Evangelist Franklin Graham responded to hecklers who protested 2020 Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg’s sexuality this week.
In a Facebook post citing Leviticus and John, Graham said that Christians “should be respectful,” but added that the Bible is clear that “homosexuality is a sin” and expressed his conviction that the Bible is the infallible word of God.
Buttigieg, who is Episcopalian and married to a man, has attacked evangelicals, including Vice President Mike Pence, for supporting President Donald Trump. However, some Christians have questioned Buttigieg’s religious views on account of his sexuality and his support of late-term abortion.
Franklin Graham weighs in on Buttigieg
Graham condemned anti-gay protesters who hurled slurs of “Sodom and Gomorrah” at Buttigieg at an Iowa campaign rally, a reference to the Biblical city that God destroyed with fire and brimstone because of the inhabitants’ homosexuality. While saying that he doesn’t approve of “heckling anyone,” Graham agreed with Buttigieg’s response to the hecklers that “his soul is in the hands of God” and issued a stern warning.
Graham agreed that Buttigieg, like everyone, is in “the hands of God”, while warning that “homosexuality is a sin” and that believers must have faith in the power of God’s Word to “transform our lives.”
“Mayor Buttigieg is absolutely right — His soul is in the hands of God, so is everyone’s,” Graham said. “He also says that he’s a Christian and wants to become the first openly gay president in America’s history. What’s wrong with that picture? In reality, being a Christian isn’t just a title we select or a church membership. It is a faith in God and His Word that transforms our lives to be more like the One we follow — Jesus Christ,” Graham continued.
In a Facebook post, Graham expressed his conviction that God’s word should not be questioned or interpreted willy-nilly to suit modern, secular views on sexuality. Graham said that he feels compelled to remind fellow Christians that God defines what sin is, not the sinner.
“Jesus said, ‘If you love me, you will keep my commandments’ (John 14:15),” Graham added. “The Bible makes it very clear that homosexuality is a sin. ‘If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination…’ (Leviticus 20:13). That’s what God says and that settles it for me. I stand with the Word of God. I care enough about people to tell them the truth and to warn them about the judgment to come for all sin,” Graham said.
Buttigieg attacks evangelicals, supports infanticide
Buttigieg has criticized evangelicals for what he considers the “hypocrisy” of supporting Donald Trump and recently attacked the faith of Vice President Mike Pence in an apparent attempt to elevate his profile. The Democratic presidential candidate accused Pence of “having a problem” with his sexuality and snarked, “Your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my creator.”
He also questioned President Trump’s faith, saying, “It is hard to look at this president’s actions and believe that they’re the actions of somebody who believes in God.”
However, Buttigieg’s own religious views have come under scrutiny from conservative Christians, particularly after he said that his marriage to partner Chasten has brought him “closer to God.” Buttigieg is also an open supporter of late-term abortion.
When pressed on his support of infanticide, Buttigieg has given lengthy, round-about responses riddled with sophisms. Buttigieg regards the morality of abortion as an “unknowable” question that is almost impossible to settle satisfactorily.
It has also been reported that Buttigieg plans to adopt a child with his partner. Some on social media criticized media reports stating that Buttigieg was planning to “have a child,” as they pointed out that Buttigieg technically cannot have a child.
The Indiana mayor has shot to the top of the Democratic primary race thanks to glowing press coverage from an infatuated media, and his rise has sparked talk of the “religious left.”
In interviews about his religious beliefs, Buttigieg has indicated that he sees no contradiction between his progressive views and the Bible. When speaking of the Gospel, Buttigieg has tended to highlight its message of compassion for the vulnerable and lowly, particularly immigrants, but his morals notably exclude the unborn from protection.
No comments: