Franklin Graham: ‘Of Course Our Churches Should Be Welcoming of Transgender People …”
After the Church of England voted to welcome transgender people into their congregations, evangelist Franklin Graham sounded off on the announcement.
“As Christians we have to stand firm on the Word of God,” Graham posted to Facebook. “Of course our churches should be welcoming of transgender people, in the same way we should be welcoming of anyone, because everyone needs the life-changing Good News of Jesus Christ.”
But Graham takes issue with portions of the CoE’s statements.
The official motion about transgender people reads: “That this Synod, recognizing the need for transgender people to be welcomed and affirmed in their parish church, call on the House of Bishops to consider whether some nationally commended liturgical materials might be prepared to mark a person’s gender transition.”
To Graham, the problem with transgender people at church comes with the word “affirm.”
“God’s Word is unchanging, unwavering and true. Yes, we have compassion for all, but compassion must be based on truth. God did not make people transgender—He made them male or female. And a service acknowledging someone’s gender change is a service celebrating a departing from God’s will. The Bible tells us, ‘For the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrine, but they will gather to themselves in accordance with their own desires, having itching ears. but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions’ (2 Tim. 4:3).”
What do you think? Sound off! {eoa}
