YOUR TYPE...Not Qualified to Pray

Last week Louie Giglio was effectively disinvited from delivering an inaugural prayer because he believes and teaches what the Bible says.

In a statement from Addie Whisenant of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, "We were not aware of Pastor Louie Giglio's past comments at the time of his selection, and they don't reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country at this inaugural. Pastor Giglio was asked to deliver the benediction in large part because of his leadership in combating human trafficking around the world. As we now work to select someone to deliver the benediction, we will ensure their beliefs reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans."

In a statement released to the White House and the Presidential Inaugural Committee, Giglio said that he withdrew because of the furor that emerged Wednesday after a liberal watchdog group revealed that almost 20 years ago he had preached a sermon in which he had stated that homosexuality is a sin and that the "only way out of a homosexual lifestyle … is through the healing power of Jesus."

Louie Giglio, pastor of Atlanta’s Passion City Church, further commented that "due to a message of mine that has surfaced from 15-20 years ago, it is likely that my participation, and the prayer I would offer, will be dwarfed by those seeking to make their agenda the focal point of the inauguration. Clearly, speaking on this issue has not been in the range of my priorities in the past fifteen years. Instead, my aim has been to call people to ultimate significance as we make much of Jesus Christ."

What Wayne Besen, founder of the activist group Truth Wins Out, told The New York Times on Wednesday explains the issue: "It is imperative that Giglio clarify his remarks and explain whether he has evolved on gay rights, like so many other faith and political leaders. It would be a shame to select a preacher with backward views on LBGT people at a moment when the nation is rapidly moving forward on our issues."

The statement from the Presidential Inaugural Committee would seem to agree with Besen. The views of the person praying must “reflect this administration's vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans."

In essence, the person praying must pass a litmus test like – are you now or ever have been one who believes that any sexual behavior, other than what the Bible endorses, is morally unacceptable? Or, have your views evolved to the point where you now reject your biblical position and endorse what is inclusive and acceptable?

According to Dr. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kentucky, “The Presidential Inaugural Committee and the White House have now declared historic, biblical Christianity to be out of bounds, casting it off the inaugural program as an embarrassment. By its newly articulated standard, any preacher who holds to the faith of the church for the last 2,000 years is persona non grata.” 

“By this standard, no Roman Catholic prelate or priest can participate in the ceremony. No Evangelical who holds to biblical orthodoxy is welcome. The vast majority of Christians around the world have been disinvited. Mormons, and the rabbis of Orthodox Judaism are out. Any Muslim imam who could walk freely in Cairo would be denied a place on the inaugural program.” 

“Billy Graham, who participated in at least ten presidential inaugurations, is welcome no more. Rick Warren, who incited a similar controversy when he prayed at President Obama's first inauguration, is way out of bounds. In the span of just four years, the rules are fully changed.”

From my current pulpit series on the Book of Romans, it is obvious that the Apostle Paul would not have been eligible to pray at the President’s inauguration. What Wayne Besen and the White House view as an evolution of ideas, Paul described as “indecent acts” and “perversion” (Romans 1:27).

It is very sad to admit, that this type of discourse is now the new normal. Christians are being challenged to choose between their beliefs and contemporary behavior. It is just shocking to see how intolerant the White House is in forcing acceptance of homosexuality, while disregarding Giglio's sterling work to combat human trafficking.

From all appearances, 2013 does not seem as though it would be a Happy New Year for many religious voices in the marketplace. For Christians, hatred and revenge are not options – like Pastor Giglio, we must continue to preach “the healing power of Jesus Christ.”