Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Evangelicals and Coulter
Exclusive: Joseph Farah explains why it isn't enough to call yourself Christian

Posted: August 23, 2010
1:00 am Eastern

Sunday, August 22, 2010

By Joseph Farah

I don't have any intention of beating to death my personal dustup with Ann Coulter, but I continue to receive a heavy volume of e-mail over this controversy – and some of it requires further exploration.

One insightful reader made this observation: "I think the most significant part of the note from Ann (about her speaking to a homosexual Republican group at an event called Homocon) is this: 'also, FYI; my fellow evangelicals – and I know lots and lots of 'em – all think it's great that I'm doing this. (Of course, they know I'm not changing my mind on gay marriage even though I like gays.)'"

It's true that much of the church is lacking the moral discernment it should receive from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Much of the church is as blind to right and wrong as the world is. That's alarming. But Jesus did warn us:

In Matthew 7:20-24, He says: "Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

"And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

"Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them …"

Those should be alarming verses for all professing Christians. But I don't think many American evangelicals give them much consideration.

In other words, it's not enough to call yourself a Christian. It's not enough to go to church on Sunday. It's not enough to say some magic words. You've got to be sincere in your repentance and be obedient to His will.

(Column continues below)

I have no doubts that many who call themselves Christians have encouraged Ann Coulter to take this speaking assignment. I can't judge their motives. Maybe they are enamored of her celebrity. Maybe they put their friendship with Ann above giving her what they know in their hearts to be sound advice. Maybe they're afraid of being called names and cast out of impolite conservative company. Maybe they are misguided or immature or carnal Christians. Maybe they are not Christians at all.

I don't get my notion of what being a Christian is or how to be one from other Christians. I get it from the Bible.

And understand what I am saying here: I do not suggest it is wrong for Christians to associate with homosexuals, as some have charged. In fact, if we love them – or, as Ann Coulter suggests, "like" them – we should engage them. We should bring them the truth. We should share the good news of the Gospel. And that, however uncomfortable it is, means confronting them with their sin – just as we would any other sinner.

I believe that's what Jesus meant when He told us to love our enemies. The ultimate demonstration of love for a Christian should be to evangelize the lost.

There is no indication Ann Coulter has ever used one of her paid speaking engagements to do this. In fact, I'm not even sure a paid speaking engagement is an appropriate forum for evangelizing.

Nevertheless, I have heard from a few Christians who compare Coulter's paid speaking gig to Homocon with Jesus sitting down with tax collectors and sinners.

That is not good discernment.

Coulter is a political activist, a pundit, a satirist. She is not Jesus. And she is not an evangelist. No one is likely to get saved at Homocon because Ann Coulter gives a conservative stump speech.

What will happen as a result of her appearance is that a compromise will be made with sin. Sin will be condoned or appeased. A conservative icon will find accommodation with a sin that would undermine the foundations of Western civilization, the Judeo-Christian ethic and the most basic biblical standards of sexual morality.

KATIE'S NOTES: I know I am posting a lot lately, but I am getting so many good articles! I personally have never really respected Ann Coulter, finding her to be too loud and obnoxious for me--although I do admit she is very intelligent. But this has clinched the deal, so to speak. And what's the most shocking is how many Christians will blindly follow her lead and "tolerate" gay marriage. Folks, Jesus was not tolerant. Yes he was kind, yes he was loving. But he was not tolerant, and too many Christians seem to have put the supposed virtue of tolerance up there with the ten commandments! Forgive my tirade. My heart is deeply grieved and I NEVER want to "get used" to the idea of gay marriage. I want it to always shock me, always cause me to mourn for the state of our country when this defilement is not only allowed but PROMOTED by some Christians. Lamentations 3 comes to mind...  "21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:
 22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail."

1 comment:

Joshua Schwisow said...

I must agree with you. I have never liked Ann Coulter that much. I see a place for sarcasm and mockery of your opponents (specifically those who abandon the fear of God) but there is a balance here which Coulter seems to have lost. And the morality she once preached seems to be fading with her new connections here. That is a shame but we must call her out on the inconsistency.