Gays in Gospel Music

I have never been able to understand how a man can stand in a pulpit night after
night and sing, testify, and proclaim the gospel in song and yet be a homosexual.
How does one practice this lifestyle without condemnation and guilt?
In Romans 1:24-27 " Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their own hearts
to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, abandoning
them to the degrading power of sin. " Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie
and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever.
And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze with lust
for one another, men comitting shameful acts with men and suffering in their own bodies
and personalities the inevitable consequence and penalty of their wrong doing and going
astray, which was fitting retribution.
On many other Gospel Music sites, I have noticed everyone trying to diagnose whats wrong
with southern gospel music. This looks like a good place to start, if God is to revive our
industry, we must clean house. These quartets that hire homosexuals should step up to
the plate and be honest with the church. They deserve that much. Hey, I have a great idea
lets stop looking the other way, just because they may have some talent.
Blessings
Eric

Comments

1. He also says "Judge not, lest ye be judged". This is their cross to bear, not yours. It may be wrong, but who are we to judge. We all have skelatons in our closets. "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone". He also says to "pray constantly". Maybe instead of judging others, we should drop to our knees and pray for them instead of judging the habits of others.
   Posted by  on  07/17  at  03:35 PM


2. Hello Friend, I think living a homosexual lifestyle is more than just a bad habit.
   Also, blog is to judge the sin not the sinner.
   Your position on the matter is exactily what I mean by looking the other way.
   Blessings
   Eric
   Posted by  on  07/18  at  05:33 PM


3. You can't judge the sin without judging the sinner. Without the sinner, the sin wouldn't need to exsist. How is praying for someone looking the other way? God tells us to "pray constantly". Not even you can turn a homosexual from gay to straight. This is a decision that they made. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and my opinion is that you have too much time on your hands to sit around worrying about what gay people are doing. Prayer is the answer to everything.
   Posted by  on  07/21  at  12:00 PM


4. Jonah, praying for someone who is a homosexual does absolutely nothing. Unless the homosexual desires to change, your prayers and mine will do absolutely nothing. God will not force our will or His on anyone. You are offering "pie in the sky resolve" to a serious issue in gospel music.
   I will always make time to acknowledge right and wrong in the industry I love.
   Thanks for responding.
   Blessings,
   Eric
   Posted by  on  07/21  at  09:28 PM


5. "With God all things are possible".
   
   Complaining about it will get you nothing and nowhere. I don't know the sexual orientation of those who perform. I've never been to a church where that information was required to enter. The sins of the heart however is between God and the sinner. I don't know anyone who is without sin. God given talent should be used to glorify God. If God sees fit to bless someone with a talent and they use it to glorify His name then there shouldn't be any question about the talent. As for being gay...leave it to God and the sinner to resolve.
   Posted by  on  07/22  at  11:05 AM


6. Hello Jonah, we must agree to disagree, however im begining to get somewhat suspicious, because you are so defensive of homesexuality. I will pray for you. Remember my first blog, God is very specific on His feelings about this issue, it has no place in gospel music friend.
   Blessings,
   Eric
   Posted by  on  07/22  at  11:45 AM


7. I'm not defending homosexuality. You are reading into what you want to hear. If you're thinking that I'm gay, you're dead wrong. I know what the Bible says on the subject. I'm not saying it's right. I'm saying that if God gave them the talent that they should use it. As far as being gay, let God deal with it. It has nothing to do with you or I. I will also pray for you.
   Posted by  on  07/22  at  12:22 PM


8. It seems to me we are being rather selective with which sin we choose to "pick on" here.
   
   Bible says sin is sin. No one sin is greater than another.
   
   We seem to be more than willing to pick on the "sexual sin" so to speak, because as a church we have made sex such a taboo subject. I think the church would do well to do some reading of Song of Solomon.
   
   If we want to "sin battle" so to speak and sin is sin as the bible says, then it would also be safe to say that one that is overweight would also not be worthy of getting up and singing, and one that has committed adultry would not be worthy of getting up and singing and also one that is judgemental would not be able to get up and sing.
   
   I frankly, think as a church we have seriously dropped the ball. We have developed a picture of what WE think a Christian should look like and if someone does not fit in to this picture, we simply go to our list of sin and shun them.
   
   Would it not be more benficial to all sinners to show mercy, compassion and love and Grace. Would that then not create a less hostile environment and minister to them in a more meaningful way?
   
   I think that is what Jesus would do.
   Posted by  on  08/09  at  12:57 PM


9. I think E. Stephens' point of comment was to call attention to an epidemic within the S. G. music industry, for all to ponder why it is so predominent and accepted within this arena.
   
   I think all Christians agree all sin is sin; however, God does call some sins an abomination- which is greater to God. Homosexuality is an abomination to God- so says God. So if God is so disguisted by it, why aren't Christians also disguisted by it? Christians have become so "politically correct", so to not offend, we will just pray for the brother who is in sin...almost passively accepting this sin by default.
   
   If a prostitute worked the streets on Saturday night and taught Sunday School the next morning, I think her lifestyle would be abominable and unacceptable within the body of Christ. SHE would be accepted, but her sin would not be accepted, especially in a place of service in the Church.
   
   I do believe God wants his cleaniest vessels for His service, and I don't think living an abominable lifestyle qualifies as such. We are to TURN from our sins... not live in them.
   
   Bottom line: love the sinner; hate the sin. Preachers used to preach hell and damnation, and call sin SIN. I think E. S. was clear that he was talking of the sin and not the sinner... "for we all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God"....
   Posted by  on  08/11  at  04:46 PM


10. It's still judgement on E.S part and we're not suppose to do that either. Let God deal with it. Pointing fingers at the sin or those who are sinning won't change anything. Being gay or being a prostitute may be wrong but they have also been pulled from the gutter along with drunks and drug addicts and served in pulpits/churches along with those who have done none of these things. Like Jonah said..."Judge not lest ye be judged".
    Posted by  on  08/11  at  08:15 PM


11. Hello Josh, and thanks for responding to the forum. I have grown up in the gospel music industry and have come in contact with many singers that are gay. In my opinion, i feel there is something about our business that attracts these persons with this particular spiritual sickness. Of course I have many opinions why this is and thats not really the point of the teaching. The question is raised not to judge, but I choose to deem it necessary to make good judgments, in order to have a successful ministry. My "gut feeling" and the Bible,confirm to me that homosexuals have no place in gospel music and I will go as far as to say the groups that hire them, are not using good judgement.
    Posted by  on  08/11  at  09:34 PM


12. Hey Josh! I don't think you quite understood my post. You said, "Being gay or being a prostitute MAY be wrong but they have also been pulled from the gutter..." 2 corrections to note:
    1. Being a prostitute or gay MAY be wrong- no! it is definitely wrong... defying the Temple of God, our body, ya-that's wrong.
    2. You said they have been pulled from the gutter to serve... no! Wrong again! They still live in the gutter. There is a difference from living a sinful life and sinning in life. Because of the sinful nature, we all sin. However, we can choose to ask forgiveness and turn from our sin or we can do otherwise- continue in our sinful ways. There is 2 parts to true repentance- asking forgiveness, and then turning from your sin.
    
    If you are truly a born-again child of God, then you don't want to life an abominable life of sin, you want to walk in Light, serving God with the cleanist and most usable vessel. I think we as Christians forget how sacred our God is, and how sacred our lives our... "We are bought with a price... we are not our own."
    
    I think you are taking JUDGEMENT out of context. Everyone must make judgements every day of living.. choosing a mate, friends, employment, a church family, etc... Choices or judgements as such are made with DISCERNMENT. You would not accept a pastor for you or your family who was homosexual or an alcoholic, so what makes it okay to dismiss this sin in a music ministry that is to uplift the Name of our God? How many preachers have you known to leave their pulpits for such sins? I doubt a pastor or leader in a church would receive such love and tolerance as you have stated we should display for homosexuals in S. G. music. You say we should just love them and pray for them. Then why are pastors, deacons, etc.. removed from position for exposures of such abominable sins? Loving and praying for "the sinner" is something completely different from overlooking a lifestyle of sin and reproach for the sake of talent, God-given talent at that.....
    
    I just don't understand the passivity of this generation. As the world has become more wicked, so have God's peoplebecome more tolerant of sin. As the line between right and wrong has blurred, we have lost our boldness.. thus the condition of the Church has been spiritually weakened... We are the salt of the earth... are we losing our flavor?
    Posted by  on  08/11  at  10:07 PM


13. Personally, I think Eric Stephens and yours truly are one in the same. Secondly, I know that both lifestyles are wrong. What I said is that these (not all) people have been pulled from gutters, meaning they had turned their lives over to God. Don't twist my words. If you or anyone eles think that they can solve a person's sexuality then you should take it up with those that it applies. How many times have you heard of Catholic preists molesting the alter boys in their churches. That's a sin too! I've been in church all my life too. I was taught to pray for those who are on the wrong path. Homosexuals sicken me but I can't change their lifestyle; it's something that they have to do. The church that I grew up in, the pastor was an alcoholic before he was saved. He will always be an alcoholic even if he never drinks another drop.
    
    Judgement and choice are two different things. Judgement is pointing out the faults of another. Choice is a decision that is made for one's self.
    
    Why is so important for everyone to know everyones' sexuality? That's personal matter. For the record I am not gay. We should love the person not their lifestyle. We should also pray for them as we would any other person.
    Posted by  on  08/11  at  11:18 PM


14. Okay, I figured that this would be the typical response we might get here, this whole abomination thing.
    
    Seems we have forgotten the lesson of Mary Magdalene. How did Jesus deal with her, not by hating her, or "her sin" which is nothing more than a justification for judging someone. He dealt with her by loving her, showing her mercy and grace. Yes she made the choice to turn her life around, but only after she was shown this mercy and love and grace. The religious people wanted to stone her...seems like that hasn't changed much.
    
    Let's take that lesson and apply it here. It seems if someone has any issue involving sex, the church wants to immediatly shame them and boot them to the curve so to speak. A "sexual" issue has always seemed to be the big bad wolf when it comes to the more "religious" types. If we apply the lesson of Mary, it seems to me we would get further along, if we dealt with people that have sexual issues by offering to love them, and show them mercy and grace as Jesus would do.
    
    I was raised a preachers kid, and I can tell you this based on growing up a PK. Some of the most hateful, judegemental, destructive people on this planet, are sitting in the pews on Sunday mornings.
    
    The mere idea, that we are in the position to judge anyone, not only displays immense arrogance on our part, as though we have any right to act as though we are free from sin ourselves, but is not Godly. (remember the plank in your own eye).
    
    I can't help but think back to my original post, Being overweight would be a sin by some standards (Gluttony), Being an adulterer (there are many ways to commit adultry, not just sex), Being judgemental would also be sin. Again, I can't help but wonder why the church continues to select which sins it chooses to "enforce". Imagine the trouble it would cause if we were to enforce the Gluttony sin.
    
    Seems to me the churches biggest problem these days is nobody wants to go to church anymore. This is because the church has the reputation of being a judgemental, rigid bunch of folks. In many cases, there is no love or forgivness. Anybody who is deemed "a sinner", isn't welcome anymore.
    
    Rather than shaming people for thier problems, seems to me we would be much more effective, if we loved people, showed them mercy and grace. At least then the "sinners" we seem to be so concerned about would be coming to church and seeking something more. That is a start.
    
    As a church we have to get away from this idea that you have to look and act a certain way to be eligible to sit in the pew. Seems to me the church should be for those who are not saved, not those that are.
    
    In Closing, I can't help but think about the beattitudes, Maybe all of us would do much better to live those in our daily lives. Those don't say anything about "hating the sin". I gave up the idea many years ago that it was necessary to scare people in to heaven by telling them they were going to burn in hell. Seems to me people should want to get saved because they know it is the right thing to do, not out of fear.
    
    Do I think these people should be up singing, it depends. What I mean is, if we are not going to allow these people to get up and sing, then neither should other "sinners", which means the stage would be empty.
    
    We as a church need to put down the stones and learn to love and show grace again. Only then will those that we know need the help start showing up again and seeking something more and repenting.
    Posted by  on  08/12  at  08:25 AM


15. Thank you, Wayne! That was well said.
    
    God gave everyone talent(s) of some form or another. If we don't use them we're not using what God gave us. Talents should be used. Talent has nothing to do with sexuality. As christians, we should pray that those who are doing wrong see the error of their ways and that they correct them. Everyone has some kind of issue whether they want to admit it or not.
    
    As I've said before, stop complaining because that won't change anything. Pray and love one another as brothers/sister in Christ should...that's what we should be doing!
    Posted by  on  08/12  at  09:15 AM


16. Hello Johah and Wayne,
    I wonder if you guys would approve of your pastor being homosexual? If not why? I would hate to know I lived my life here on earth defending homosexuality. If I would have wrote about over-eating, or smoking, or maybe even adultry between two married partners, I would be willing to bet you guys would have never responded to the article.
    Posted by  on  08/13  at  03:08 PM


17. Eric...it's obvious that you can't read! You only see what you want to see. Not one person here is defending homosexuals. Everyone has said that they are neither gay nor do they approve of the gay lifestyle. It seems to me that there is some jealousy on your part because you aren't geting those higher paying gigs. Why are you so obsessed with gay people and their lifestyles? If it's an arguement that you want then you have way too much time on your hands. Haven't you ever heard of "Idle hands are the devil's workshop"? You are sitting IDLE bud!
    Posted by  on  08/13  at  04:24 PM


18. Hi All,
    Well Eric as a human being who has been around for a lottt of years I can speak much about the Southern Gospel music. My family use to go to the Medina temple in Chicago for there all night sings, NOW those were the days, The Goodmans,Statesmans,Blackwood Brothers,The Rambo's and so many more, I believe that is a time where they walked the talk and when they sang they talked of Jesus and you knew by the Spirit it was real. Those days are gone.
    
    While some may be real and walk and talk what they sing, the many I have met, and talked to, do not,many after concerts pick up girls with googly eyes and away they go,some go out and get drunk,snort some drug,cuss, some never mention the name of Jesus when they sing or give testimony,and yes I have heard some say,
    'well who do they think they are, look at how they dress and they sing way off beat and out of tune," competion is big. Why??? Isn't it all for the service and Glory of the Lord and how about the "we can come but it will cost $10,000." Is this the same as pay to pray. Oh I realize there are cost but am sure it is not that much, as I said I have known some of the best.
    
    To your question, I have sat under pastors who are active alcoholics, drug addicts, food addicts, child molestors, adulters, I can not tell you how many pastors have ran off with the pianoist, secratary and so on.I did not know these things at the time BUT many were saved under their ministry, so does that mean these people were not saved? Thank the Lord he said "my word would not return void".Would I sit under a homosexual, I think you would be surprised to know how many do and don't even know it, If I did know, yes I would not judge him, I have met many pastors/ministers who are homosexual and have found them to be genuine, compassionate, loving and have a wonderful Spirituality about them,BUT they are not religious, a big difference;
    
    "Proverbs" 6:16–19
    In "Proverbs" 6:16–19, it is stated that "(16) These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:" (quotes from King James Version (KJV) translation of the Bible). These are:
    
    (17) A proud look,
    a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
    (18) A heart that deviseth wicked imaginations,
    feet that be swift in running to mischief,
    (19) A false witness that speaketh lies,
    and he that soweth discord among brethren
    
    I DO NOT SEE HOMOSEXUALITY MENTIONED HERE.
    
    Perhaps a study in the latin and Greek of the story of Jonathon and David would be of great intersts. I can post that if you would like. Abomination means something other in the Latin and Greek, Hebrew than what it means in todays language.
    
    I have heard you Eric say to another poster that disagrees with you, that you thought he may be Gay since he was defensive, so if you disagree, and stand for what you believe, than you must be what you are defending??? And if he would have said he was homosexual would his words carry less valditiy?
    
    No there is much more wrong with Southern Gospel Music in these times than this one issue brought up. Pride and arrogance, greed for money and a Name, making one's self unavailable after concert, runnnnning to the bus, an attitude of aloofness to the ones who came to your concert,the walk after the concert does not match the singing of the concert.
    
    Well enough for now, oh yes I am an X Southern Baptist Preachers wife, he was a child molester, so what is worse I ask, a child molester or a homosexuality?????
    Posted by  on  08/13  at  07:56 PM


19. Eric,
    
    Obviously much of what I am saying is going over your head.
    
    I am not "defending homosexuality". What I am defending is the Mercy, Grace and Love that Jesus intended us to have and show to others. As shown by his own examples in the Bible.
    
    I honestly think if I had a Pastor that was a homosexual, I would love him, knowing that we all have sinned, and understand that it is not my place to judge his private life, that is between him and God. GOD is the only one in the position to judge him not me.
    
    You honestly think your going to get someone to turn thier life around by brow beating them and disconnecting them from the church? Your "defending" that stance? Where is that part of the bible located?
    
    I Choose not to judge others or the choices they make. I would rather stand at the pearly gates knowing that I loved others, offered grace and mercy and love, without judging them. It seems to me that doing that will have a much larger effect on any individual than judging them and "abandoning" them in Jesus name would do.
    Posted by  on  08/14  at  09:22 AM


20. Thanks guys for all the comments, never had such a response. Lots of interesting points were made and hopefully we all learned something we didnt know. Again thanks for participating in my personal blog.
    Blessings
    Eric Stephens
    Posted by  on  08/14  at  11:30 AM


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