The Danger of Appeasement

Max Lucado, a prolific author and the teaching minister for the Oak Hills Church in San Antonia, Texas, spoke last week at a virtual service for The Washington National Cathedral, a prominent Episcopal church.

His appearance was opposed and generated an online petition signed by 1,500 people demanding the National Cathedral rescind the invitation. Why? Because of Lucado’s view on traditional marriage. Furthermore, they claimed he “has inflicted serious harm” on the LGBT community.

The Episcopal News Service reported on the controversy writing that Lucado’s, “past statements against homosexuality and same-sex marriage” had led to a “growing backlash from some Episcopalians.” In addition, they labeled Lucado’s position on marriage as “anti-LGBTQ views.”

In response, Lucado issued a letter of apology writing in part, “In 2004 I preached a sermon on the topic of same-sex marriage. I now see that, in that sermon, I was disrespectful. I was hurtful. I wounded people in ways that were devastating. I should have done better. It grieves me that my words have hurt or been used to hurt the LGBTQ community. I apologize to you and I ask forgiveness of Christ.”

While I didn’t listen to the 17-year old sermon Lucado referenced, I find it difficult to believe he was “disrespectful” and “hurtful” in his message. I’ve heard Max preach. I’ve read many of his books. And I haven’t seen that side of him.

Without judging Lucado’s motives, I wonder if his apology was just an attempt to appease a group that will never be pleased until Christians both condone and celebrate their homosexual lifestyle.

Of course, we are commanded “to preach the truth in love” (Eph. 4:16). To engage in speech that is “gracious, seasoned with salt,” so that we can effectively teach unbelievers (Col 4:6). And to care and show compassion to the lost, just like Jesus did (Matt. 9:36; Lk. 19:10).

Yet, the Truth must be preached. Righteousness exalted. And sin clearly condemned. Trying to appease people who want to live in violation of God’s Word will never work. It won’t convert them. It waters down the gospel. And sends a mixed message to Christians and non-Christians alike.

I wonder how the Episcopalians, the LGBTQ community, and even Max Lucado himself would view Paul’s message in Romans 1?

Paul condemned their “ungodliness” and “unrighteousness.” He said they had rejected and failed to honor God. Their thinking became “futile.” Their “hearts were darkened.” And while “claiming to be wise, they became fools.”

His depiction of their lifestyle continues with this graphic description.

Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.

I can’t imagine Lucado’s words were any stronger than Paul’s. Was Paul unloving? Hurtful? Disrespectful? Does he, as well as the Holy Spirit, owe the LGBT community an apology?

When we teach God’s arrangement for marriage of one man and one woman, there is no room for appeasement to those rejecting and changing it.

In the past 25-30 years, politicians, entertainers, businesses, and now even churches and preachers have tied to appease the LGBTQ crowd. Simply stating the Bible teaching marriage, without condemning homosexuality, won’t appease them. They desire endorsement. Sanction. And celebration.

Recently, the Hallmark channel, once a proponent of conservative moral values has capitulated and is now introducing same-sex partners into their plots. I doubt an occasional movie will be enough. Those advocating this error desire more and more. Appeasement won’t’ work.

To paraphrase President Ronald Reagan, “There is no {sacred} security, no {spiritual} safety, in the appeasement of evil.”

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman