Inauguration/Separation
By Belinda Serrano
When the media began reporting some of the faces that would take part in the Presidential Inauguration on January 21, some were familiar. Beyonce would be singing at the Inaugural Ceremony along with Kelly Clarkson, and the widow of civil rights activist Medgar Evers would be praying.
The other person slated to pray at the event was Louie Giglio, a pastor from the Passion City Church near Atlanta who has led efforts to end all forms of human trafficking (slavery) through his beginning-of-the-year rallies known as the Passion conferences.
Passion is geared for college-age students from 18 to 25 years old (sadly, I've now just missed the cut to attend) that includes praise and worship from some of the most well-known contemporary Christian artists like David Crowder and Chris Tomlin, along with preaching from prominent yet modern preachers like Giglio and John Piper.
They also raise awareness and money--thousands of dollars--to end worldwide slavery, which I deem quite impressive for that demographic. President Obama was impressed with Giglio's effort, thus leading to the invitation to pray at his ceremony.
Giglio admitted that while some of his views didn't meet eye-to-eye with President Obama, they had formed a friendship based on his reason for being selected. But once some media outlets did their own investigations of Giglio, they brought out a past sermon of his from almost two decades ago. Its topic brought confusion, and many on the left--specifically an advocacy group--calling for his removal from the inauguration.
So what did he speak on? It was a sermon regarding homosexuality.
I spent some time--almost 55 minutes, to be exact--to listen to the sermon (I even took notes on it) and you know what I heard? The voice of a man who is heartbroken over this and other sins mentioned in the Bible.
"We're not going to attack homosexuals," he said in the beginning of his message. "That's not our intent." The Bible references used throughout come from both the Old and New Testament--Leviticus chapters 18 and 20, Romans 1 and First Corinthians 6.
The sermon was delivered in 1995, yet Giglio does an outstanding job in using culturally relevant ideas to present the current state of the homosexual agenda. But his message deals with the Christian response to homosexuality, noting that Christ-followers must have a "hand of grace but standard of truth" when addressing the issue.
Giglio urges the audience to hear what God's voice has to say and to see His perspective on the matter. He goes on to point out that God's view of homosexuality is different than his view of a homosexual person; God is opposed to all kinds of sins but He still loves and cares for those who commit any and all sins.
Thus, Christians must exhibit actions as they show love, mercy and grace while holding on to truth. Giglio outlines five Christ-like actions in addressing homosexuality: remaining anchored in the truth, lovingly yet firmly responding to the aggressive agenda portrayed by many in the homosexual community, striving--as the body of Christ--to understand the struggles and issues faced by someone who is homosexual, extending hope to homosexuals and all people through the message of Jesus Christ, and building a Christian community that is filled with honesty and acceptance.
Giglio was kind with his words, passionate with his speech, and one of few people who truly exhibited "speaking the truth in love" in his message. But unfortunately, we have finally come to the time where a sermon founded on the Bible is now being considered "hate speech".
He didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so Giglio held discussions with the White House and stepped down from his role. He offered a statement to the White House, pointing out that his presence, prayer and overall message would be a hindrance to the event.
"Our nation is deeply divided and hurting," his submitted statement concluded, "and more than ever we need God’s grace and mercy in our time of need."
In turn, a spokesperson for the Presidential Inaugural committee then responded. While Giglio's selection was based on his efforts to end human trafficking, his sermon "[didn't] reflect our desire to celebrate the strength and diversity of our country."
She also went on to say that their next choice would be a person whose "beliefs reflect this administration’s vision of inclusion and acceptance for all Americans".
While I firmly believe that our nation was founded on the values and characteristics of the Bible--thus leading America to being called a Christian nation, the actions of those in leadership--at least in this instance--seem to prove that we no longer cling to those standards.
I shouldn't be surprised at this move--after all, the President spent his first term allowing his view of the issue to "evolve". But it does anger me, frustrate me and sadden me that we have come to this point.
This means we--as Christ-followers--have abandoned this matter while conquering abortion and the most recent fight of gun regulation. Or maybe some are addressing the issue, but have come at it with so much malice and hatred that they main point of presenting Christ has been excluded from the presentation.
So when the news networks broadcast the Inauguration Ceremony on Monday, we'll see someone different in a role to pray. Yes, the Bible of Martin Luther King, Jr. will be used, but its presence is merely tangible from a physical perspective. Its practices, however, are fading fast. May we who proclaim the name of Christ take action through prayer, words and other means to bring the message of the Bible to our country.
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