Can Religious Freedom Diminish God’s Glory?

The first chapter of the Bible makes evident that God rejects transgenderism— that there are only two very clear and distinct genders: “God created man in His own image— in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27 NASB).

Despite the clarity of this verse, Pete Buttigeg rebuked Christians who do not accept and endorse the LGBTQ agenda, explaining that holding a traditional Biblical view of sexual morality “makes God smaller” and is “an insult to faith.”  Former Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke went further, stating that any Christian church, college, or charitable organization holding Biblical views on sexuality and gender should lose its tax-exempt status.

Some Christians unwisely want to stay out of politics, but politicians like these won’t let them. They are weaponizing to punish those who adhere to basic Bible teachings.  It will be the shame of Christians for generations to come— if they allow such policies to be enacted without unified civic opposition from the Christian community.

Regardless, the Bible is clear that no matter what those in power might say, believers must stand on God’s side rather than culture’s: “Everything in the world— the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life— comes not from the Father but from the world.  The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15-17).

The current worldly phenomenon of transgender ideology clearly “comes not from the Father.” On this issue, the Church must therefore boldly “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), fully understanding that some people will reject that truth.  After all, the Scripture forewarns, “don’t be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you” (1 John 3:13), and Christ Himself reminded His disciples: “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you” (John 15:19).

And a special note to Pete Buttigeg: Regardless of how big or small people’s words and actions may be, no one can “make God smaller.”  As C.S. Lewis pointed out: “A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.”

In no way does obeying God’s commandments on sexuality and gender somehow “make God smaller.”  To the contrary, ignoring those commandments and persecuting His church only makes you smaller.

 

Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.

Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army

Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel