Should a Christian Attend a Trans-Wedding?
What should you do, (as a Christian), if you get invited to a trans-wedding?
What if it is a friend?
What if it is a relative?
What if it is your child/grandchild?
Many Christians have never thought about this issue.
10 years ago, nobody was thinking about this. The transgender craze hadn't overtaken the nation, and nobody was sending friends and relatives wedding invitations to attend this kind of event.
Today, it is something all Christians need to think about. If you've never been invited to a trans-wedding or a gay wedding, it's just a matter of time. How will you respond?
Alistair Begg
Some time ago, well-known pastor, Alistair Begg waded into this controversy. He recounts the advice he gave to a grandmother who was invited to attend her grandson's trans-wedding.
What were his questions?
He began by asking 2 questions.
- "Does your grandson understand your belief in Jesus?"
- "Does your grandson understand that your belief in Jesus makes it such that you can't countenance in any affirming way the choices that he has made in life?"
Those are some good basic questions - even if the second one is a bit wordy.
The people we know, especially those close to us ought to know where we stand on these types of issues. I'm not saying we have to be talking about it all the time, but they ought to be able to guess what we would think.
Now to his advice
I've admired Alistair Begg for quite some time. He is a gifted speaker and preacher. But his advice he gave had some serious problems.
He said, "As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony. And I suggest that you buy them a gift.’
His Rational
He said, “Your love for them may catch them off guard, but your absence will simply reinforce the fact that they said, ‘These people are what I always thought: judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything.’”
Basically, he is saying to attend the wedding, so the people won't think that Christians are judgmental!
Think about this for a minute
Are Christians being judgmental by not attending?
I'm on the internet a lot and the one Bible verse that everyone seems to know is, "Judge not lest you be judged!"
Slut Shaming!
We are in an age today that does not want to be judged for ANY of their actions. One common item you read is how it is bad to "slut shame" a woman.
I mean, just because she has had sex with 500 people - how dare you shame her!!!
Christians Are Called to Judge
The same passage that is quoted so often about not judging continues to call us to make judgments a few verses later.
But more important than our judgment, is the judgment of God!
What is a wedding according to Jesus?
Jesus was asked a question about divorce, and he said, "But from the beginning of creation he made them male and female. 7 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother, 8 and the two will become one flesh. So they are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Mark 10 - NET
Jesus said marriage is between a man and a woman. Today, we need to specify that Jesus meant a biological man and a biological woman.
What does attending a wedding mean?
A wedding is not a neutral event. When you go to a wedding, you are there to celebrate a man and a woman coming together in marriage.
This means that a Christian cannot take part in it. This would be similar to a Christian attending a post-abortion party.
Yes, that means a Christian is making a judgment. But ...
A Christian cannot celebrate sin!
Regardless how that makes your family member feel, regardless if that makes your neighbor unhappy, regardless if that makes the unsaved less likely to attend your church - a Christian cannot celebrate what God hates.
Would John the Baptist attend Herod's Wedding?
I think the answer to that is obviously no. In fact, he lost his head over opposing this. Yet Jesus called him the greatest man that had lived up till that point.
Alistair Begg is stepping down as senior pastor
Is it related to this issue? Is it because he made a bad, unbiblical teaching?
He doesn't say so - but he is very defensive about his statement.
He has called people who question him fundamentalist and pharisees. He said, unlike the people in America, he comes from a land that understands "nuance."
I'm sorry - Jesus isn't interested in your NUANCE. His fundamental message was to "Repent and believe the gospel."
Repent!
Alistair Begg says he has nothing to repent of (about this statement.) But we all make bad decisions. We all can look back and realize we've said "stupid" things. When this happens, the Bible outlines what we should do.
We should repent!
And that is what Alistair Begg should do - Repent.
I've gotten much benefit from the ministry of Alistair Begg. He is a great preacher and for many years has preached and ministered faithfully. I do not doubt his salvation.
But he is Wrong!
This is Pastor John and Christ is still king!
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