“If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
The sad thing is that Brian Houston clings to a love that no Christian should desire. He cannot claim to love when he abuses words and uses people to further his own name and reputation. In this article we will be delving into Brian Houston’s clarification on his blog article earlier this year titled, “Do I love Gay People?”
Because we know what he believes and how he uses people to his advantage, what he says overall in this article rings hollow. He lies, twists scripture and speaks from both sides of his mouth to please absolutely everyone for his own selfish purposes. And when a so-called “minister” does this, there is no credibility. People do not see love.
And no right-minded person would want that love. So to make the words of a clanging cymbal bearable, we decided to have fun and use Captain Subtext to pick apart what he’s actually saying in his blog article.
THE BLOG IN BRIAN’S EYE
He writes,
I love and care about people – from all walks of life; people with various beliefs, ethics, perspectives and lifestyles.
Translation: I’m only saying this so you agree with me. Please accept this candy comment from a stranger. Now get in my Hillsong bus.
I care that humanity and some within the Christian church can be so quick to alienate and ostracise others who are different than them; those who live differently, think differently, speak differently.
Translation: Hopefully you didn’t pick up the fact that I don’t love and care about Christians. They’re getting in the way of my movement. You must alienate and ostracize them like I do.
I also live by my own convictions, and hold to traditional Christian thought on gay lifestyles and gay marriage.
Translation: Since I can’t let the media and Christians pin me down on anything (or else I’ll get in trouble), I’m still trying to figure out what my own convictions are. I’ve got to sound like a conservative Christian somehow even though I’ve been bagging them out during my entire ministry… That’s it! I’ll say I’m a traditional Christian!
I do believe God’s word is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman.
Translation: Even though I don’t want to believe this, I have got to say what Christians want me to say, otherwise our music sales may suffer. (I hope no one browses my past sermons and discovers how absent or vague my messages are on this topic.)
The writings of the apostle Paul in scripture on the subject of homosexuality are also clear, as I have mentioned in previous public statements.
Translation: Even though I reject:
- Paul’s Gospel,
- Paul’s Jesus,
- Paul’s teaching on the Holy Spirit,
- Paul’s teaching on the church governance and the pastoral office/responsibilities,
- Paul’s teaching on church structure,
- Paul’s teaching on what a Christian is,
- Paul’s teaching on faith, hope and love,
- Paul’s teachings on the end times,
- Paul’s teaching on family,
- Paul’s teaching on finances,
- Paul’s teaching on women in the pastoral office,
- Paul’s teaching on godly behaviour and sexuality.
I will give the allusion that I believe Paul’s teachings on homosexuality.
Hillsong Church welcomes ALL people but does not affirm all lifestyles.
Translation: That’s what the Apostle Paul would say, right? Because we’re “traditional!”
Put clearly, we do not affirm a gay lifestyle…
Translation: …Hehe. I said “we,” not “I.” We’ve emphatically claimed it’s not our job to change anyone. We do the affirming, God does the changing.
… and because of this we do not knowingly have actively gay people in positions of leadership, either paid or unpaid.
Translation: So the collective “we” might not know, but “I” know… And we wouldn’t tell them to change their sinful lifestyles anyway. After all, Jesus didn’t condemn homosexuality, right?
I recognise this one statement alone is upsetting to people on both sides of this discussion, which points to the complexity of the issue for churches all over the world.
Translation: Because there’s no right answer.
I love and accept people on a personal level and if I lived next to a gay couple I would treat them with the same embrace I would any other neighbour because – surprise, surprise – not all my neighbours think like me.
Translation: See? I AM affirming! [I hope no one realizes that having a gay next door neighbors is NOT the same thing as having gay members in leadership positions within the church].
Everyone has the right to pursue happiness.
Translation: Unless you gain happiness from critiquing me when I twist the Bible. Aka: Bloody Christians.
I may totally disagree with you on what will bring people true happiness, and I will always teach and preach according to my personal convictions and the teachings of scripture…
Translation: Because clearly my opinion is much more important that Scripture, and the scriptures would agree with me. Don’t you Scriptures? DON’T YOU!?!?
…but I cannot make other people’s choices for them – and quite frankly, I don’t want to.
Translation: Even though my job as Pastor is to call out unrepentant sinners, I won’t do it because it conflicts with my personal convictions. Isn’t that right Apostle Paul? ISN’T IT!?!
That’s not my job. Even God created humanity with a free will.
Translation: It really is my job to call out homosexuality as a sin, but if I do that then I’ll become unpopular with the world.
The western world is seemingly moving quickly toward gay marriage being universally legalised,
Translation: The world is moving quickly toward gay marriage since Hillsong has refused to preach on this since or take a stance since it’s beginnings. (A bit like my friend Guglimucci.)
… so how does that affect us as a church, and how does it affect the various individual members of Hillsong Church?
Translation: Well the great news is there aren’t that many real Christians left in Hillsong church! So soon we can affirm the homosexual lifestyles. And for “individuals” of Hillsong church, you think you have rights? *cough*Tanya Levin*cough*
Gay marriage is already legalised in many places where Hillsong Church exists, and we are functioning well and without impediment.
Translation: Like I said, find a sermon where we’ve ever preached a biblical message on homosexuality.
Everyone is welcome at Hillsong church except for known predators, [*]
Translation: * Except my serial pedophile father.
… those who are disruptive, [*]
Translation: * Except me whenever I put my foot in my mouth and lie publicly in my media statements. (That’s not disruptive, that was a fumble.)
or those who have adversarial agendas. [*]
Translation: *Myself, my preaching friends (Joel Osteen, Mark Driscoll, Rick Warren, Stephen Furtick, Joyce Meyer, TD Jakes, Joseph Prince, etc.), my family and my leadership excluded.
I would like to add that everyone is welcome at Hillsong church except critics, haters, anyone who actually reads and believes their Bibles- Oh! And of course ANYONE who reads the slanderous, spineless, faceless, pompous, finger-pointing material on the evil ChurchWatch sites.
So if you are gay, are you welcome at Hillsong Church? Of course!
Translation: Of course! We financially fleece everyone equally! Lying and stealing from you is a sign that we love you.
All sinners are welcome, and that includes you, me, and everyone else.
Translation: Dropping the sin card and including myself in this makes me and Hillsong look humble, imperfect, less religious, pious and embracing differences on the standard of imperfection.
You are welcome to attend, worship with us,
Translation: Because Hillsong and non-Christians worship the same god.
[…] and participate as a congregation member
Translation: Because Hillsong and non-Christians serve the same god.
[…] with the assurance that you are personally included and accepted within our community.
Translation: Because our community doesn’t give a s#!+ what you believe anyway. #LoveGodLoveNeaigbor #JudgeNot
But (this is where it gets vexing),
Translation: Because I don’t ever like dealing with issues (or being black and white).
[…] can you take an active leadership role? No.
Translation: Accept the one’s that I already know are in leadership. (And if you are a homosexual in Hillsong leadership reading, please keep your lifestyles discreet for me sake. Please keep our trojan hor– um- I mean, Hillsong image in tact as we bully encourage other churches to join our movement.)
This won’t make everyone happy
Translation: Because our standard is happiness! 😀
[…] and to some, this stance may even be seen as hypocritical.
Translation: Hypocritical meaning that for once, we are giving a somewhat biblical defense for once in our ministry on something that we really do not want to do. (Sorry other master!)
We are a gay welcoming church but we are not a church that affirms a gay lifestyle.
Translation: But we do affirm Justin Beiber’s reckless, raunchy lifestyle! And THAT’S not being hypocritical!
I began this conversation with, “I love and care about people – from all walks of life; people with various beliefs, ethics, perspectives and lifestyles.
Translation: Except Calvinists. Bloody Calvinists!
[…] I care that humanity and some within the Christian church can be so quick to alienate and ostracise others who are different than them; those who live differently, think differently, speak differently.”
Translation: I can’t believe I just said that! Haha!
Bobbie and I were in an elevator today with a Saudi Arabian woman dressed in Muslim attire.
Translation: See! This Saudi Arabian woman dressed in Muslim attire is a Christian too! She can’t help but practice her beliefs in our church. #I’llRiseWithYou
We had a conversation in those few moments and her face lit up with the biggest, warmest smile. As she left we said to each other, ‘what a lovely lady’.
Translation: That is because she didn’t cause a disruption by questioning us.
Does that mean I now endorse her religion? No it doesn’t,
Translation: Well I actually DO believe that the Muslim and the Christian “actually serve the same God. Allah to a Muslim; to us, Abba Father God.”
[…] but if she was my neighbour I would definitely invite her over for a cup of tea, or be there for her if she was in need.
Translation: Bending the knee to Muslims, homosexuals or anyone else apart from Christians is my specialty.
I care about people and yes, I do have gay friends.
Translation: Anyone can be my friend – as long as they don’t criticise me!
Jesus had many friends that angered the religious and brought him condemnation from many.
Translation: Don’t you like it how I just compared unrepentant homosexuals to “humble sinners” and Bible believing Christians to “self-righteous Pharisees?” That’s my Jesus! He doesn’t like Christians either!
He would be the same if His time on earth as a man was in our generation, confronted with the social issues we face and are forced to address today.
Carl Lentz translation: What Brian Houston meant to say was that Jesus didn’t DEAL or CONFRONT social or moral issues. He dealt with issues of the heart. Right Brian???
If God had wanted to condemn the world He would have sent a condemner. But He didn’t, He wanted to save the world so He sent a Saviour. John 3:17.
Translation: I’ll only reference the scripture and not quote it in case people get offended that the only time I actually handle God’s Word on this blog was grossly perverted.
And now that I have finished writing my blog post, I know the world will still misunderstand my words and intentions. No one understands me but I’ll try.
WELL THERE YOU GO
We had fun “translating” this blog piece by Brian Houston. As you can see through our jest, his lies and gimmicks are repulsive. If you do not think that this man is a repulsive and compulsive liar, all one needs to do is look at the scripture he twisted at the end of this blog article. Rather than preach the gospel, he in his shame not only hid it under a bushel, but perverted it to save his name and reputation.
Here is the scripture in context:
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:16-18
Below is Brian Houston’s statement in it’s entirety.
Do I Love Gay People?
I love and care about people – from all walks of life; people with various beliefs, ethics, perspectives and lifestyles. I care that humanity and some within the Christian church can be so quick to alienate and ostracise others who are different than them; those who live differently, think differently, speak differently.
I also live by my own convictions, and hold to traditional Christian thought on gay lifestyles and gay marriage. I do believe God’s word is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman. The writings of the apostle Paul in scripture on the subject of homosexuality are also clear, as I have mentioned in previous public statements.
Hillsong Church welcomes ALL people but does not affirm all lifestyles. Put clearly, we do not affirm a gay lifestyle and because of this we do not knowingly have actively gay people in positions of leadership, either paid or unpaid. I recognise this one statement alone is upsetting to people on both sides of this discussion, which points to the complexity of the issue for churches all over the world.
I love and accept people on a personal level and if I lived next to a gay couple I would treat them with the same embrace I would any other neighbour because – surprise, surprise – not all my neighbours think like me. Everyone has the right to pursue happiness. I may totally disagree with you on what will bring people true happiness, and I will always teach and preach according to my personal convictions and the teachings of scripture, but I cannot make other people’s choices for them – and quite frankly, I don’t want to. That’s not my job. Even God created humanity with a free will.
The western world is seemingly moving quickly toward gay marriage being universally legalised, so how does that affect us as a church, and how does it affect the various individual members of Hillsong Church? I believe we can quite comfortably continue to function within that environment, presuming we are not forced through legislation to compromise our own convictions. Gay marriage is already legalised in many places where Hillsong Church exists, and we are functioning well and without impediment.
Everyone is welcome at Hillsong church except for known predators, those who are disruptive, or those who have adversarial agendas.
So if you are gay, are you welcome at Hillsong Church? Of course! You are welcome to attend, worship with us, and participate as a congregation member with the assurance that you are personally included and accepted within our community. But (this is where it gets vexing), can you take an active leadership role? No.
This won’t make everyone happy and to some, this stance may even be seen as hypocritical. We are a gay welcoming church but we are not a church that affirms a gay lifestyle.
I began this conversation with, “I love and care about people – from all walks of life; people with various beliefs, ethics, perspectives and lifestyles. I care that humanity and some within the Christian church can be so quick to alienate and ostracise others who are different than them; those who live differently, think differently, speak differently.” Bobbie and I were in an elevator today with a Saudi Arabian woman dressed in Muslim attire. We had a conversation in those few moments and her face lit up with the biggest, warmest smile. As she left we said to each other, ‘what a lovely lady’. Does that mean I now endorse her religion? No it doesn’t, but if she was my neighbour I would definitely invite her over for a cup of tea, or be there for her if she was in need.
I care about people and yes, I do have gay friends. Jesus had many friends that angered the religious and brought him condemnation from many. He endorsed a humble sinner and condemned a self-righteous Pharisee. He would be the same if His time on earth as a man was in our generation, confronted with the social issues we face and are forced to address today.
If God had wanted to condemn the world He would have sent a condemner. But He didn’t, He wanted to save the world so He sent a Saviour. John 3:17.
Love,
Brian
Source: Brian Houston, Do I Love Gay People?, Hillsong.com, http://hillsong.com/collected/blog/2015/08/do-i-love-gay-people/#.VcGAyPmqqkp, Published 04/08/2015. (Accessed 05/08/2015.)
Categories: Hillsong
Houston must surely be one of the slickest exponents of “greasy grace” imaginable! His OWN word are enough to expose what and who he is.
“I love and care about people” indeed!……………. where are all his devoted sycophantic followers who should be calling him out on this claim alone?
Aren’t the victims of your paedophile father “people”, Houston?
Aren’t those such as Tanya Levin who dare to question your abhorrent practices “people”, Houston?
Aren’t the women and children who are being abused and come to you for assistance “people”, Houston?
If you defend Houston, you defend his words and actions.
Therefore, If you also “love people” then you should show TRUE love towards this man and go to him immediately as the Bible exhorts you to do and correct him.
But be warned, if you show that TRUE Christian love towards this man you risk finding yourself victimised, banned from the church and denigrated as have those who have gone before you.
Standing up for what is RIGHT, fellow Christians takes COURAGE! And there are often unwelcome consequences. But you need look no further than Christ to see an example of that.
This fuzzy, feel-good message Houston expounds is NOT the Gospel message. Are you going to follow Houston or follow Christ – because, it is simply not possible to follow both. They travel in different directions.
Okay, so tell me: if you were a pastor (and something tells me you’re not, or you wouldn’t be so quick to point the finger at other pastors), what would YOU say on the subject, in order to show love to gay people, and to let them know they’re welcome in church?
Firstly, some of us are pastors.
Secondly, a Christian pastor is trained to handle God’s Word correctly since they are called to be a faithful ambassador for Christ. Therefore we need to be up front on the biblical position on homosexuality, what the gospel is and what the church actually is.
Thirdly, once these doctrines are clear and the gay community or individuals know where the church stands, love can exist once difference are established but appreciated. The church DOES need to be sensitive to people’s pains and brokenness. Sometimes people need to receive God’s Law before receiving God’s grace. Other’s need to receive God’s Grace because they are understand their need for a Saviour.
It’s not just the homosexual in the church feeling uncomfortable in their chairs when they are challenged of their sins. All sinners will be challenged but encouraged to receive the forgiveness of their sins. All will rejoice in the Lord’s death and supper and celebrate His resurrection life that is to come.
The best way to engage with people from all walks of life is through community activities, events or projects. This is not church but this is a great way to share Christ’s love with people and to get to know strangers. Of course people will meet homosexuals through this means and that’s great. Make friends with them, go hunting, play soccer, drink coffee, play computer games, watch movies eat out or do anything that you want to do together.
It’s an honour and a privilege to know people. And it’s remarkable when you can be a friend to someone when no one else is there. It is true that homosexual people can be incredibly vulnerable and feel very isolated.
If there are any people who can walk with them through their dark times, it should be Christians. Christ knows how dark the human soul can be. And if God can deliver us from our depths of despair, then we need to be ready for our earthly brothers and sisters when they despair.
It breaks our hearts to see Christians treat the subject of homosexuality with theologically lacking minds and compassion-less hearts. We encourage our readers to pray for the church to mature on these important matters.
Some of you are pastors. Wow. Just… wow.
Our thoughts exactly when we hear the men (and women, see https://carm.org/women-in-ministry) you allow watch over the flock. The bible calls them hirelings and wolves right, Phil?
WOW indeed Phil !!! So good to know that there are Pastors who actually obey the word of God instead of concerning themselves with their popularity and their personal wealth!
Phil, your response is mind-boggling.