He is now happily married to his husband Dan and is a proud father<\/em>. He founded the organization Making Things Right to invite Christians to reimagine their relationship with LGBTQ+ people\u201d (my emphasis).<\/p>\nTo repeat: this is detestable in God\u2019s sight, no matter how loving, kindhearted, caring, and \u201cChristian\u201d Dan and his partner may be. They are in fundamental violation of the order and plan of the God who Himself is love. They are sinning and they are leading others into sin.<\/p>\n
Yet it is men like Brian and Justin whom Andy chose to have speak at his conference \u2014 not ex-gays, not compassionate Christian counselors with a very different approach, not biblically grounded theologians, not parents of LGBTQ+ identified kids who unconditionally love without affirming.<\/p>\n
How many parents, then, were misled by the examples of Justin and Brian? How many will, in turn, fail in their responsibilities towards their children? How many will embrace a grace (really, pseudo-grace) at the expense of life-changing truth?<\/p>\n
To give an extreme example, think of having a conference on sexual purity in which you invited a \u201cChristian porn actress\u201d to share her own story. \u201cDon\u2019t look to me,\u201d she says to the interested audience. \u201cLook to God and to the Word. I\u2019m just encouraging you to be compassionate and understanding towards those who struggle with porn. And if you\u2019d like more information, you can visit my website, \u2018Christianporn.com.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
As crazy as this seems, is it any crazier than Andy Stanley inviting professing Christians who are \u201cmarried\u201d to their same-sex partners to speak at an LGBTQ+ related conference? Can you imagine Paul asking a homosexual \u201cChristian\u201d couple to share with the Corinthian church about the importance of being loving towards children who struggle with same-sex attraction?<\/p>\n
On the contrary, Paul would have lovingly and firmly called them to repent, and if they refused to repent, he would have called on the Corinthians to excommunicate them (see 1 Corinthians 5).<\/p>\n
Rather than do this, Pastor Andy Stanley gave them a platform \u2014 a very big, influential platform. What a horrible shame. And what lasting damage this will do.<\/p>\n
To be sure, all of us fall short of God\u2019s glory and live in daily need of His grace and mercy. And without question, if we turn to Him in repentance, the blood of Jesus will wash us clean. But if we continue in unrepentant sin, let alone justify it, we will face His judgment.<\/p>\n
It was the Puritan Thomas Manton who said, \u201cFirst we practice sin, then defend it, then boast of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is exactly what Andy Stanley and the Unconditional Conference have done, platforming practicing homosexuals who claim to have the blessing of God on their same-sex relationships.<\/p>\n
May God grant them repentance before it is too late. And may all of us take careful stock of our lives before Him.<\/p>\n
Almost 2,000 years ago, Paul wrote these words to Timothy:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIn the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and His Kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage \u2014 with great patience and careful instruction. 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. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths\u201d (2 Timothy 4:1\u20134).<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Need I say more?<\/p>\n