Back in the day, and by back in the day I mean 10 years ago, I was a big Jennifer Knapp fan. Her album "Kansas" is still one of my faves. It was genuine. Not long after, she just seemed to disappear of the planet. Now we know why - her faith it seems was not genuine. Denny Burk has a great post to J-Knapp's recent news...
Jennifer Knapp has come out of the closet as a lesbian, according to a recent interview with Christianity Today. In 2000, Knapp was at the top of her game as a Christian music artist, and in 2003 she announced that she was stepping away from it all. A lot has changed since then. Knapp has a new album coming out, and she is now talking openly about her homosexuality.
The interview with CT is heart-rending in more ways than one. She reveals that she has been in an 8-year relationship with a same-sex partner and that she no longer attends church. She makes it clear that the Bible’s authority is no longer definitive for her views on homosexuality. In her own words,
“I find myself between a rock and a hard place—between the conservative evangelical who uses what most people refer to as the ‘clobber verses’ to refer to this loving relationship as an abomination, while they’re eating shellfish and wearing clothes of five different fabrics, and various other Scriptures we could argue about. I’m not capable of getting into the theological argument as to whether or not we should or shouldn’t allow homosexuals within our church. There’s a spirit that overrides that for me, and what I’ve been gravitating to in Christ and why I became a Christian in the first place. . . If God expects me, in order to be a Christian, to be able to theologically justify every move that I make, I’m sorry. I’m going to be a miserable failure.”
No doubt there is a “spirit” that “overrides” what the Bible teaches, but it is not the Spirit of Christ—even though she may think that it is.
One other remark particularly caught my attention, and I believe it needs a response. In describing the process of deciding to come out, she says,
“I can’t do this. People are going to chew me up and spit me out and tell me that I’m worthless.”
I don’t know Jennifer Knapp apart from her music. I’m just one of her fans from ten years ago. I’m also someone who believes that the Bible unambiguously marks homosexuality as sin. Nevertheless, I would never say that she is worthless. In fact, I would speak to her this way: You are not worthless. You are a sinner, but you are not worthless. The gospel of Jesus Christ crucified and raised for sinners is still for you if you will have Him. If you will repent of your sin and trust in Christ, He will not cast you out—ever (John 6:37).
Pray for Jennifer Knapp. She’s been walking away from Christ for a long time, but the Lord’s arm is still not too short to save (Isaiah 59:1). I pray that it will reach her soon...
What is your response to the gay and lesbian community? Are you treating them as worthless or as image bearers of the One True God? Let us hold fast to the truth - homosexuality is sin - but let us also speak the truth in love.
Love in the Truth.
4 comments:
I love the sinner, not the sin. This is a hard one for me as I have a family member and friends that are homosexual. I don't judge them, but try and love them and in so doing, show them that Christ loves them too!
I too have family that are homosexual, and it is hard. Let us continue to pray that God softens hearts for His glory.
Was going to post but will email instead.
I am told to love the sinner, and hate the sin, so that is what I do..no one is worthless, Jesus Christ died to save all people period...thanks for sharing this very difficult post and subject, I have a family member who is gay but I love them regardless!
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