead of submitting their wounds to God and trustworthy healers, these ones allow bitterness to transform them into the most virulent proponents of gay identity and practice. And in Jesus’ name and authority, the wounded become deceived then deceivers.”
Please give your comments below. I know this is an explosive social issue, but it’s a time when we have to have clarity and when Christians must stand up and speak truth. But we must speak the truth in love.
Steve Strang is the founder and publisher of Charisma. Follow him on Twitter @sstrang or Facebook (stephenestrang).
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