Some thoughts on the Giglio Controversy

I don't often take the time in this blog (actually I'm not sure I ever have) to write on current issues.  However, the whole Louie Giglio controversy is bothering me.  I have read a few of the statements on it and I realize that the likelihood is that Pastor Giglio was "disinvited" by the committee when it was discovered that he had differing views (aka - biblical views) on homosexuality.  Much of the blogosphere is addressing this issue and some of it is even quite humorous.  For example, one of my favorite Tweets about it was from @TonyReinke:  

Imagine the presidential inauguration committee's panic if they discovered what's in those inauguration Bibles!

However, there are also pleas throughout the blogs that the President ought to put a stop to the LGBTQ community in their vitriol and hatred of those who have a different opinion.  He should use his bully pulpit to bring civility back to discussion where differing views are held.  There are some who have called it Moral McCarthyism.  Others have called what's happened evidence of a new 'State church.'  These are very well-written responses to what has happened, but I wonder if they miss the point.  

It is wrong that Giglio was "disinvited" and it is sad that the historic, biblical Christian faith is ridiculed as less than loving.  However, as I have been preparing for Sunday morning and studying 1 Peter 3:13-17 I wonder if how we are approaching this situation is a bit off.  

Here is the text:  

¹³ Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? ¹⁴ But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, ¹⁵ but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, ¹⁶ having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. ¹⁷ For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil. 

It seems to me that we are more concerned with how others are responding to Christian beliefs than we are with how we are responding as Christians.  Yes, there may come a time when it is considered "illegal" to speak out against homosexuality.  There may come a time when Christian pastors are thrown in jail in America for standing up for biblical truth.  But truly - who is there to harm us (cf. Romans 8:31)?  God is against evil (1 Peter 3:12).  He is more against it than we are and that was proven in the Cross of Christ.  Our call is to suffer if that is what God wills and in that we will be blessed.  We should have no fear of them, nor be troubled.  What we should do is pray for our President and leaders and plead with our Lord to change hearts miraculously not rest in the President making it all better.  We can too easily get distracted from our call - to continue to fear the Lord, to honor him as holy in all we do and to be “zealous for good.”  

As believers we have hope – let us show that.  Let us live such good lives among the nations that they will see our good deeds and will glorify God on the day of visitation (1 Peter 2:21).  And not only that, let us live such good lives – responding with gentleness and respect, with a good conscience so that those who slander believers will be put to shame.  Let us give them to Gospel and let us present before them a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense not by being jerks and demanding things, but by being loving and giving them Christ. 

This is not to say that I am not concerned with where this country is headed.  I am.  I pray for the President and the moral relativism that is rampant, but it is not out of God's hands (that's exactly why I pray) and as a believer my call is clear.  Love, and be a blessing by proclaiming Christ all the more.