A Defiant Jennifer Knapp Defends Homosexuality on Larry King

Posted on April 26, 2010
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A defiant Christian Singer Jennifer Knapp takes on a pastor of last week's Larry King Live... Watch the video, then let's discuss:

First of all, while I do think that homosexuality, biblically, is a sin, I think Jennifer makes a couple of good points:

1. She is correct when she asks why this one sin is chosen to debate. Homosexuality is the big taboo sin in Christian culture these days. I'm not saying that is a bad thing; but it is seen as a much greater sin than any number of other sins combined: lying, cheating, divorce, living together before marriage, guttony, gossip. Many of these are tolerated. We very seldom ask the glutton or the gossip to turn from their sinful ways. We just assign them to a different committee.

2. She does, I think, have a point against the pastor. He is not her pastor. He does not have the power/privelege of speaking into her life; privately or on national television.

That said,

1. Jennifer cannot condone her sin by saying that other people who sin are getting a free pass. It might be true, but it doesn't allow her to play the 'they're sinning so I can sin' card.

2. Unfortunately, Jennifer has (as have many other gay christians) found a spiritual leader that has said that homosexuality is acceptable under scripture.

This is not the first time that a Christian singer has come out of the closet. Ray Boltz came out a few years ago (no one ever say that one coming!). Kirk Talley shocked Southern Gospel fans with a scandal a few years back as well. I'm sure there are others that will happen in the future.

How will/are you responding to Jennifer's announcement? Will you buy her album (if you're a fan?) Will you continue to use her music in your services? Would you attend her concert? Would you have her sing in your church?

And what do you make of her defiant attitude on Larry King? Justified or not?

I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Todd

Comments

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Tye Male on Mon, April 26, 2010

@Keith - well said.
@Peter - ditto
Paul on Mon, April 26, 2010

It’s “normal” to want to personally condone one’s own sin. It’s even more normal to attempt to dismiss the sin by finding others who accept it. Ms. Knapp is being “normal”, but that doesn’t make her right.
This is not an issue of condemning anothers sin, it’s just being honest.
As for the pastor who appeared with her on Larry King, he has every right and possibly obligation to comment on a “public spiritual leader” who is actively promoting something contrary to the Scriptures.
I know I can be cynical at times, but my personal assumption is that this is all Ms Knapp’s attempt at publicity and selling records. If she was content living an opening homosexual life in Australia, why “come out” in America now? Could it be that controversy sells records?
I’m tired of the whole “scapegoat” arguement. No one is making homosexuals scapegoats for their own sins - sin is sin. It hurts us and it hurts others.
And it is Ms Knapp who is identifying herself as homosexual. She is the one who has placed herself on the public stage. It seems disingenuous to then challenge others who comment on her public statements/actions.
Every person - no matter what their “orientation” has every human right to do what they wish and deal with the consequences - it’s just very bad taste to insist that others accept their actions or worse to push it into others faces. That goes for any sin.
Steve Gedon on Mon, April 26, 2010

I think what makes the homosexuality such a lightning rod is that it is being thrust upon the church for a response. I don’t find the church going out looking for homosexuals to attack. I do find, however, that Jennifer wants the church to condone her lifestyle as properly Christian, according to Scripture. When that happens, the Church as the Body of Christ must respond according to what we know of Scripture. Would we not do the same for adultery, cheating, stealing, gossip, etc.?

Did you notice how Larry King framed the discussion, that the pastor was sitting in judgment and thus sendind her to hell. Clearly putting the pastor on the defensive and painting him as a bad guy. In fact, I thought the pastor’s role was to clarify if God’s word condones homosexuality and thus sin or Christian. The pastor cannot sit in judgment of anyone (God does that), he should simply interprete God’s Word as given to us through prophets, apostles, and saints. If we’re against judgmentalism, then perhaps we should take it up with them.
Gregg Lamm on Mon, April 26, 2010

Thanks for the link. I watched all four parts of Jennifer’s Larry King interview, and am not sure why Todd picked the word “defiant” to describe her. Confident, respectful, measured, inquisitive, and patient, are what I saw.

At the moment, Jennifer is on a nation-wide tour with Derek Webb. In fact, they’re playing at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR tomorrow night, 27 April. I’d go if I had the dough, ‘cause I’d kive to hear these two crooners croon together. I wish Derek Webb had been on Larry King instead of Pastor Bob. Godspeed.
Lori on Mon, April 26, 2010

Many people have expressed well what I think of this situation so I won’t rehash their thoughts.

To Todd’s question about her albums and music. I won’t buy her albums or use her music. Because she sins? No, of course not, we all do that. But its more that she is living a continuous, open, unrepentant lifestyle of sin and claiming to be singing for, to and about God in worship. This is a contradictory message. I would feel this way about anyone openly and continuously in sin. All Christian artists make mistakes, but they don’t usually ask the world to condone and accept it.

My heart breaks for Jennifer and the Christians who may follow her example.
Trey Gambill on Mon, April 26, 2010

“Does he/will he make a difference in Jennifer�s life? No. Because he doesn�t have a relationship with her. Let�s face it� when the first time you meet someone they are there to tell you that you are wrong and in sin, your chances of making a positive change in that person is next to nill. “

I do believe that those closest to Ms. Knapp should be the ones addressing sin in here life, but, at the same time,
I think sometimes we underestimate the power of the the resident Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. Of the Holy Spirit: “And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:” Is it possible that the Holy Spirit can use a stranger proclaiming truth to convict a believer of sin? I think HE can.
Brent on Mon, April 26, 2010

Just to clarify…we do have marches and events to support “gluttony” (every heard of mardi gras, or most likely the last church picnic you went to). The reason we pay attention to the homosexual “movement” is because it’s one of the few things we still consider a sin. We have support groups for divorcees (that support their decision to get divorced), we have industries that produce billions of dollars of Christian junk each year (further feeding our consumerism), we have members in our churches who are living together, and even if we think that’s wrong I have known few pastors who still wouldn’t marry them “to make it okay.” Don’t blame the gay movement for our attitude. I’m not saying homosexuality isn’t a sin, but it’s our favorite sin to address, partially because it doesn’t effect us.

Brent
Mason Stanley on Mon, April 26, 2010

A couple of thoughts that might produce some more great thoughts and comments.

Is it possible to be homosexual and a christian? If not, is it possible to be gluttonous and a christian? Are we so homophobic in the church world that we aren’t willing to say it is possible because we don’t want to come across as accepting of the lifestyle choice?

Also, in Galations 6:1 we get the principle, the command, for those who are spiritual to confront those who are caught in sin. We also get the reminder to consider ourselves unless we also stumble on our on humanity and fall into our own individual sin trap. Paul writes that to the Galtians. Is he telling the Galatians to call out those in the Ephesian church, or is he telling the Galatians to call out those who are in their own called out assembly? And before you answer “both” make sure you understand the context and the intended audience.

It seems to me we take personalized, assembly letters and apply the principle to the “universal church” with out taking into consideration why it was so advantageous for a Galtian to call out a Galtian and for an Ephesian to call out an Ephesians. “What” is not the only question you should ask when reading scriptures.
Todd Rhoades on Mon, April 26, 2010

BC Said:

Todd, I don�t want to misunderstand your words, but you�re not suggesting that if I feel no conviction of sin, then it must really not be sin?

You know, I almost clarified myself right after I wrote the comment. No, that is not at all what I meant.

It does seem to me that one of these has to be the case though that when we are involved with something that is classified biblically as sin and we don’t change:

1. The Holy Spirit is not doing his job; or
2. We’re not listening to the Holy Spirit.

I hope you can guess which I think is the true one.

Todd
Todd Rhoades on Mon, April 26, 2010

Phil,

Point well taken. I don’t think I was condemning the pastor for appearing. Some here have done that, but I don’t think I was one of them.

What I did say was that I think that if the pastor thought that by doing this he would change Jennifer’s mind and bring her to repentance, he was mistaken.

That’s where I think Jennifer has a point. If she is to be confronted on her sin, (and it make a difference for her), then it has to be from people she respects… and KNOWS. Perhaps from her colleagues in the Christian Music Industry. They know her; and she would respect them. What if a Michael W. Smith said those same words to her as the pastor on Larry King. It very well may mean more coming from him.

That’s all I’m saying.

Todd
CS on Mon, April 26, 2010

Peter:

“CS, your”

You trailed off there, buddy. =)

—
CS
David McClain on Mon, April 26, 2010

It seems most people on this site agree that 1. Homosexuality is a sin, and , 2., Knapp’s argument that “their are other sins that are comparable but do get the same hostility” does not fly. That alone is an important starting point.

But, I question whether homosexuality can be identified as “just another sin.” I would argue that homosexuality rises to a higher level of sin than lying, cheat, obessity which we all consider to be wrong. I cite four reasons.

1. We should be reminded that Sodom and Gomorrah was provided as a warning to future generations according the context in Genesis as God interacted with Abraham. It shows us the degree to which man can go and warns us not to go there. The sins of Sodom and Gommorah were both sexual and coercive. Sexual sin can easy lead to the second.

2. In Romans 1 it says three times God abandoned them to their homosexuality- in other words God judgement on people was to let them live in their lust without restraint. He would not correct or intervene- that is his judgement. In that same context homosexuality is tied closely to other sins that rise above the level of others listted by Knapp.

3. In the first church council in Acts 15 there very vew things that are listed as expectations that should be placed on the Gentiles in regard to coming to Christ. It is noteworthy that sexual immorality is one of them. While there are other sins that could be identified, at the very least do not rise to the level that the council thought should be listed.

4. In I Corithians 5 where Paul lists some sins that were common among the people of Corinth (which included homosexuality) and says they will not inhereit the kingdom of God he continues “... and that was what some of you were before you were washed…”. The point is that this is among the lis of sins that should be abandoned.

While we agree that sin is sin it is also true that not all sin is equal. No one, at least to my awareness, is forming organizations and political groups to force the acceptance of lying, cheating or adultery. Do people do those things, yeah, but we do not condone them and discourage the exercise of them. Obesity, as another example, is cited as a safety and health issue and is often discouraged.
Peter Hamm on Mon, April 26, 2010

CS,

I was afraid to admit it, but I think I agreed a lot with your first response. That’s all. I am more conservative on this issue than people guess I am…
GC on Mon, April 26, 2010

Well a lot has already been said that I do not want to rehash but here’s a few thoughts (remember these are not to Jennifer but about the situation):

Biblically - Paul makes it clear that sins of sexual nature are very dangerous because of the nature of the sin. He warns the Corinthians at the same time commending them for having come out of such sexual sins.

Todd - the “I’m not Jesus” comment is a poor argument. Are you also by implication saying that only “relational evangelism” is effective? The power is not in the presenter but the Word of God and the God of the Word. Are you also saying that Christians should keep quiet no matter unless we build the relationship? Slippery slope time…

You ask about the Holy Spirit - Do you not think that right now she is grieving or quenching the Spirit? Does someone involved in pre-marital sex or adulterous relationship not do the same?

I really can’t believe that your “argument” or implied statement about the Holy Spirit not convicting her of her sin. How do you know? Is her current spiritual “leader” (What is that anyway) the same she had 10 years ago? Did she find someone recently who appeased her lifestyle?

Unless you know a whole lot more than you have led us to believe - A Christian who comes out like she did has opened herself to hearing from the community that she so blatantly defies.

It really is a disgrace that our best argument is “why aren’t these other sins mentioned?” I am sure Jesus is so exalted and honored by that. Maybe we should just quit speaking of sin altogether - Oh, yeah, We have some pastors already doing that.

Tickle the ears…feels so good.

In His Grace,
Drew on Mon, April 26, 2010

I have never really been a Jennifer Knapp fan. When I was working at a Christian bookstore she came for an “in-store.” I would always look forward to these because it gave me a chance to meet several different Christian artists. Well, let’s just say I was not impressed with Knapp. Now I know people sometimes can just have bad days, but it was pretty obvious to me where her heart was. All she seemed to be concerned about was album sales. She was not concerned about her fans, and definitely not concerned about whether or not God was honored.

It blows my mind that now she can accuse this pastor and not see his concern for her. Homosexuality is WRONG! Granted it does not excuse anyone’s sin, but homosexuality is a sin and cannot be excused either. I pray that God will convict Knapp of her own sin!