An Open Letter to Julie Brown

Dear Julie,

I happened to log on your Facebook page a few days ago and noticed your post: “Why are Christians condemning Pete Buttegieg [sic] for being gay? Wasn’t Christ loving and kind and accepting of everyone?” I decided to write a response even though it might trigger a flood of negative comments from fans of yours who won’t respect my beliefs. I’m aware you have a significant following from the LGBTQ community. Therefore, I felt the best approach is to post this letter in my blog and then send you a link to that.

First, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I’m an evangelist who previously sought a secular music career. Like yourself, I’ve had songs aired on the Dr. Demento radio show. I enjoyed many of your recordings and saw the movie “Earth Girls Are Easy” based on your song of the same name. I consider you a talented and attractive performer (I’ve always liked redheads). ;)

You asked why Christians are “condemning” Pete Buttigieg for being gay. I don’t condemn Pete as a person. Jesus died for him as well as everyone else. What Bible-believing Christians don’t agree with are alternative lifestyles that go against Scripture. Personally, I know individuals who overcame same-sex attraction and transgenderism with God’s help. Therefore, I cannot accept the idea that homosexuals and transsexuals are born that way.

What I find more troubling is God-fearing business people being threatened with legal action if they won’t participate in events celebrating these lifestyles. One Christian baker who already won a Supreme Court case supporting his decision not to make a same-sex wedding cake was recently sued again for not making a cake acknowledging a gender transition. A homosexual president would likely condone more persecution like this.

You also asked, “Wasn’t Christ loving and kind and accepting of everyone?” The answer to that question is “no.” Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Throughout the gospels, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their pride and religious hypocrisy.

Jesus did reach out to prostitutes, tax collectors, and other sinners. It wasn’t for the purpose of affirming their sin but to offer redemption. He told one woman caught in adultery, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” (John 8:11) The Lord is saying the same thing today to anyone willing to repent of sexual immorality. 

Hopefully, I’m not coming across as self-righteous. None of us are perfect and deserve to go to heaven. Even if you haven’t had a Christian upbringing, perhaps you’re familiar with John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Everyone has the opportunity to receive the free gift of salvation. My prayer is that you choose to do so. 

Sincerely, 

Todd R. Post

(The artist formerly known as Krypton)

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” - John 3:17-18

Hating Sin, Loving Sinners

Some Christians detest the phrase “hate the sin but love the sinner” (or variations of it) claiming it’s unscriptural. While it may not appear verbatim in the Bible, many verses support that idea. One of the most obvious is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Another one is Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

There are a few Scriptures about God hating certain individuals. Psalm 5:5 says, “You hate all workers of iniquity.” Proverbs 6:19 mentions the Lord hating “a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren.” I believe it’s more accurate to say God hates the actions of unbelievers. 

Jesus said in Luke 14:26, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Does God really want us hating our relatives? Of course not. The word “hate” in this verse would be better rendered as “love less.” What the Lord is saying is we cannot put a family member’s interests ahead of God’s. We should also be praying for our lost loved ones until they hopefully “come to themselves.” Christians shouldn’t have a condescending attitude like the prodigal son’s older brother in Luke 15 or the Pharisees who caught the woman in adultery in John 8. 

Look how the Lord responded to the rich young ruler who approached Him in Mark 10:21, “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’” Jesus loved this man even though he valued his possessions more that following the Son of God.

God doesn’t love the world system that condones and encourages sin but certainly the people in it. That’s why He gave us Jesus. Therefore, Christians should love sinners not by condoning their sinful actions but by sharing the gospel with them.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” - 1 John 4:10-11

Why Not Newt?

During every election, I usually vote for Republican candidates since they tend to make decisions more in line with the Word of God than Democrats. While President Obama will likely be the Democratic nominee again this year, the Republican nomination may not be decided for a while. One man who might represent the GOP in November is Newt Gingrich. 

Last weekend, the former House Speaker came from behind in the polls to win the South Carolina Primary. This was surprising especially since two days before, the ABC news program “Nightline” aired a controversial interview with one of Newt’s former wives. Marianne Gingrich claimed that prior to their divorce, her husband wanted “an open marriage” (allowing for him to have a wife and a mistress at the same time). Newt has refuted his ex-wife’s claims.

Many people are quick to criticize Newt Gingrich because he cheated on his two ex-wives and got married a third time. However, he has repented as a result of his conversion to Catholicism. Newt told CBN News, “I have confessed my weaknesses, and I have had to go to God for forgiveness and reconciliation.” Since I have also gone through two divorces (but because of ex-wives being unfaithful to me), I can somewhat relate to the flak Newt has experienced.

For those of you uncomfortable with Newt Gingrich’s past sins, remember that Jesus told the Pharisees regarding the woman caught in adultery, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7) Let’s not forget other U. S. Presidents such as Bill Clinton had extramarital affairs while in office. Certainly, I’m not condoning adultery by our politicians. But God has used leaders like King David who committed adultery but were quick to repent.

The day after the South Carolina primary, I happened to watch YouTube videos of Newt Gingrich speaking last year at John Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas. I was impressed with Newt’s knowledge of American history, his support for Israel, and especially his desire to see our country’s godly heritage restored.

I also like the fact Newt wants to revive our nation’s declining space program and put a permanent American base on the moon by 2020. As long as our more immediate problems on Earth are solved, the United States could have a very exciting future.

This article is not an official endorsement of Newt Gingrich for President. Unless a Democrat or independent politician rises up whose voting record is more closely aligned with the Judeo-Christian ethic, I’m praying for God’s choice to win the Republican nomination and the subsequent election. I will say I’d rather have Newt in the Oval Office instead of a Commander-in-Chief who condones killing unborn children and celebrates homosexuality in the White House.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; But when a wicked man rules, the people groan.” - Proverbs 29:2