Unrighteous wedding invitations
Allistar Begg
Controversial LGBT Wedding statement. Unbiblical. Sept 2023
At the end of this interview, Alistair Begg recommends 😱 attending a transgender wedding. 😑
Here's the part of the transcription, and the fall out from it.
Bob: You [Alistair] have, in recent months, been taking the Parkside congregation through Romans 1 and Psalm 139 and Jude, which all point to how out of sync our culture is with God’s Word, God’s expectations. It feels like the Sermon on the Plain in Luke chapter 6 is pointing us back inward and saying, “It’s not just culture that is out of sync with God’s demands, but our own lives are out of sync. And that’s again why we need the Gospel—for forgiveness and for transformation.”
Alistair: Yeah, that’s good, Bob. I wish I’d thought of that.
I think one of the for me in trying to tackle Jude—and being tackled by Jude—is the fact that he doesn’t name anybody. He doesn’t call anybody out. I mean, he gives us an Identi-Kit picture of the characteristics of people that will cause trouble and chaos if they’re allowed to embed themselves...
...that we need to be prepared to identify what he’s calling us to see while at the same time recognizing that every finger that points out has a number that point back towards us.
And... we all know the thing about the plank and the splinter, you know.[10] ...
[Then the talk went briefly to note] self-righteousness... [and on] compassionate heart of Christ himself.
Bob:... How do you hope people will be different after they have read this book and they’ve meditated on this sermon?
Alistair: Well,... I hope that our church family, those who choose to read this book, that it might have an impact among us.
... “Yes, I know that these people believe a very different agenda, that their lifestyle is orientated in another direction,” ... I myself would not be where they are were it not for the amazing grace of God, were it not for his compassion towards me.”
And in very specific areas this comes across. I mean, you and I know that we field questions all the time that go along the lines of “My grandson is about to be married to a transgender person, and I don’t know what to do about this..."—which is a huge responsibility [to answer].
And in a conversation like that just a few days ago—and people may not like this answer—but I asked the grandmother, “Does your grandson understand your belief in Jesus... 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?”
“Yes.”
I said, “Well then, okay. 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.”
“Oh,” she said, “what?”
I said, “Well, here’s the thing: 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.’”
[Allistar believes]...We’re going to have to take that risk a lot more [go to lgbt weddings & events] if we want to build bridges into the hearts and lives of those who don’t understand Jesus and don’t understand that he is a King.
...our words should be “full of grace” and “seasoned with salt.”[13]
Bob: Yes.
Alistair: ... “Let not many of you become teachers.”
End.
=========
Comments:
If someone says they are going to murder someone should we be an accomplice?? Should we join them at a Klan rally and bring them fuel as a gift(2)?? I think not. Sin is sin. We should not take part in it. Also if we accept something God will judge us as though we did it one day.
We are not to even give an appearance of evil 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Paul wrote, "Just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:4).
We are to be be living, "in a manner worthy of God" (1 Thessalonians 2:12).
Our goal as believers is to live righteously before God.
Avoiding the appearance of evil, or abstaining from every form of evil, means to live in God’s light by the power of the Holy Spirit. We "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). We worry not about the perceptions of others but about the integrity of our own walk with Christ. When we avoid every kind of evil, we “make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14).(1)
The problem is, attending the wedding and giving a gift *is expressing* approval. Which legitimized what God called abomination. And also unbiblically legitimizes lgbt churches and their weddings too. We should never encourage believers to go to something that would even give an appearance of agreeing to or embracing of something sinful like lgbt "weddings". And Allistar really messed up here by encouraging large numbers of believers to sin not only against God but their conscience too. He shouldve gotten better counsel from solid reputable fellow believers & pastors on this. One thing he is right about is quoting “Let not many of you become teachers.”
The truth is, we should not be attending. By not attending our absense shows we are standing firm in the truth. We are not condoning sin and rebellion. We are standing up to say this is an abomination. We are choosing reality and truth over abomination and insanity. We are agreeing with God and Christ that marriage is 1:1. We are setting a biblical example. We are doing so in love.
A believer commented [and I added to it] 'How come Begg jumped to that conclusion of assuming the grandson's response, when he mightve said "I understand your faith and position on lgbt relationships, I have sent you an invite out of etiquette. I wouldnt possibly ask you to compromise your religious convictions or conscience by trying to make you attend, so don't feel torn over attending. Simply return the invite "declined." I still love you." If they claim they are people of love and tolerance that should be their feelings on this, but those led by their sinful nature wouldnt do this because they are neither tolerant nor loving in truth.'
Begg really messed up here and mixed together a bunch of thoughts and Scripture that have nothing to do with this. And he mixed up a bunch of verses that have nothing to do with the lgbt issue. We are to live righteously, in truth, upholding what God has revealed and told us, and not to compromise truth or we become false teachers (or those who embrace them). We can speak the truth in love and decline lgbt weddings and events. We can do so in a loving way but a firm way as well. We are to speak against the wickedness of lgbt as well. So do not listen to preachers who cave on sinful cultural issues as if it is somehow connected to peace or showing the gospel... when it is actually neither.
I found this useful and theologically sound. Owen Strachan is right.
A wedding is a celebration of a beginning of a marriage. If it is not between one woman and one man, it’s not to be celebrated. You cannot be a witness before God in such a situation as if legitimizing something false which opposes His design.
Note what lgbt are doing isn’t a wedding. It isn’t a marriage. It’s a celebration of sin and something that defies our Creator’s design. By all means, show love to your family member in a way that honors the God who created him, (as one created in the image of God), not by joining in his folly.
Same as with a gay "marriage" - love them but be straight forward and tell them you do not affirm what God has called an abomination and because you love God, righteousness and them... you won’t be attending. It may ruffle feathers in the family but you’ll be standing for what you believe. And they already know you are opposed to it. We dont need to nor should we cater to those living in sin.
Also...99% of the time wedding invites are done by written mailed offer. You rsvp. You can simply decline to attend. If you want to you can find a tract or create one that gives a kind yet truthful answer to why you wont be attending, and leave an open offer to discuss it with them before the ceremony. That way they have an option [as to not bottle up their misguided hurt but] to discuss it one on one in person, perhaps at your home (with 1 or 2 others biblically knowledgable in this area, who can help guide the convo, and be there for your safety too). Just remember, they are not saved so the saved live in sin. It doesnt matter which of the various ones, these ones are just choosing to live in sexually abominable ones. God can save them (and bring them to their right mind) and into properly designed living. Pray for them.
Pray for Alistair Begg (and all preachers like him) to get a proper view of this issue, and to repent of his recent statements (and advice) and that he will stand for God’s truth. There are ways to lovingly reach out to lgbt people, but joining in as if condoning their sins - is not it🙏
More to grasp on this issue (article)
Protestia Youtube @15:40
STR Response see illustration notes
Voddie on topic @1:37
Justin Peters @start, then jump to @8:20
Todd Friel from Wretched
Updates on the scandal below...
Related Resources
Footnotes
(1) GotQuestions on Thessalonians
(2) Update on the matter. Summary:
In a 30-minute phone call with staff representing Alistair Begg, AFR leaders ascertained "that Begg was standing by his comments from the September podcast".
Walker Wildmon said the goal of the phone call with Begg's staff was to find some "reconciliation" but it did not happen, he said. In an attempt to clarify the situation, he and Vitagliano "pressed the issue" with several questions until it was clear --- without any misunderstanding --- that Begg was standing by his comments from the September podcast. See @4:42 and affair illustration too
Before being dropped, "Truth for Life" ran in a 30-minute weekday morning slot on AFR. The radio ministry of AFA operates about 180 radio stations across the United States....
With that clarity provided....
I am confident any speaking engagements he has with solid churches will be withdrawn including the soon upcoming Shepherd's Conference at GCC.
Discussing broader issues of Begg @5:18+
Final Things
Update from Pastor Begg 1/28/24
Phil Johnson notes @3:40/@12:20
With how Begg's original comments on the topic mixed up and were not related to portions of Scripture brought up, and how his latter sermon was mixed up and not related either after he refused to repent... we can no longer recommend Alistair Begg nor hold confidence that his sermons should be listened to. In addition [@8:20] he has connections with organizations that went woke and feel he has been influenced by them since 2015 to bring him into this gross error, and without links to it have heard elders sermons at the church have CRT beliefs in it, and goes to places embracing wokism, and hasn't taken a stand on certian woke issues actually says something... so his views have really been influenced by them. Including a new revelation that he is pro woman preacher [@12:45] on Sundays in direct oposition to Scripture! We also see here that he constantly calls Christians legalists, pharasies and trolls when they disagree with his views [when they are not being either; we are simply being followers of the Word]. He has clearly drank the koolaid and fallen off the cliff [He needs to retire, as well as recant on all these issues]. He & his church are clearly one to avoid at this point.
This isnt about compassion it is about speaking and living out truth in love.
He said "he cared more about the relationship between the grandmother and the grandson more than anthing else." (1) so....more... than... the Word of God?? Whoa, Alistair that is shocking.
Matthew 10:37-39
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
It wasnt an act of compassion Alistair... it was an act of cowardace, and of compromise of the truth.
Sadly, instead of contacting highly reputable Pastors like JMac and Voddie to discuss how Alistair might've been wrong... he hunkered down for a week concocting a judgmental sermon after being called out, and blamed his beliefs on "being from Britian", is appalling, it has 0 to do with following God's Word and clear Scripture, and is an odd cop out. We all live in a pagan world. We are to be the light in it not join those who hate God, Christ and truth. Christians are to embrace rebuke, admonishment and correct themselves where biblically clear they're in error. This is one reason we are to know Scripture and deep dive into it.
If a pastor uses the phrase "building bridges to the LGBT community" ....run... they're following the heretic Andy Stanley.
Do not join the likewarm church whom Christ will spew out, and don't be found among the false converts who will hear Christ say I never knew you, Depart from me you workers of iniquity. Do not join nor follow after the ways of the world and its leader Satan, but only follow after Christ if he is infact your Savior.
Do not sacrifice the truth when trying to maintain a witness among the unsaved.
For more examination of the lgbt issues from a biblical understanding this will help. And on how to interact with those in that sex cult.
God be with you as you follow the truth God has revealed & given to us and walk in it.
Recent Updates
Final Consideration
For those of you who agree with Alistair's position then you would also be approving of other unrighteous unions and lifestyles, right?
Footnote
(1) from Alistair's comments on the lgbt issue in his seemon Compassion vs Condemnation which was his follow up to the scandal. @31:05
(2) From 34:12
(3) Statment: Begg had been scheduled to speak in March at the Shepherds Conference, a major Reformed evangelical pastors’ gathering led by California pastor and author John MacArthur. After Begg’s comments became public, he and MacArthur talked and decided the controversy would be “an unnecessary distraction,” according to a spokesman for Grace to You, one of the conference sponsors.
“Pastor MacArthur’s counsel on that issue would be completely different from the counsel Alistair Begg said he gave an inquiring grandmother,” said Phil Johnson, executive director of Grace to You told Religion News Service in an email. “So both agreed that it was necessary for Pastor Begg to withdraw.”
