A member of my church asked me to write a response to the recent news from Brandon and Jen Hatmaker regarding their stance on same sex marriage and LGBTQ. The firestorm (though probably more of a tempest in a tea kettle) began with the publication of an interview between Jen Hatmaker and Jonathan Merritt that outlines her “politics.” Lest there be any question as to whether or not husband and wife are on the same page, Brandon released a statement on Facebook titled Where I Stand on LGBTQ…. explaining,
Jen and I are 100% on the same page regarding her recent interview about our love and hope for the LGBTQ community. This is a journey we have been on together. We both believe a same-sex marriage, as a life-long monogamous commitment, can be holy before God.
I was not surprised by this announcement. Jen Hatmaker has walked in gray areas for quite some time and has not been willing to clearly articulate her stance on this issue. Nevertheless, anytime a semi-well known evangelical comes out in support of same sex marriage, it becomes a sort of internet side show. As a result, I was hesitant to write on this situation, but because I was asked to and because I know that Jen Hatmaker has had an influence on many Christian women, here are some thoughts and links to a few articles that I would strongly encourage you to read.
- Weep first. Alistair Begg once said, “Until the church learns how to cry, it loses any right to shout.” Regarding the LGBTQ community, the church has shouted too much while ignoring those who are hurting and in need of a safe place to hear Christ’s love. Yes, homosexuality is clearly a sin according to the Bible, but so is divorce and heterosexual sex outside of marriage. Weep for those who buy Satan’s lies about sin and share with them the better way of Christ.
- Feelings are not enough. The lack of coherent biblical argument (Brandon only mentions two Bible references) from both of the Hatmakers is nothing new in this debate (See Kevin DeYoung’s article on the Hatmaker Hermeneutic). I have said many times that I have more respect for liberal theologians who speak with a consistent hermeneutic on this issue than for those who choose to bend their hermeneutic to allow for same sex marriage. Those wishing to remain committed to the Bible work to suggest that Paul and others had a different definition for sexuality and sexual sin than we do today. Liberal theologians show greater intellectual honesty and integrity by acknowledging Paul’s writings and then claiming that Paul was wrong. Feelings are not enough to build a theology. Emotions and experience matter in the Christian life, but your emotions are not God nor are they equivalent to God’s Word.
- The Bible matters more. Just because Brandon Hatmaker or David Gushee or Nicholas Wolterstorff, or anyone else decides to declare homosexuality blessed by God does not mean that God has done so. Rosaria Butterfield has probably the best response to Jen Hatmaker with the strong reminder that following Jesus means dying to self. Butterfield, who came to Christ out of a lesbian lifestyle writes,
Today, I hear Jen’s words—words meant to encourage, not discourage, to build up, not tear down, to defend the marginalized, not broker unearned power—and a thin trickle of sweat creeps down my back. If I were still in the thick of the battle over the indwelling sin of lesbian desire, Jen’s words would have put a millstone around my neck.
- Women, you must demand more than creativity and novelty in those whom you follow. I am encouraged to see greater depth and breadth coming to women’s ministry through writers and teachers like Rosaria Butterfield, Aimee Byrd, and Jen Wilkin. Jen Hatmaker writes well and appeals to the creative and emotional side of women, but the church must demand that those it trusts be more than good communicators. We must demand theological fidelity in all aspects of ministry. (As a side note, Brandon mentioned that they have been “bullied” into taking a stance. Though I do not know for certain what he is speaking about, it is worth noting that their publishers and publicists are well within their rights to demand to know exactly what this couple believes. Publishers put their name and reputation on the line with the authors they promote. Not being honest about their beliefs with their publishers would show a great lack of integrity)
- False dichotomies must be resisted. Based on the Hatmaker’s arguments you can either bless homosexual relationships and love those living with homosexual desires or you don’t really care about those living with homosexual desires. We can both love people and pray and desire that they would change. There isn’t room here for a thorough discussion, but by the Hatmaker’s logic, it seems that a person can’t love someone and urge them to walk away from a destructive relationship because true love means affirming a person’s romantic feelings and desires. False dichotomies are straw men arguments. Christians can and must love those who are trapped in sin, but we can love them in their sin and extend to them the offer of repentance and salvation that is found in Christ. Christian love should always be characterized by a desire to see those who are the objects of love rescued from their sin.
The Protestant Reformation was launched on October 31 1517 when Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church. Luther’s story reaches something of a climax at Worms where, according to historical legend, Luther defended his position before the Holy Roman Emperor and concluded with the words, “Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me.” The Hatmakers have clearly explained “Where I Stand on LGTBQ…” As a man committed to the Bible, I must respond quite frankly, that I stand with Paul and the biblical witness. My stance forces me to call all people, including the man in the mirror, to turn from all sin–regardless of how much we may love our sin–and turn to Christ. Here I stand. Here I will dig my foundation. I can do no other.
