Carl Lentz, in marketing himself as pastor to Hollywood celebrities, has demonstrated his complete ineptness at addressing the very serious sins overwhelming the particular culture he likes to move in.
As a result, with his apparent lack of theological depth, he’s unable to present Jesus Christ and His redeeming sacrifice fairly to this same culture that is drowning in its own sin. But as a high profile leader of a (cult) movement that uses Christianity to bolster its credibility while surfing the waves of popular trends and fads, did people expect Carl Lentz to not buckle under social pressure and address these very important issues clearly?
Christians believe abortion to be murder, and even in many non-Christian societies, abortion is considered murder. In this interview where Lentz was invited on ‘The View’ to talk about his book (24 minutes in), Lentz was asked if abortion was considered a sin in his church. What does Carl Lentz say about abortion?
HILLSONG ON ABORTION
When it comes to Hillsong on the topic of abortion, Carl Lentz demonstrates how Hillsong leaders flip-flop over the issue. Frankly this flip-flop dialogue, being espoused by Hillsong leadership, is consistent throughout the movement.
“Um, that’s the kind of conversation we would have – finding out your story, where you’re from, what you believe. Yeah, I mean, God’s the judge. People have to live with their own convictions. And I think if I have to tell you- Um. That’s such a- that’s such a broad question. To me, I’m going- I’m going higher. I want to sit with somebody and say, ‘What do you believe?’ […] I think, to me, I’m trying to teach people who Jesus is first. Find out their story, before I start picking and choosing what I think is sin in your life. I’d like to know your name.”
Source: Carl Lentz, On The View October 30 2017 | CARL LENTZ, YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kaQgqN4ixZg, Published Oct 30 2017. (Accessed Nov 02 2017.) [26:45]
‘Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks’. Matthew 12:34
Hillsong once again flip-flopping on this issue by lying to Christians (as they have with issues about homosexuality). They do this to reassure their followers they are ‘Christian’ in nature, hiding behind orthodoxy (the very thing they publicly show contempt and hostility towards) while at the same time siding with culture – in order to be the world’s most popular church. This can even be heard in this interview where Carl Lentz can’t help but take a dig at ‘religious’ people. However, the spiritual cowardice of Hillsong leadership highlight who the real threat to Christianity really is.
We encourage you to visit these sites below where you can review what other Christian pastors, leaders, theologians & social commentators are saying about Carl Lentz’ stance on abortion.
Pulpit & Pen:
Carl Lentz on “The View” Compromises on Abortion and Homosexuality, Promotes Dominionist Social Gospel
Quote: “He continued to say, “I think, to me, I’m trying to teach people who Jesus is first [and] find out their story. Before I start picking and choosing what I think is sin in your life, I’d like to know your name.” This wrongfully implies that there is an occasion in which murdering an unborn would not be sin, and that somehow what is and isn’t a sin changes from person to person.”
Source: By Brandon Hines, Carl Lentz on “The View” Compromises on Abortion and Homosexuality, Promotes Dominionist Social Gospel, Pulpit & Pen, http://pulpitandpen.org/2017/11/02/carl-lentz-on-the-view-compromises-on-abortion-and-homosexuality-promotes-dominionist-social-gospel/, Published Nov 02 2017. (Accessed Nov 05 2017.) [Cache]
The Federalist:
Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Provides Moral Cover For Abortion On ‘The View’
Quote: “Last Monday, around 1:20 p.m. EST, hundreds of babies were being surgically dismembered, decapitated, poisoned, and otherwise violently killed inside abortion clinics around the country. Simultaneously, Hillsong Church NYC mega-pastor Carl Lentz had a platform from which to speak in their defense while a guest on “The View.” He refused to do so. In fact, he took the opportunity to suggest that their deaths can in some cases be justified and that the people killing them should continue living according to their own convictions.”
Source: Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Provides Moral Cover For Abortion On ‘The View’, The Federalist, http://thefederalist.com/2017/11/06/hillsong-pastor-carl-lentz-provides-moral-cover-abortion-view/. (Accessed Nov 06 2017.) [Cache]
The Daily Wire:
Dear Media (And Carl Lentz), The Youngest Victim Of Sutherland Springs Was In The Womb
Quote: “Last week, when Hillsong New York senior pastor Carl Lentz was asked by Joy Behar on ABC’s The View about abortion, he pivoted and did not address that it is: 1. Murder, and 2. a sin.
Sadly, in young hipster churches today celebrity pastors find it more important to speak outagainst the 1st and 2nd Amendments, as seen here, here, and here, than to preach what the Bible says about human life and its value on earth and to God.”
Source: Elisha Krauss, Dear Media (And Carl Lentz), The Youngest Victim Of Sutherland Springs Was In The Womb, The Daily Wire, http://www.dailywire.com/news/23237/dear-media-and-carl-lentz-youngest-victim-elisha-krauss, Published Nov 06 2017. (Accessed Nov 06 2017.) [Archived]
The Resurgent:
Hillsong Minister Exposes His Heart – May God Forgive Him
Quote: “Jesus told us, “the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). In these shocking few seconds, Carl Lentz revealed what his heart is full of – may God forgive him.
There is a reason that Scripture warns, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). Carl Lentz should acknowledge this warning, repent, and resign. Not for my sake, not for the cause of the unborn, but for himself. […] Carl Lentz was given his moment to defend the “least of these.” He chose to pass.”
Source: By Peter Heck, Hillsong Minister Exposes His Heart – May God Forgive Him, The Resurgent, http://theresurgent.com/hillsong-minister-exposes-his-heart-may-god-forgive-him/, Published Nov 07, 2017. (Accessed Nov 06 2017.) [Archived]
The Daily Caller:
Megachurch Pastor Refuses To Condemn Abortion
Quote: “Megachurch pastor Carl Lentz refused to give a clear answer on whether or not abortion is sinful during an interview on “The View.” […] “To me, I’m trying to teach people who Jesus is first, and find out their story,” Lentz added.”
Source: By Grace Carr, Megachurch Pastor Refuses To Condemn Abortion, The Daily Caller, http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/06/megachurch-pastor-refuses-to-condemn-abortion/, Published Nov 06 2017. (Accessed Nov 06 2017.) [Archived]
LifeNews.Com:
Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Refuses to Say If Abortion is Sinful: “Live to Your Own Convictions”
Quote: “Lentz replied: “I think our job is still to help people—not necessarily change how they think—but try to point them to what God has said, what we believe the Bible [has] to say. We believe that God is good, that God loves everybody, that Jesus was here to set people free, and that’s still the good news of the gospel.””
Source: By Macaiah Bilger, Hillsong Pastor Carl Lentz Refuses to Say If Abortion is Sinful: “Live to Your Own Convictions”, LifeNews.Com, http://dailycaller.com/2017/11/06/megachurch-pastor-refuses-to-condemn-abortion/, Published Nov 06 2017. (Accessed Nov 06 2017.) [Archived]
RedState.Com:
Hipster Pastor Carl Lentz Pulls A Tomi Lahren On The View
Quote: “If there is anything our world does not need, it’s spineless leaders in the faith community.
As I’m sure you’ve noticed, American society is on a downward trajectory. We’re not just slowly heading down the tracks into irreversible damage, we’re speeding toward it, brakes out, no stopping in sight.”
Source: By Kimberley Ross, Hipster Pastor Carl Lentz Pulls A Tomi Lahren On The View, RedState.Com, https://www.redstate.com/kimberly_ross/2017/11/07/hipster-pastor-lentz-the-view/, Published Nov 07 2017. (Accessed Nov 06 2017.) [Archived]
Even the Babylon Bee have a satirical piece on Carl Lentz’ verbal gymnastics about baby murder:
Source: Babylon Bee, In Response Question About Abortion,Hillsong’s Carl Lentz Boldly Declares He left the Stove On, BabylonBee.com, http://babylonbee.com/news/response-question-about-abortion-hillsongs-carl-lentz-boldly-declares-left-stove-has/, Published Nov 06 2017. (Accessed Nov 9 2017.)
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Categories: Hillsong