by David Dann
Synopsis: David reviews a recent statement by presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, who claims that God approves and endorses the homosexual lifestyle.
Through the prophet Isaiah, the Holy Spirit issues the following warning: "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa. 5:20).
Democratic presidential hopeful and current mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg, recently made headlines with his public challenge to Vice-President Mike Pence. Described as a "devout Episcopalian," Buttigieg is the first U.S. presidential candidate to live the homosexual lifestyle openly and is "married" to a man named Chasten.
According to aCBS News report, Mayor Pete gave a speech in which he said this: "My marriage to Chasten has made me a better man and yes, Mr. Vice President, it has moved me closer to God… I can tell you, that if me being gay was a choice, it was a choice that was made far, far above my pay grade… And that's the thing I wish the Mike Pence's of the world could understand, that if you have a problem with who I am, your problem is not with me. Your quarrel, sir, is with my Creator" (Emily Tillett, CBS News).
What do we find when we consult Mayor Pete's Creator on such matters as these?
God has decreed that the homosexual lifestyle is sinful. The Creator inspired the apostle Paul to write disapprovingly of a situation in which, "Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due" (Rom. 1:27). Aside from being "shameful" and "error," homosexual behavior is also described in this section of Scripture as being "vile," "against nature" (v. 26), "not fitting" (v. 28), and as conduct that results from rejecting the Creator. Contrary to Mayor Pete's assertion, the one who argues in favor of homosexuality is the one who is quarreling with his Creator.
God does not lead men into sin. While Mayor Pete implies that his homosexual behavior is the result of a choice that his Creator made for him, the Bible indicates otherwise. James writes, "Let no one say when he is tempted, 'I am tempted by God'; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed" (Jas. 1:13-14). Rather than forcing anyone to engage in sinful conduct, God provides a way of escape in the face of temptation (cf. 1 Cor. 10:13). The inspired wise man writes, "Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes" (Eccl. 7:29). Neither Mayor Pete, nor anyone else, may legitimately blame the Creator for his own choice to pursue a sinful lifestyle.
God does not have fellowship with sinners. Of his "marriage" to a man, Mayor Pete boldly claims that, "It has moved me closer to God." However, the truth is that sin never moves anyone closer to God, and instead only alienates the sinner from his Creator. The apostle John writes, "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth" (1 John 1:5-6). Like all sinners, Mayor Pete must repent of his sin and obey the truth in order to draw near to God (cf. Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:17-18; 1 Cor. 6:9-11).
We have grown accustomed to those who are engaged in sin voicing their rejection of God, Christ, and the Bible. However, we have now entered a new era in which a high-profile public figure, who lives an openly sinful lifestyle, not only claims to be a Christian but also claims that God approves of his sin. "Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren" (Jas. 1:16).
Tillett, Emily. 2019. "Buttigieg Challenges Pence on LGBTQ Rights: 'Your Quarrel Is with My Creator.'"CBS News. April 8, 2019. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pete-buttigieg-2020-mayor-challenges-mike-pence-on-lgbtq-rights-saying-his-quarrel-is-with-my-creator/.
Author Bio: David has labored with the Hebron Lane Church of Christ in Shepherdsville, KY since 2016. He and his wife, Cynthia, have been blessed with six children. The church website is hebronlane.com. He can be reached at ddann1@hotmail.com.
