Merritt vs. Merritt on Homosexuality by Peter Lumpkins

I recently posted some pieces raising questions toward Jonathan Merritt's innovative approach to the gay agenda systematically imposed on our culture. In my view, young Merritt's position forfeits entirely too much ground to aggressive policy-hawks who desire to cater to homosexual lobbyists. No only so, Merritt's stern condemnation of evangelicals' moral reservations in supporting homosexual lifestyles, consequently making gay orientation and gay practice no more culturally prohibitive than people who gossip, cannot reasonably stand as a socio-ethical option conservative Christians can honestly consider.  For those desiring a refresher, below are the links >>>

• Jonathan Merritt, Evangelicalism, and Gods New Game Plan for Reaching Gays
• Jonathan Merritt and Al Mohler: Have Southern Baptists Lied About Homosexuality?
• James Merritt, Jonathan Merritt, and Two Seminary Presidents

As a follow up, I want to make two quick points.  First, neither Jonathan Merritt nor Dr. Al Mohler has offered to elaborate on Merritt's insistence that Dr. Mohler stated explicitly, "we've lied about the nature of homosexuality" and thereby exploited the "language of choice" when we knew it to be "clear that sexual orientation is a deep inner struggle and not merely a matter of choice.” To Jonathan's credit, he responded to my challenge toward his use of Dr. Mohler's words expressing my firm reservation that Dr. Mohler would have uttered the words he claimed without serious qualification(s). However, Merritt insisted in a post-publication conversation he had with Mohler, that Dr. Mohler "did not mention that his quote was taken out of context." More significantly, Jonathan refused to offer the interview transcript he indicated he possessed to substantiate his claims. In addition, Dr. Mohler disappointingly has not responded to the quotes Jonathan claims come from Dr. Mohler. I've twice emailed Dr. Mohler, but no response has been offered.*

Second, I want to contrast Jonathan Merritt's stance on homosexuality and what he deems a proper, evangelical response to homosexual behavior with his dad's response, former two-term president of the Southern Baptist Convention and Senior Pastor at Cross Pointe Church, Dr. James Merritt. Jonathan serves as Director of College and Single Adults at Cross Pointe Church. Cross Pointe members may be surprised.

Below is a video. Make up your own mind.

With that, I am...

Peter

*I fully understand neither email may have made it to Dr. Mohler's inbox for any number of reasons

 

 

Comments

[Tom Parker]

Why does it matter what his father thinks of his son's view?

[selahV (a.k.a. hariette petersen)]

"God loves you just the way you are, but He loves you too much to let you stay that way." whew...isn't that the truth! I guess this just goes to prove that sons and fathers, mothers and daughters, etc. are going to be at odds with one another, hunh? Could this video be an illustration of Christ's prophetic words explaining that He had come with a sword to divide? selahV

[peter lumpkins]

S,

I don't know. I do know I really am uncomfortable doing a piece on disparate views between Father & son. It's surely not my forte. I believe, however, Jonathan's widely-read view needs to be challenged, especially since he is staffed at a church which people presume is a conservative Southern Baptist congregation. If Cross Pointe was a "moderate" or "liberal" church I don't think I'd be taking any time on it at all. But CP is not, and frankly I don't think his church knows how "radical" his views are compared to Dr. Merritt's.

Have a great day.

With that, I am...
Peter

[Remi]

I don't think this is any more complicated than merrit wants to serve two masters. He wants the world to accept him.

The idea that you are going to buddy up to the homosexual community and trick them into one day thinking it is sinful is just ridiculous, and unbiblical.

[Lawrence T.]

It must be painful for the elder Merritt to preach on Sundays from the platform where his own son stands to commit the undoing of the dad's previously outstanding ministry. I have visited at times both Crosspoint and Merritt's previous church in Snellville and there is no comparison. In Snellville (this would have been about 2001, i think), I experienced a dynamic, vibrant evangelistic and loving congretation. There was exciting worship the times I was there. In stark contrast, however, recently i visited the Merritts' current church and found the place cold and hollow. In the service I attended I was stunned to hear Jonathan Merritt scold many in the congregation who arrive late, toward the end of the music portion of the program, saying that it was disrespectful to the musicians who had worked hard to put on their program. Were I a member there I would now be an ex-member. There was no fire, just a band performing songs from the radio, followed by a sermon (by the senior pastor Merritt) that was very good, as I recall, though I can't remember the topic. Unfortunately the message was overshadowed by the scolding from the young Merritt. What a tragedy to see a legacy go up in smoke like that.