Posted on 01/20/2024 7:06:50 PM PST by Morgana
In 2014, Russell Moore, then president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) advised Southern Baptists to attend a “gay wedding” reception as a gesture of affection towards a homosexual friend or relative. Moore was criticized for this stance, and rightly so, yet this stance was quickly adopted by the progressive stream of Southern Baptists and Evangelicals and has become the norm within movements such as Revoice.
Yet, Moore’s advice is inextricably entangled with a fundamental flaw—it tacitly endorses what Scripture explicitly identifies as an ungodly union. The Bible’s portrayal of marriage as a sacred covenant between a man and a woman is clear and non-negotiable. Deviating from this divine decree is not merely a transgression, it’s an act of defiance against God’s sovereignty. Participation in such ceremonies is far from benign, it’s a visible, public affirmation of a relationship that stands in direct opposition to the sanctity of marriage as ordained by God.
But, to be fair, Moore only suggested that one attend the reception, but not the actual wedding. Which is why it is amazing that any supposedly solid, Reformed Christian would not only take that stance, but take it even further, recommending to his followers that they not only attend the reception, but the actual ceremony as well—and to buy them a gift. But this is what Alistair Begg has done.
Alistair Begg is a widely respected pastor, author, and Bible teacher known for his evangelical Christian teachings and his leadership as senior pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio. During a recent podcast, Begg took a question from a listener who asked him about their grandson getting “married” to a transgender person.
I asked the grandmother, does your grandson understand your belief in Jesus? Yes. Does your grandson understand that your belief in Jesus makes it such that you can’t countenance in any affirming way the choices that he has made in life? Yes. I said, well, then, okay. As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony, and I suggest that you buy them a gift. Join Us and Get These Perks: ✅ No Ads in Articles ✅ Access to Comments and Discussions ✅ Community Chats ✅ Full Article and Podcast Archive ✅ The Joy of Supporting Our Work 😉
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Listen to the justification Begg gives for allowing such evil. The Bible doesn’t say that we can participate in evil so long as the people we are participating in it with understand that we believe in Jesus. The Bible says the exact opposite—it says to Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph 5:11). What is a more unfruitful work of darkness than celebrating something that God despises with every fiber of His being? Was God there celebrating? No. What is God’s disposition toward such wickedness? That should be our disposition.
This is absolutely horrifying to hear coming from a man who is supposed to be as well-respected as Alistair Begg. Sadly, he’s been sliding for a number of years, and this is just the logical end of his compromise and typical of those influenced by The Gospel Coalition.
Here’s the clip: VIDEO ON LINK
No.
I never put Alastair Begg into the same category as Russell Moore, Tim Keller, or Rick Warren, liberals who hide behind Biblical language and evangelical pedigrees. His sermons always seemed orthodox and Scriptural. I was wrong. The Gospel Coalition and Sojourners are to this century what the modernists of the last century were: subversive of the Gospel.
2 Timothy 4:3
For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
Nope
Yes...and I’ve seen ones that I always doubted being real pastors but after watching them in action my doubts are gone. I just wish I could tell President Trump to distance himself from Paula White and Kenneth Copeland.
Well, that’s a disappointment. So few solid shepherds it seems.
I Begg to disagree.
No way.
It’s obvious that we are living in the last days.
Looks that way. Nevertheless, pray for Revival.
By a miracle of the Lord, it could still happen.
Calvinism is not Christianity.
People seem to be fascinated by charming preachers with a foreign accent.
Explain. Please.
This is really sad. Telling believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to go to a pagan ceremony that MOCKS marriage.
Pastor Begg KNOWS that marriage is a picture of relation of Christ and His Bride (i.e., the Church).
I figure it is waste of time to argue with him on this. He made an emotional decision, and is only trying to justify it.
You shouldn’t “shame” people, but you also don’t love people by not telling the truth and keeping them in darkness. Engaging in behavior that gives support or approval to sin is not showing truth in love.
Calvinism/Reformed Theology emphasizes the Sovereignty of God
Why would you say otherwise?
Kind of a tough one. Jesus had dinner(a big thing) with prostitutes and drunks and was severely criticized for it.
He also asked for forgiveness to those who crucified him.
But he had exhibited such power the people who ate with him were probably in awe.
Then again, I don’t think Christ would have dinner (an accepting social event) with people who openly and viciously mocked God or him.
Misleading headline...He did not say “Christians shpuld attend LGBTQ weddings”. His comment was in answer to one specific question by one individual, Instead of joining the hysteria by the holier than thou crowd I’ll wait for Pastor Begg’s response.
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