Jennifer Knapp: What Are You Going To Do As Homosexuals Come to Church?

[John Dobbs]

Recently Christian music performer and song writer Jennifer Knapp revealed that she is a homosexual. Not just someone with homosexual urges, but someone in a long term relationship with another woman. So we’re out of the thought realm and into the real life realm. There are several interviews including one with Christianity Today. She is not the first Christian music artist to declare this sexual orientation. In 2008 Ray Boltz ended his Christian music career with the same pronouncement. Others have admitted struggles and some have pronounced themselves as overcomers. But Jennifer Knapp has brought this to our attention once again.

In the blogs and Facebook comments I’ve read, there seems to be a bit of handwringing about what to do. On the one hand there are those who now will pray for Jennifer to be restored back to faith and consider her lost to Satan until that happens. On the other hand there are the folks who do not want to be seen condemning any sin at all, and would just say we need to accept her as she is. 

You know, it’s easy to have conversation about this because to most of us Jennifer Knapp is a figure in the media. Celebrities should not decide our belief on any subject that God has already addressed.  If it hasn’t happened yet, there will one day be someone just like her in your church. And they won’t be someone at some distance somewhere, but they will  be someone about whom you care deeply.

So whether you buy Jennifer Knapp’s CD or not is immaterial to me. Do you like to hear her sing? Do you like her music? Then buy it. I do not regard you as sinning in doing so. In fact, I’d rather you buy Knapp’s CD than some of the garbage that might be inhabiting your CD collection. If you have scruples about buying her CD, then don’t. Let’s not judge each other on an issue like this. Because a much bigger issue is on the horizon. And that is what to do about homosexual believers who love God but remain in that lifestyle?

Jennifer Knapp says she has thought through her situation and does not regard herself as leaving the faith. Hasn’t everyone had big issues that they either glossed over or explained away? Whatever Jennifer’s thoughts are about homosexuality, it doesn’t change what the Scriptures plainly say.

Though it is not simple, that is the answer. The Scriptures tell us about this sin (and many others – some of which you and I are guilty). Those who are committed to Christ are struggling to be transformed in such away as to leave behind this and other sins. While we’re on this journey, we have the privilege of loving others who also walk with us.

Jennifer has let it be known that she isn’t walking away from this lifestyle. I hope she changes her mind. But God will be her judge on that matter, and He will do what is right. In the mean time, I would hope that Christians would be filled with mercy and grace, treating her with love. Who knows but that one day she might take another look at this issue. If so, let’s not have her looking at Christ through the lens of angry hateful speech and rejection. And likewise the person in your church who will surprise you one day with a similar choice. Can you love them with the love of Christ, who calls all people toward holiness?

Love to hear your thoughts.

[James Nored]

John, thanks for posting this here. John posted this originally on his blog. You might want to check out some of the thoughtful posts there.

I do believe that homosexuality is a sin. But so is pride, uncontrolled anger, and gossip. I'm not telling anyone to buy or not buy her music. I actually don't know if I have heard any of her songs. But we certainly do not boycott, say, Dallas Cowboys games where pride or showboating are on full display.

I am interested in others' thoughts on this. Remember, this is a public forum, so please keep your comments here polite and mindful of this.

[Veto F. Roley]

I don't know who Jennifer Knapp is. I don't think she will be singing on the same program with Naomi and the Segos, the Florida Boys, the Chuckwagon Gang or the Birmingham Sunlights anytime soon.

However, I agree with you that our response to sin should not be putting a divider between God, who is often seen by sinners through His church and those who claim a faith relationship with Him, and sinners. Yes, public sin, such as homosexuality, does change the way that Christians can interact with the sinner, for Christians can not endorse sin. However, our response to sinners, even those who commit public sin and even those who have left the faith for a life of public sin, should always be filled with grace and mercy. We need to remind ourselves that we all have weaknesses, a besetting sin, if you will, that we need grace and mercy to handle. While there are several real differences between the one who lives with the Holy Spirit and the one who lives hostile to the Holy Spirit, and these are the only two choices, George Jones did, on one level, have it right when he sang, "The only difference between sinners and saints/Is one is saved and the other one ain't." Sin is part of the human condition and all us struggle with it and, in my opinion, those who do not struggle with some sin, who do not realize they have some weakness, are in denial and great danger. So we remind ourselves of our personal need of grace and mercy and bestow that grace and mercy on others.

And, if we treat others like God treats us, with grace and mercy, and are kind and gracious in our presentation of Truth -- and I believe that God's way is Truth, even if I rarely, if ever, measure up to His way -- then we bring others to God. At the very worst, if we are kind toward the sinner, we remove ourselves and the church as an excuse for their continued rebellion against God.

[John Dobbs]

Veto...that was stated with eloquence and certainty. Thank you for that. I miss you brother!

Veto F. Roley said:

I don't know who Jennifer Knapp is. I don't think she will be singing on the same program with Naomi and the Segos, the Florida Boys, the Chuckwagon Gang or the Birmingham Sunlights anytime soon.

However, I agree with you that our response to sin should not be putting a divider between God, who is often seen by sinners through His church and those who claim a faith relationship with Him, and sinners. Yes, public sin, such as homosexuality, does change the way that Christians can interact with the sinner, for Christians can not endorse sin. However, our response to sinners, even those who commit public sin and even those who have left the faith for a life of public sin, should always be filled with grace and mercy. We need to remind ourselves that we all have weaknesses, a besetting sin, if you will, that we need grace and mercy to handle. While there are several real differences between the one who lives with the Holy Spirit and the one who lives hostile to the Holy Spirit, and these are the only two choices, George Jones did, on one level, have it right when he sang, "The only difference between sinners and saints/Is one is saved and the other one ain't." Sin is part of the human condition and all us struggle with it and, in my opinion, those who do not struggle with some sin, who do not realize they have some weakness, are in denial and great danger. So we remind ourselves of our personal need of grace and mercy and bestow that grace and mercy on others.

And, if we treat others like God treats us, with grace and mercy, and are kind and gracious in our presentation of Truth -- and I believe that God's way is Truth, even if I rarely, if ever, measure up to His way -- then we bring others to God. At the very worst, if we are kind toward the sinner, we remove ourselves and the church as an excuse for their continued rebellion against God.

[John Dobbs]

I like that point Doug. Thanks!

Doug Young said:

John,

I'm not a fan of her music, but have noticed the outcries since her coming out of the closet. I'm glad she came out, though. At least now there is a chance for God to work through those closest to her. Transparency is the first step.

[Bartlett Cleland]

I am perhaps not sophisticated enough to understand the potential nuances but I sort of do not even understand how there is a question at all. I simply see it this way - What Are We Going To Do As SINNERS Come To Church? Hmmmm, I washed up on the shores The Church as a 30 year old sinner...riddled with sin. Those with whom I came into contact knew exactly what to do - Show Jesus. They demonstrated patience, understanding, gentle encouragement and love for someone whom they did not even know. So, what are we to do? Seems the same thing that Christians have always done....or at least have done since I REALLY got to know them in 1999.

Please excuse all this if I am way off point and attribute it to one of my persisting sins of not studying and praying near enough.

[John Dobbs]

no no no Bartlett...I LOVE your answer! It fills me with joy. Thank you.

Bartlett Cleland said:

I am perhaps not sophisticated enough to understand the potential nuances but I sort of do not even understand how there is a question at all. I simply see it this way - What Are We Going To Do As SINNERS Come To Church? Hmmmm, I washed up on the shores The Church as a 30 year old sinner...riddled with sin. Those with whom I came into contact knew exactly what to do - Show Jesus. They demonstrated patience, understanding, gentle encouragement and love for someone whom they did not even know. So, what are we to do? Seems the same thing that Christians have always done....or at least have done since I REALLY got to know them in 1999.

Please excuse all this if I am way off point and attribute it to one of my persisting sins of not studying and praying near enough.

[Darin Hamm]

I have read a great deal on how different denominations have handled this scenario over the past several years. I have read how the Anglicans/Episcopalians, Mennonites and Presbyterians dealt with this topic. I find it fascinating that the pattern is always the same and at some point the people who either side with or are being loved and accepted in spite of their sin become the majority position. If I understand Ms. Knapp believes God accepts her as she is and sees nothing sinful about her life.

I might ask the question back to everyone differently. What would you do if someone came into your church who was openly sleeping around and had no problem with it? What would you do when they told everyone it was fine and brought a different woman each Sunday to church and talked to everyone about how much fun they were having? What would you do when they went to your youth group and began to extol the virtue in having multiple sex partners? What would love say you do?

What would you do if an alcoholic came to your church and wanted to be involved and continued to openly drink and came to church each Sunday drunk? If they told everyone else in church that getting drunk was acceptable and no big deal and God actually was okay with it and invited everyone over for parties what would you do? When your youth group began having wild drinking parties because it is actually what God wants what would you do?

I would be interested to hear how you deal with those two situations because to me it would be very relevant.

[John Dobbs]

Darin, I'm sorry for the delay of reply here...have been out of town for a few days. You asked some good questions. I suppose that the example of the fornicator and the alcoholic are meant to be identical (or close) to the homosexual coming to church. And I think that if the homosexual acted as you portrayed the other two to behave, it would certainly need to be dealt with on a different level than we have all be talking about - and that's a good thing to talk about. In my mind I have had a picture of someone (or a couple) attending church and being treated well while the culture of the church made it obvious that this sexual union is not acceptable to God. For those who openly promote, engage our young people, attempt to drag others into the lifestyles, we would have to address those issues a la Matthew 18.

Other than that I expect that there are people in our pews each Sunday who drink to excess, have problems with fornication / adultery / homosexuality. The hope is that they will find freedom and victory through Jesus Christ.

Now if I missed your point entirely, feel free to point me to the obvious. :)
john

Darin Hamm said:

I have read a great deal on how different denominations have handled this scenario over the past several years. I have read how the Anglicans/Episcopalians, Mennonites and Presbyterians dealt with this topic. I find it fascinating that the pattern is always the same and at some point the people who either side with or are being loved and accepted in spite of their sin become the majority position. If I understand Ms. Knapp believes God accepts her as she is and sees nothing sinful about her life.

I might ask the question back to everyone differently. What would you do if someone came into your church who was openly sleeping around and had no problem with it? What would you do when they told everyone it was fine and brought a different woman each Sunday to church and talked to everyone about how much fun they were having? What would you do when they went to your youth group and began to extol the virtue in having multiple sex partners? What would love say you do?

What would you do if an alcoholic came to your church and wanted to be involved and continued to openly drink and came to church each Sunday drunk? If they told everyone else in church that getting drunk was acceptable and no big deal and God actually was okay with it and invited everyone over for parties what would you do? When your youth group began having wild drinking parties because it is actually what God wants what would you do?

I would be interested to hear how you deal with those two situations because to me it would be very relevant.

[John Dobbs]

Odd article, Adam. Your'e right. The author does not make his case in my opinion... Christian music is a BIG business with lots of people... he's only able to pull a few names out of the hat. I think the "connection" isn't there. jd

Adam Gonnerman said:

I came across an article this morning suggesting a connection between Christian music and homosexuality. Weird.

http://is.gd/bOmS8

[Darin Hamm]

John,

I wouldn't say close as it relates to homosexual's coming to church. To me that is not this story. This story is someone saying it is okay and not a struggle because this is how God wants it to be.

I agree with what you are saying. If I have a couple come I have no issue but even with that you can have someone struggling or someone trying to make a point. That was my point. It seemed like the discussion was not based on the situation. I am quick to invite anyone no matter where they are at to worship with us and want all of them to feel welcome. So I guess I was agreeing with you and yet trying to point out I didn't think that was the situation at hand.

I always appreciate and respect your opinion and thanks for the response.

John Dobbs said:

Darin, I'm sorry for the delay of reply here...have been out of town for a few days. You asked some good questions. I suppose that the example of the fornicator and the alcoholic are meant to be identical (or close) to the homosexual coming to church. And I think that if the homosexual acted as you portrayed the other two to behave, it would certainly need to be dealt with on a different level than we have all be talking about - and that's a good thing to talk about. In my mind I have had a picture of someone (or a couple) attending church and being treated well while the culture of the church made it obvious that this sexual union is not acceptable to God. For those who openly promote, engage our young people, attempt to drag others into the lifestyles, we would have to address those issues a la Matthew 18.

Other than that I expect that there are people in our pews each Sunday who drink to excess, have problems with fornication / adultery / homosexuality. The hope is that they will find freedom and victory through Jesus Christ.

Now if I missed your point entirely, feel free to point me to the obvious. :)
john

Darin Hamm said:

I have read a great deal on how different denominations have handled this scenario over the past several years. I have read how the Anglicans/Episcopalians, Mennonites and Presbyterians dealt with this topic. I find it fascinating that the pattern is always the same and at some point the people who either side with or are being loved and accepted in spite of their sin become the majority position. If I understand Ms. Knapp believes God accepts her as she is and sees nothing sinful about her life.

I might ask the question back to everyone differently. What would you do if someone came into your church who was openly sleeping around and had no problem with it? What would you do when they told everyone it was fine and brought a different woman each Sunday to church and talked to everyone about how much fun they were having? What would you do when they went to your youth group and began to extol the virtue in having multiple sex partners? What would love say you do?

What would you do if an alcoholic came to your church and wanted to be involved and continued to openly drink and came to church each Sunday drunk? If they told everyone else in church that getting drunk was acceptable and no big deal and God actually was okay with it and invited everyone over for parties what would you do? When your youth group began having wild drinking parties because it is actually what God wants what would you do?

I would be interested to hear how you deal with those two situations because to me it would be very relevant.