From a Gospel Coalition article of when Martin Llyod Jones confronted a negative pastor: “Well,” he queried, “what about this: you remember Paul in Galatians 2? He had to withstand Peter to the face. He did not want to do it. Peter was an older apostle, a leader and so on. Paul did it very reluctantly, but he had to do it for the sake of the truth. I am in exactly that position. What do you say to that?” “I would say this,” I responded, “that the effect of what Paul did was to win Peter round to his position and make him call him ‘our beloved brother Paul.’ Can you say the same about the people whom you attack?”
I missed the part where Peter said, "Paul wants me to recant and to repent ... To repent??? I-I-I repent daily, but the fact of the matter is I'm not ready to repent over this. I don't have to!!!"
@@mikekayanderson408 I taught a course for Army NCOs on performance counseling. When correcting someone, we need to convey a desire to help, and if we're doing it right, the person we're correcting will thank us. So yes, "call him out" but with loving concern.
Thank you, Dr. Ortlund. Your irenic contribution to this "debate'" is a breath of fresh air. Pastor Begg is my absolute favourite preacher to whom I listen daily. I respect his viewpoint as he explained in his message to his own congregation last Sunday (""Compassion versus Condemnation"), and he has clearly opposed same-sex marriage in the past and preached courageously on Romans 1:18ff last year. However, his advice invited criticism that attendance at a same-sex wedding would compromise an evangelical witness (e.g., what if the minister does ask, "Can anyone give reason why this couple should not be married?"!) Sadly, as you note, there are those who are quick to find fault and even "cancel" a faithful preacher through whom God has blessed countless listeners to "Truth for Life". The adversary satan must be thrilled at the prospect of Alistair's voice being silenced. Again, thank you for reminding us of our duty to love one another and not to bite and devour each other (Galatians 5:15).
He hasn’t been ‘cancelled’, he has been dis-invited to the Shepherds Conference, which is wise, as it would only cause upset and controversy at the Conference which would not be good. Other conservative and faithful leaders in the Church have approached and contacted Alistair Begg with the aim of correcting his mistake - approaches and criticism which sadly he calls ‘Phariseeism’. The other ‘usual subjects’ - the heresy hunters, count for nothing and we ignore them. Alistair Begg must be given time and space to reflect on his very bad advice, and perhaps by God’s grace may repent and take a different view in time. I shall continue to listen to his channel until it becomes apparent that he won’t move. Then there must be a parting of the ways, without acrimony or false self-righteousness. For we are called to follow God not men.
@@Over-for-now He didn't say heresy, and we need to be extremely careful about throwing that word around. Heresy is for those who deny essential truths about God and the gospel and/or who separate themselves from the church at large. Like denying Jesus' truly divine-truly human nature, denying the resurrection, denying God's holiness, etc. Even if you could prove persuasively that Begg's advice was sinful (it isn't, though I disagree with him), it's not within a hundred miles of heresy. And it's sinful to accuse a faithful minister of heresy when they haven't committed it.
I’ve never seen your posts before and I am thanking God for seeing this one. My heart as also been grieved for how this is playing out in the public domain. It seemed to me almost immediately that everyone was missing Pastor Begg’s heart for the lost and willingness to practice radical love for sinners. If we think that we are going to agree with everyone all the time we have not understood Jesus’ warnings, prayers for us, nor human nature. Thank you so much for your compassionate, gentle, and reasoned counsel here. We must show love to one another. Along with loving our enemies, it is indeed how we will get the world’s attention and show God’s glory. Thank you!
Nobody has "missed" that. We recognize that his "heart for the lost" has blinded him such that he's teaching people to hate them and thinking it's love. Of course he means well! But good intentions do not excuse sin. Good intentions do not excuse redefining "love." Good intentions do not excuse pleasing man rather than God. Good intentions do not excuse promoting hypocrisy as the best way to "win sinners." And those who are affirming such things are complicit in causing people to stumble.
You are so right! We allowed dear Alistair Begg to go from Scotland to you there in the USA! He is the BEST preacher we have right now. Forget all your Hinns, Copelands, Johnsons and other REAL heretics! Support and LOVE men like Alistair. Let the LORD Jesus be his judge - not you. With grace and love. Peter - an 83 year old in the UK. Yippee!
Thank you so much for a gracious and thoughtful view on this entire episode. It’s been fuel for the enemy to take down a ministry that has done so very much to bring people to Christ and teach the Bible. The way the feeding frenzy has gone has made me weep.
Thank you for your wisdom and perspective Gavin. Christian author and theologian Greg Koukl (Stand to Reason) shared a very similar perspective and I believe you are both right on the mark. Again, thank you for being willing to share your views. It’s a blessing for us individually and for the body as well.
Thanks for expressing this so well, Pastor. I came upon you through your appearance on Beckett Cook's channel. I've enjoyed your content. I am an amateur student of Church history and find your videos very interesting.
Thank you for this video Gavin! This video has articulated the exact way in which we should disagree with others. I have loved Alistair begg for years and this recent controversy has not changed my opinion on him as a pastor. The recent sermon Alistair shared on Luke 15 is very insightful to understand where he is coming from. All that being said, this video is the best response I have heard to the controversy and this is a must watch for anyone in leadership. Thank you once again Gavin for your work on this channel! Once again it has really blessed me to watch this
“Very few people will survive the environment we are creating right now” - I think that is precisely the intent of some of the biggest drivers in this space. I won’t name names because I can’t know for sure, but having grown up in ministry in some of those spaces, enough has been said out loud to believe that they are *happy* to cancel anyone who doesn’t believe exactly what they believe from top to bottom.
It's dangerous isn't it. Rather than being able to get input on topics from a broad range of Christians with different views we will be in danger of fragmenting into multiple cult like groups.
@@gareth2736 i thought Begg characterizing those who criticized his counsel as Pharisees and fundamentalists who likely were suppressing their own gay lusts was pretty effective if fragmentation is the goal.
I find this happens more in Calvinist circles than others. That strain of theology tends to cause many to be less graceful and tolerant of people with other theological views.
WOWEE Gavin somebody who is making sense of this situation with Pastor Begg. the think is that most of these who made video after video about this would not give him the light of day on their videos normally. but the smell of blood and they are in to point whats wrong and criticise, over and over, no humility just needing to ramp up views/revenue. so Gavin your video was level, encouraging and yes having a blessed view. iIt is a first listen it was such pleasure to listen to you, thank you
You're the only person I've heard expressing this view. The world is too much with us, and the American church is imploding. Thank God that the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ's church.
This is the first time I've seen this channel. Truly TRULY LOVE this post. Really appreciate how you so lovingly speak to this situation. May all fellow Christians truly speak truth with GREAT love. This certainly means doing so in a loving way. Some say "not speaking the truth is not loving". While that may be true, speaking the truth in an unloving way is also not love. Thank you, Gavin.
Thank you for getting into this. As a member at Parkside, it's so troubling to see the ease at which people are able to just write off AB. I can tell you that he has the heart of a pastor and our church has been blessed by his faithful preaching through the decades. We are united in our love as a church family.
@johntower1964 The same Bible also says "take the plank out of your own eye, then you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye". Pride can be a dangerous thing.
@johntower1964 I don't know you or owe you anything. I'm sure I would never be able to reach as high as you from up there on such a high horse. Thankfully for me, my striving is in vain, and Christ is all my righteousness. His word is truth, and the law of the Lord is perfect even when my interpretation is faulty. I'm glad he doesn't accept me based on my fallible interpretations.
I thought I was over this issue with Pastor Begg. I am happy this came over my feed 5 months later. I appreciate your excellent commentary. I thank God for AB"s ministry, and I rejoice that I was able to come to the same conclusion as you. Great job brother, may all of God's great blessings be yours.
I'm still processing all of this but I have a couple thoughts: 1) if this was a friend or neighbor or John Q Public saying this, OK. But being a pastor over hundreds or thousands of people carries a lot more gravitas. He has to get it right. He didn't. 2) I think Begg knew his response would be controversial. Therefore, why didn't he seek counsel before replying? I'm sure he could have gotten phone time from MacArthur or Piper or Baucham or whoever. So as a high profile pastor, the minimal thing he did wrong was to just plop it out there as he did. It could have been moderated with some more caveats and explanation of the hazards involved in attending such a "wedding." 3) In the manner he did this, he brought this all on himself. Actions have consequences. That's the way it is for everyone. If you're well known and have thousands of followers....you better have big boy pants when you stick your finger in a hornets nest. The wisest thing to do would have been to call a brother and say "Hey, I'm thinking of sticking my finger in a hornet's nest, whaddya think about that?" To me, he slipped up on handling this wisely. 4) Speaking of big boy pants....Begg deserves every ounce of ire he gets from basically accusing people of doing the very thing they preach against. That was straight up mudslinging and he doesn't get a pass on that nonsense.
Would you make the case for Christians having social media battles on every topic being good for the spread of the gospel? Would you be confident the Holy Spirit enjoys this?
@@gareth2736I think you are missing the fact that the Bible order is to call out leaders publicly when they fail and reconcile if they change their behavior. Paul and Peter had a public discussion but Peter repented. Alístele should do the same, his response had been worse than his original comment.
@@gareth2736 I sense that you're upset by the appearance of christians "airing our dirty laundry in public" and I get that. I wish this would have went down differently, but again Begg did this to himself in wide open view. On the other hand, I think a smart person would see this as the group policing itself, which is what we're supposed to do. Unfortunately for the public viewer who knows nothing about Christianity, well, yeah, this does look negative. I don't really worry about that, though. God has a plan for everyone and He is executing that plan every day irrespective of what anyone does.
Honestly, I have not seen a single response that has done anything but bend over backwards to not condemn Alastair Begg. I haven't responded to the controversy, in part because I've never been a fan of his in the first place (for reasons, I think, are connected to his recent controversial statements). I wish more people were calling him to repentance rather than more or less implying that this is something on which godly men can disagree.
Well spoken, Gavin. It is disconcerting how Christians seem all too willing to “eat their own” when situations like this arise. When I first heard Begg’s interview, I was disappointed, for sure, because I thought it was poor counsel; however, at no point did I hear him affirm so-called same-sex marriage as is being purported. (Unless, as of 01/02/24, he has clarified and changed his stance as I’ve heard him profess years ago.)
"same-sex marriage" is a euphemism for the hard truth of sodomy, which God condemns. How will you endure the Great White Throne Judgement? you are being softened-up to take the mark of the beast.
So Ligonier and MacArthur got it wrong? Says you? Also, who are you specifically referring to? The criticism I’ve seen has been extremely clear and loving. It’s not a “tertiary” issue. In this day and age it’s a war.
Thank you for this video. I have thus far been so disheartened and discouraged by the onslaught of videos attacking our brother Allistair Begg. How many of those same people were encouraged, edified, exhorted, etc., by his ministry? I am thankful to God to know that other brethren share my concern for the way we react to disagreement with brothers or sisters in Christ. Lord have mercy on us!
This response feels right to me. I, too have been saddened that many are so willing to toss someone away for one point of disagreement after years of faithful service. If I can offer my theory, I believe Christians have, out of necessity taken a stance of guarding the gospel to a new level. We may have become hyper-reactive as we attempt to stand strong in our belief in the inerrancy of the gospel. We are certainly fighting a battle in today’s culture that has become red hot.
Actually, I've thought that most of the responses were careful and considered (such as Justin Peters, Doug Wilson, Corey from Smart Christian Channel etc....). They all had good reference to scripture and included practical illustrations on why Begg's response was in error. I haven't seen many (if any) flamethrowers questioning his salvation or some such, and most do seem to be saying not to discount his entire ministry due to this one issue. Begg's response also hasn't helped things, where he took up the 'oh you don't like this sin, you must be guilty of it' tact and called everyone who disagreed a Pharisee. He needs to provide a substantive answer to their critiques, showing from scripture why he is right and they wrong on this.
Thank you so much for your video. It has brought me so much clarity and peace and resolution.. My stepdaughter is going to marry another woman in a few weeks. My husband had me listen to a podcast, but it was so harsh. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I told him let me see this man Gavin ortland has anything to say because I have listened to you in the past and learned so much. I told him this man speaks the truth but with gentleness and I can hear himso appreciate your explanation About what marriage is and what you’re doing there when you attend Since it is primarily a spiritual union, therefore it would be dishonoring the Lord to go and you are using his words to explain this. Thank you so much. May the Lord richly bless your ministry and you and your family
As someone from the other side of the pond I have been saddened by the tone of the disagreement over Alistair Begg. I appreciated this - and hope that it helps us all to reflect on how we disagree with Christian brothers and sisters. Thank you! A
Don't disagree on Sunday. This is great advice and very helpful. I have changed lifelong habits by merely treating them differently on Sunday. Whether adding something edifying to my life, or abstaining from something detrimental, that change and concentration on one day a week has spread to the rest of the week. Holding back on a Sunday salvo might just slow a person down enough that it never gets sent once the mood passes.
I can fully appreciate where you are coming from Brother, but may I ask a simple question? How does one REPROVE or REBUKE in LOVE? You do it in, and with TRUTH. What would you have fellow Christians do in this case? Brother Alistair, we do not agree with you, but we still love you. And continue as normal? Those that I have heard have not once said that they do not love Brother Alistair. The same Spurgeon said: When I saw, or THOUGHT that I saw, that error was creeping into the Baptist Union, I WITHDREW myself that I might not stullify my testimony. I have not heard you critique in "LOVE" brother Begg. Although he is wrong, he REFUSES to admit this. What about Brother Alistair calling EVERYONE that he disagrees with a Pharisee? I trust that you will receive this in the same spirit with which it is written Brother. Let God's word have the last say: 1 Thessalonians 5: 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all appearance of evil. A gay UNION (it is not a wedding) is not only EVIL, it is an ABOMINATION before a Thrice Holy God.
“It is not a compromise when you obey Christ” Thank you So much. Hvg a warm corner in my heart for Christian brothers and sisters who grate me the wrong way is hard, but eyes on Jesus… and His commands, is to prevail first.
Your example of sharks smelling blood ..the ahhh gotcha !reaction ...that happened at lightning speed..is spot on...good comment...was waiting for some balanced views..thanks
A good man gave bad advice. I honestly don't think Alistair's thought this issue through thoroughly. I think he'll come around. He's a good man. A wedding is not a birthday party. Totally different.
THANK YOU Brother - for saying this! It is MUCH NEEDED nowadays. You are so right - we need to LOVE one another - and be Christ-like - and not become Pharisees in the way we disagree. We can disagree, but need to do it in Love, especially on social media.
While I tend to agree with brother Begg, I find your thoughts on what has been taking place with his advice and the fallout from his admission. Way to go.❤
Thank you for your always Biblical wisdom. My pastor father went to Bob Jones, went to Christian school k-college, raised Baptist and now missionary in Nicaragua. All my life has been"you dont do like me so you are wrong." This keyboard warrior mentality is easy to hide behind, especially when YOU have never done anything for the Lord, never led a person to Christ, and exhibit pride when taking God's place as Judge. Allstair Begg has blessed millions of people for 50 years. What have YOU done? One of the sins listed as an abomination in the Bible is...pride.
Don’t bring shame to your father like that - I can’t speak to how you were raised and I’m sorry it was legalistic but we don’t want to exhibit disrespect for our parents. Your argument can be used of anyone criticizing any popular pastor or speaker - “Joel Osteen and TD Jakes and Carl Lentz blessed so many people, who are YOU to criticize them for being a Christian?” Jesus criticized the religious leaders for their immorality as much as laymen - we MUST MUST MUST hold our public representatives to a high standard because JESUS holds us to a high standard!
I don’t see that you are “bringing shame” to your father. I was raised similarly… my entire church was IBLP and had an “us vs them” mentality. There was no capability to have discussion about issues! Just labelling others as wrong. I hear where you are coming from.
@@unapologeticbeliever Thanks, I wasnt dishonoring my father as he raised me to "Search the Scriptures". He also permitted me to reject his legalist friends and congregations. Together, God has used us more than all those naysayers, all to His glory. Probably hit a little close to home.
Exactly! Thank you. Becket Cook’s testimony is what changed my thinking on this. Pastor Begg could have been more thorough in his discussion on this but to personally attack him felt wrong to me as well.
Amen and Amen!! Believers are so scared and defensive when love is mentioned. I fear pride is what drives too many, it rises up too easily in my own heart and i have to continually judge that. Christ's words in John 13 to 17 have spoken to my husband and I . We were obliged to make many hard changes in our lives.
Thank you so much for your stance on this, I have learned a lot from Alistar, I just disagree with him on this one event. As a grandma, I would set my grandchild down and talk to him/her to tell them how much I love them, but because of my faith in Jesus, I can’t attend their wedding. If you have a loving relationship with your grandkids, they will understand.
Well thought out and expressed. The public response of Christian leaders and lay people has grieved me deeply. The man has been a huge presence for the gospel. Are we now to just quote a bunch of well-known Scriptures and throw him under the bus? Cancel him? This is how the world operates, not the Body of Christ. Todd Friel ( Wretched ) has done a similar, careful analysis of the fallout from this controversy, which I recommend.
Brother, thank you for a breath of fresh air that is free from hatred. Many UA-camrs were frothing at their mouths going after pastor Alistair, even those who are younger than how long he has been in ministry. I am also young in ministry but there are things in the Christian life that are not easy to discern as black from white. Being on the field dealing with real people, you gotta to do what you gotta do and hope that what we did in faith was the best action.
Yes! Thank you Gavin! 🙏Galatians 1:6 & Thank you Gavin! John 13 & 17 YES! Our love for each other. I also believe the Spirit of fundamentalists focus on the Letter of the law *without* the Spirit of the law with a lack of love for their lost neighbours especially LGBTQ plus neighbours.
Yes, what God has joined together let not man separate. THIS has been my point too. A Christian's presence at a wedding is affirming that scripture. As a Christian how can you live up to that vow? How can you not seek to restore those lost in sin and seek to help separate them from it? And you are right about grace given to fellow believers.
Beautifully articulated Gavin!! Thank you! And perfectly noted… the “reactive lightning rod” that unfortunately is exhibited today- especially within the social media culture we live in. Drives me nuts!! Ugh… I’m just getting too old !! Ha.
Careful Gavin. We can’t go lightly in this issue. This particular issue is very causing many to go astray. This is the first time I respectfully disagree with you. This is major! Allister Begg is wrong. Period! Like him, I’m not backing down on that. Doesn’t matter how long he’s been preaching. That makes it even worse because/c he knows scripture! I still love your channel 😘
1) If pastor Beggs advice to the grandmother offended you did you go to him in private or if you did, did you take several witnesses with you before voicing your opinion before the church. You are a gossip if you did not. 2) If you have ever attended a wedding between one or more nonbelievers you are just as you accuse pastor Begg. Do you think rejecting Jesus Christ is less a sin than homosexuality? 3) If you condemn Pastor Begg’s Christian witness based on your opinion, what condemnation befalls your witness?
Thank you so much for listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit ,I believe He led you to make this video. i am a Nigerian but have been so concerned by the development i percive in the way this Alistair situation has turned out... It's indicates an erroneous trend of which Iam thankful to God you rightly observed and spoke to. I pray people who truly needs to get to see this video, listen to you an maybe have a rethink. God bless you and your wife
Logging off on Sunday is such a good idea. But to be safe, you don’t want to start a controversy on Saturday that then fills up your mentions, so perhaps logging off on Friday would be good. Also, you don’t want to start the workweek with negativity so, logging off on Monday would be a good idea as well. Getting through humpday is hard enough without being embroiled in controversy, so, perhaps stay logged off through Wednesday. And you’ve already got Friday set aside - why risk it by posting anything on Thursday?
Gavin brings a healthy perspective to every topic. I agree that disagreement is healthy. What we’re missing might be that the way the church is now disagreeing about things is “divisive”. People should do a word search on Titus 3:10 and see how the KJV used the word “heretic”, vs the correct modern translation “a divisive person”. I fear as the visible church devolves deeper and deeper into divisiveness, we may collectively be allowing our generation to become “the apostasy”. I like that Gavin brings up the fact that seeking unity and the spirit of loving one another will help the visible church point the world to Christ. Let’s find the “warm corner in our hearts” for each other and stop all this divisiveness. Good message. ☺️
I’m so glad you had this to say Gavin- your Christian charity and gentleness towards the issues of the family of God is a breath of fresh air. My son introduced me to your channel a couple years ago and I must say… The Lord has used you in a wonderful way when it comes to how I, personally understand many issues. Theological triage is something that that has re-ordered and softened my hold on several doctrines. I was being influenced by the all or nothing- cancel culture of the current church climate. I thank you for your ministry Sir.
Though I Biblically disagree with Alistair’s advise, I do respect him as a pastor and brother in Christ! Both sides of the issue need to step back, pray and seek the Lord for a wise response! We may now have two issues, our response to gay weddings and how to respond to those whom we disagree! Social media may not be the best platform to respond to such issues. However, both John Piper and Jeff Friel provided very wise and compassionate responses to this issue!
Thank you for your perspective on this. Just another facet that might fit into informing others regarding why this Alistair sound byte is so controversial. I don't believe I have the answer, but it is in my mind a nuance folks are not paying attention to: the term marriage to the church is totally opposite of the same word to the non-believing world, including the gay sector. It seems as though the world is doing a great job of coopting terms and changing their definitions on an alarming rate. So here is my thought: if those concerned with the use of the term marriage would simply remove it and use a term that is descriptive of the truth of the activity and not what those performing this activity want one to believe it to be, would that not be a possible way to calm the waters around this storm? I apologize for my verbosity. I appreciate and agree with your take on this and have learned much in regard to my own need to be, in your word, irenic with others.
Agree with everything you said. I have been greatly blessed by Alistair's ministry. I hope Christians will be praying for him and his ministry to carry on strong, despite any disagreement!
Thank you for your point of view. I wonder if so many who have attacked Alistair Begg have gone to the wedding of 2 who have lived together for years; where the bride is obviously pregnant or one is marrying an unbeliever? I wish I could see consistency amidst the vitriol of condemnation . Your comments are a breath of fresh air.
Re: Mr. Begg's removal from conference(s): Given the fact that this has caused a "firestorm" of reactions, it would seem prudent for him to remove himself or be removed from any platform where HE could become the center of attention rather than the preeminence of God and His word. Whether people are right or wrong in their response to Mr. Begg, the ARE people who are distracted by "shiny objects". Begg will be a shiny object for at least the near future. Perhaps when things cool down he can return to these events. But I agree that he should not be written off, although I will be listening to his teachings with my antenna up for a bit at least.
Astonished at the kives 5:08 in Alistair 's back....let he who is without sin cast the first knife - I suppose all the pastors are sinless?! God is watching!
I’ve noticed how quickly people get “called out” and accused of “heresy” or something. It’s kind of sad how much infighting there is especially through social media. And personally challenging as well. To return to Christlikeness.
Christians should be discerning about what pastors and teachers say. Time and time again these men, especially those with celebrity, have little by little begun to compromise. And advice, like from this guy, that we should all just get along, takes us further and further down the slippery slope. Not only did Begg, one of my favorites, give this horrible advice to this grandmother, but he then responded with absolute arrogance when he was pressed on it. Will I cancel Alistair Begg? No. But I will put him on the compromise watch list.
Well said. I see far too much "biting and devouring" amongst Christians - and there appears a militant Calvinist group overly zealous to impose their superior Theology upon all of Christendom. Begg is a long-time favorite of mine, even if I don't agree with his more Reformed teaching. R.C Sproul an amazing teacher even if he held to different "End Times" Theology. We cannot compare Begg in one private comment to blatant heresy like Osteen or Andy Stanley. Each of us will need to learn how to teach and live Biblical truth while also nurturing real relationships in this fallen world - so that important Godly conversations might one day take place.
People are probably becoming less trusting of "pastors" and "pastors" are finding their job harder because, as a recent AWI poll demonstrated, a little more than a third of "pastors" hold to a biblical worldview, while a little over 12% of Children and Youth "pastors" hold to one. And as some Protestants have said, none of this Begg controversy matters because marriage is a secondary, tertiary issue. If it's not "the doctrines of Grace" then Begg is fine holding whatever beliefs he wants and we should make room for those beliefs. No triage is necessary.
Likewise i disagree with Alistair Begg on this subject but it's no effort for me to imagine his motive was pure. Wrong, in my opinion, but honest and pure motives. He must be going through a difficult time right now. I pray he comes out healthy and without breaking.
most of the responses to the situation that I have listened to have went out of their way to speak of their love for Alistair, and have been very careful with their words. I guess I am not exposed to those that are very hateful and too strong with their language. I’m glad I have missed this part.
One of the biggest things that really drove me mad, was that what many were saying about Alistair's interview, where the statement was made, and more particularly about his response sermon, that literally treaded into false witness. I understand trying to protect the sheep, even if I disagree about whom you're trying to protect them from, but that doesn't give you the license to lie about and slander something someone has said.
Personally I’m glad there are still Christian leaders and laypeople who are willing to call out a brother who has clearly given unbiblical advice. If individuals in the “American” church were so spiritually “asleep” that they just let this go without any rebuke, that would be far more tragic! And from all I’ve read and heard, the rebuke of Alastair Begg has mostly been very respectful, honestly.
Remember when Paul confronted Peter. Today people would make video's that Paul is just being disagreeable and he should have been more kind, I mean Peter had a track record of faithfulness after all, it's just one thing right? Of course Peter repented Alistair not only refuses to repent he attacked his critics as being "Pharisees".
I agree with this. Sometimes our emotions override our brain. We can agree to disagree on things in life. However, this "grandma" should not have broken the confidentiality between her and the counsel she was given. This should have stayed between the two of them. Pastor Begg did not even know the lady but reached out to her because she asked for advice. This brings social media to the brink when certain words are used and the whole picture not seen. Everyone goes ballistic.
Thank you so much for this perspective. I happen to fall down on the side of Alastair. I will say that I am in the process of wrestling it out in my spirit. I will continue to pray over it. A very wise Christian friend of mine has said “I am willing to be wrong “. This is something too few people will do. The best we can do is listen to wise counsel, pray, seek God in His word and decide where we are. In doing this we must accept that there will be those who disagree with us. Then we must lovingly agree to disagree without malice. I am saddened at the amount of arrogance I see among believers debating this topic. Even if I feel God telling me Mr. Begg is wrong and I end up taking the opposite stance once my time of prayer and meditation is done I cannot see myself writing off his whole ministry and future teaching based on this one issue.
Good comment here, but I'm failing to see how Gavin didn't do the same thing in response to Andy Stanley's "Why I Love My Church" video since Andy also validated biblical marriage, but Gavin's reaction video made one think he didn't.
Well said. My comment on this situation was "I disagree with Begg, but I disagree more with critics that are calling him a heretic and discrediting his ministry."
Fair enough. What do you think of his sermon calling those who disagree with him as Pharisees who want to commit the sins they call out? And the American evangelicals who don’t understand nuance? I don’t for one moment believe Begg is lost or too far gone. We of course must have grace. But the brother has clearly hardened his heart to the cries for repentance from his fellow pastors who have been in ministry for similar periods.
While I agree with you I wonder how Begg would treat someone who disagrees with him on this issue in his own church? I mean he believes in church discipline and practices it. He believes those who disagree are not free to do so, they are like pharisees, and what does he do with pharisees? So, while I disagree with those calling him a heretic, I suspect he might be doing the same to those who disagree with him
First of all, there is no such thing as ljbkrq or q. By calling it that means you recognize it. It’s called perversion. Until you call it that , I’m not interested in anything you have to say.
From a Gospel Coalition article of when Martin Llyod Jones confronted a negative pastor:
“Well,” he queried, “what about this: you remember Paul in Galatians 2? He had to withstand Peter to the face. He did not want to do it. Peter was an older apostle, a leader and so on. Paul did it very reluctantly, but he had to do it for the sake of the truth. I am in exactly that position. What do you say to that?”
“I would say this,” I responded, “that the effect of what Paul did was to win Peter round to his position and make him call him ‘our beloved brother Paul.’ Can you say the same about the people whom you attack?”
That’s exactly what these men did. He would not repent.
I missed the part where Peter said, "Paul wants me to recant and to repent ... To repent??? I-I-I repent daily, but the fact of the matter is I'm not ready to repent over this. I don't have to!!!"
Thanks, a very helpful response.
not sure I get the point Should no one call AB out on his error?
@@mikekayanderson408 I taught a course for Army NCOs on performance counseling. When correcting someone, we need to convey a desire to help, and if we're doing it right, the person we're correcting will thank us. So yes, "call him out" but with loving concern.
Thank you, Dr. Ortlund. Your irenic contribution to this "debate'" is a breath of fresh air. Pastor Begg is my absolute favourite preacher to whom I listen daily. I respect his viewpoint as he explained in his message to his own congregation last Sunday (""Compassion versus Condemnation"), and he has clearly opposed same-sex marriage in the past and preached courageously on Romans 1:18ff last year. However, his advice invited criticism that attendance at a same-sex wedding would compromise an evangelical witness (e.g., what if the minister does ask, "Can anyone give reason why this couple should not be married?"!) Sadly, as you note, there are those who are quick to find fault and even "cancel" a faithful preacher through whom God has blessed countless listeners to "Truth for Life". The adversary satan must be thrilled at the prospect of Alistair's voice being silenced. Again, thank you for reminding us of our duty to love one another and not to bite and devour each other (Galatians 5:15).
"irenic". Reading people's comments improves my vocabulary. ty
User, when a preacher says heresy we must say something
I love Alister but hopefully God will deal with him for misleading people 😢
He hasn’t been ‘cancelled’, he has been dis-invited to the Shepherds Conference, which is wise, as it would only cause upset and controversy at the Conference which would not be good. Other conservative and faithful leaders in the Church have approached and contacted Alistair Begg with the aim of correcting his mistake - approaches and criticism which sadly he calls ‘Phariseeism’. The other ‘usual subjects’ - the heresy hunters, count for nothing and we ignore them. Alistair Begg must be given time and space to reflect on his very bad advice, and perhaps by God’s grace may repent and take a different view in time. I shall continue to listen to his channel until it becomes apparent that he won’t move. Then there must be a parting of the ways, without acrimony or false self-righteousness. For we are called to follow God not men.
@@Over-for-now He didn't say heresy, and we need to be extremely careful about throwing that word around. Heresy is for those who deny essential truths about God and the gospel and/or who separate themselves from the church at large. Like denying Jesus' truly divine-truly human nature, denying the resurrection, denying God's holiness, etc. Even if you could prove persuasively that Begg's advice was sinful (it isn't, though I disagree with him), it's not within a hundred miles of heresy. And it's sinful to accuse a faithful minister of heresy when they haven't committed it.
@@petercollins7848 it's one of those irregular verbs "they cancel, we disinvite".
I’ve never seen your posts before and I am thanking God for seeing this one. My heart as also been grieved for how this is playing out in the public domain. It seemed to me almost immediately that everyone was missing Pastor Begg’s heart for the lost and willingness to practice radical love for sinners. If we think that we are going to agree with everyone all the time we have not understood Jesus’ warnings, prayers for us, nor human nature. Thank you so much for your compassionate, gentle, and reasoned counsel here. We must show love to one another. Along with loving our enemies, it is indeed how we will get the world’s attention and show God’s glory. Thank you!
Nobody has "missed" that. We recognize that his "heart for the lost" has blinded him such that he's teaching people to hate them and thinking it's love. Of course he means well! But good intentions do not excuse sin. Good intentions do not excuse redefining "love." Good intentions do not excuse pleasing man rather than God. Good intentions do not excuse promoting hypocrisy as the best way to "win sinners."
And those who are affirming such things are complicit in causing people to stumble.
@@RachelRamey Totally wrong on every level!
You are so right! We allowed dear Alistair Begg to go from Scotland to you there in the USA! He is the BEST preacher we have right now. Forget all your Hinns, Copelands, Johnsons and other REAL heretics! Support and LOVE men like Alistair. Let the LORD Jesus be his judge - not you. With grace and love. Peter - an 83 year old in the UK. Yippee!
@@peterhonour8515 amen!
Thank you so much for a gracious and thoughtful view on this entire episode. It’s been fuel for the enemy to take down a ministry that has done so very much to bring people to Christ and teach the Bible. The way the feeding frenzy has gone has made me weep.
If you are weeping now, what will your condition be at the Great White Throne Judgement?
@@godisreality7014 then I will be in the presence of the perfect Lord and a child of the kingdom where there will be no more weeping
@@ecs6832 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth for some. Or rather, for most.
Gavin, PCA pastor here in Southern California. Found you a few months ago and very much love your content. Thank you for all your labors.
Thank you for your wisdom and perspective Gavin. Christian author and theologian Greg Koukl (Stand to Reason) shared a very similar perspective and I believe you are both right on the mark. Again, thank you for being willing to share your views. It’s a blessing for us individually and for the body as well.
Voices like yours are needed in these times. Thank you brother.
Thanks for expressing this so well, Pastor. I came upon you through your appearance on Beckett Cook's channel. I've enjoyed your content. I am an amateur student of Church history and find your videos very interesting.
Thank you for this video Gavin! This video has articulated the exact way in which we should disagree with others. I have loved Alistair begg for years and this recent controversy has not changed my opinion on him as a pastor. The recent sermon Alistair shared on Luke 15 is very insightful to understand where he is coming from. All that being said, this video is the best response I have heard to the controversy and this is a must watch for anyone in leadership. Thank you once again Gavin for your work on this channel! Once again it has really blessed me to watch this
thanks, glad it was useful!
“Very few people will survive the environment we are creating right now” - I think that is precisely the intent of some of the biggest drivers in this space. I won’t name names because I can’t know for sure, but having grown up in ministry in some of those spaces, enough has been said out loud to believe that they are *happy* to cancel anyone who doesn’t believe exactly what they believe from top to bottom.
It's dangerous isn't it. Rather than being able to get input on topics from a broad range of Christians with different views we will be in danger of fragmenting into multiple cult like groups.
@@gareth2736 i thought Begg characterizing those who criticized his counsel as Pharisees and fundamentalists who likely were suppressing their own gay lusts was pretty effective if fragmentation is the goal.
@@JonJaeden is that a 100% truthful representation of exactly what Begg said?
I find this happens more in Calvinist circles than others. That strain of theology tends to cause many to be less graceful and tolerant of people with other theological views.
@@gareth2736that’s nearly exactly what Mr Begg said. Jon pretty much nailed it.
Prayers for Alistair and his family and the rest of us as we navigate through this, hopefully with grace and compassion.
WOWEE Gavin somebody who is making sense of this situation with Pastor Begg. the think is that most of these who made video after video about this would not give him the light of day on their videos normally. but the smell of blood and they are in to point whats wrong and criticise, over and over, no humility just needing to ramp up views/revenue. so Gavin your video was level, encouraging and yes having a blessed view. iIt is a first listen it was such pleasure to listen to you, thank you
You're the only person I've heard expressing this view. The world is too much with us, and the American church is imploding. Thank God that the gates of hell will not prevail against Christ's church.
Alistair is right ua-cam.com/video/vzCBiwSBRHg/v-deo.htmlsi=HCpmCrXlXdXbFASg
Mike Winger (I think his channel is called Bible Thinker) and Nate Sala (Wise Disciple channel) also posted in similar tones.
The answer is, "No"
Christians should not attend such an abominable farce of a service
This is the first time I've seen this channel. Truly TRULY LOVE this post.
Really appreciate how you so lovingly speak to this situation.
May all fellow Christians truly speak truth with GREAT love. This certainly means doing so in a loving way.
Some say "not speaking the truth is not loving". While that may be true, speaking the truth in an unloving way is also not love.
Thank you, Gavin.
Thank you for getting into this. As a member at Parkside, it's so troubling to see the ease at which people are able to just write off AB. I can tell you that he has the heart of a pastor and our church has been blessed by his faithful preaching through the decades. We are united in our love as a church family.
@johntower1964 Your self-righteous is palpable.
@johntower1964 The same Bible also says "take the plank out of your own eye, then you can see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye". Pride can be a dangerous thing.
@johntower1964 On God's word, which I have just quoted. Does putting people down in the comment section get people closer to righteousness?
@johntower1964 I don't know you or owe you anything. I'm sure I would never be able to reach as high as you from up there on such a high horse. Thankfully for me, my striving is in vain, and Christ is all my righteousness. His word is truth, and the law of the Lord is perfect even when my interpretation is faulty. I'm glad he doesn't accept me based on my fallible interpretations.
Amen. You speak with grace, truth and love... Godly.
I thought I was over this issue with Pastor Begg. I am happy this came over my feed 5 months later. I appreciate your excellent commentary. I thank God for AB"s ministry, and I rejoice that I was able to come to the same conclusion as you. Great job brother, may all of God's great blessings be yours.
Very wise counsel thank you for sharing!
I'm still processing all of this but I have a couple thoughts:
1) if this was a friend or neighbor or John Q Public saying this, OK. But being a pastor over hundreds or thousands of people carries a lot more gravitas. He has to get it right. He didn't.
2) I think Begg knew his response would be controversial. Therefore, why didn't he seek counsel before replying? I'm sure he could have gotten phone time from MacArthur or Piper or Baucham or whoever. So as a high profile pastor, the minimal thing he did wrong was to just plop it out there as he did. It could have been moderated with some more caveats and explanation of the hazards involved in attending such a "wedding."
3) In the manner he did this, he brought this all on himself. Actions have consequences. That's the way it is for everyone. If you're well known and have thousands of followers....you better have big boy pants when you stick your finger in a hornets nest. The wisest thing to do would have been to call a brother and say "Hey, I'm thinking of sticking my finger in a hornet's nest, whaddya think about that?" To me, he slipped up on handling this wisely.
4) Speaking of big boy pants....Begg deserves every ounce of ire he gets from basically accusing people of doing the very thing they preach against. That was straight up mudslinging and he doesn't get a pass on that nonsense.
Would you make the case for Christians having social media battles on every topic being good for the spread of the gospel? Would you be confident the Holy Spirit enjoys this?
@@gareth2736I think you are missing the fact that the Bible order is to call out leaders publicly when they fail and reconcile if they change their behavior.
Paul and Peter had a public discussion but Peter repented. Alístele should do the same, his response had been worse than his original comment.
@@gareth2736 I sense that you're upset by the appearance of christians "airing our dirty laundry in public" and I get that. I wish this would have went down differently, but again Begg did this to himself in wide open view. On the other hand, I think a smart person would see this as the group policing itself, which is what we're supposed to do. Unfortunately for the public viewer who knows nothing about Christianity, well, yeah, this does look negative. I don't really worry about that, though. God has a plan for everyone and He is executing that plan every day irrespective of what anyone does.
Honestly, I have not seen a single response that has done anything but bend over backwards to not condemn Alastair Begg.
I haven't responded to the controversy, in part because I've never been a fan of his in the first place (for reasons, I think, are connected to his recent controversial statements).
I wish more people were calling him to repentance rather than more or less implying that this is something on which godly men can disagree.
Well spoken, Gavin. It is disconcerting how Christians seem all too willing to “eat their own” when situations like this arise. When I first heard Begg’s interview, I was disappointed, for sure, because I thought it was poor counsel; however, at no point did I hear him affirm so-called same-sex marriage as is being purported. (Unless, as of 01/02/24, he has clarified and changed his stance as I’ve heard him profess years ago.)
"same-sex marriage" is a euphemism for the hard truth of sodomy, which God condemns. How will you endure the Great White Throne Judgement? you are being softened-up to take the mark of the beast.
It's not seeking credibility from the world, but witnessing to the world. Great points, Gavin!
Well said. I completely disagree with Aleister Begg on this issue, but your point is well made.
So Ligonier and MacArthur got it wrong? Says you?
Also, who are you specifically referring to? The criticism I’ve seen has been extremely clear and loving. It’s not a “tertiary” issue. In this day and age it’s a war.
Thank you, G. You're exactly right.
Thank you for this video. I have thus far been so disheartened and discouraged by the onslaught of videos attacking our brother Allistair Begg. How many of those same people were encouraged, edified, exhorted, etc., by his ministry? I am thankful to God to know that other brethren share my concern for the way we react to disagreement with brothers or sisters in Christ. Lord have mercy on us!
Thank you for your thoughtful and gracious presentation, as always.
This response feels right to me. I, too have been saddened that many are so willing to toss someone away for one point of disagreement after years of faithful service. If I can offer my theory, I believe Christians have, out of necessity taken a stance of guarding the gospel to a new level. We may have become hyper-reactive as we attempt to stand strong in our belief in the inerrancy of the gospel. We are certainly fighting a battle in today’s culture that has become red hot.
Spot on! Using such standards every single one of us is out!
Actually, I've thought that most of the responses were careful and considered (such as Justin Peters, Doug Wilson, Corey from Smart Christian Channel etc....). They all had good reference to scripture and included practical illustrations on why Begg's response was in error. I haven't seen many (if any) flamethrowers questioning his salvation or some such, and most do seem to be saying not to discount his entire ministry due to this one issue.
Begg's response also hasn't helped things, where he took up the 'oh you don't like this sin, you must be guilty of it' tact and called everyone who disagreed a Pharisee. He needs to provide a substantive answer to their critiques, showing from scripture why he is right and they wrong on this.
No Peter’s is the worst out of context bad comparison lies about what Begg believes ridiculous!!
Thank you so much for your video. It has brought me so much clarity and peace and resolution.. My stepdaughter is going to marry another woman in a few weeks. My husband had me listen to a podcast, but it was so harsh. I couldn’t hear what they were saying. I told him let me see this man Gavin ortland has anything to say because I have listened to you in the past and learned so much. I told him this man speaks the truth but with gentleness and I can hear himso appreciate your explanation About what marriage is and what you’re doing there when you attend Since it is primarily a spiritual union, therefore it would be dishonoring the Lord to go and you are using his words to explain this. Thank you so much. May the Lord richly bless your ministry and you and your family
As someone from the other side of the pond I have been saddened by the tone of the disagreement over Alistair Begg. I appreciated this - and hope that it helps us all to reflect on how we disagree with Christian brothers and sisters. Thank you! A
You are an encouragement to the Body of Christ! Graciously and honestly stated response.
Don't disagree on Sunday. This is great advice and very helpful. I have changed lifelong habits by merely treating them differently on Sunday. Whether adding something edifying to my life, or abstaining from something detrimental, that change and concentration on one day a week has spread to the rest of the week. Holding back on a Sunday salvo might just slow a person down enough that it never gets sent once the mood passes.
Pray…for our faithful brothers and sisters🤲🙏!
I can fully appreciate where you are coming from Brother, but may I ask a simple question?
How does one REPROVE or REBUKE in LOVE?
You do it in, and with TRUTH.
What would you have fellow Christians do in this case?
Brother Alistair, we do not agree with you, but we still love you.
And continue as normal?
Those that I have heard have not once said that they do not love Brother Alistair.
The same Spurgeon said:
When I saw, or THOUGHT that I saw, that error was creeping into the Baptist Union, I WITHDREW myself that I might not stullify my testimony.
I have not heard you critique in "LOVE" brother Begg.
Although he is wrong, he REFUSES to admit this.
What about Brother Alistair calling EVERYONE that he disagrees with a Pharisee?
I trust that you will receive this in the same spirit with which it is written Brother.
Let God's word have the last say:
1 Thessalonians 5: 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
A gay UNION (it is not a wedding) is not only EVIL, it is an ABOMINATION before a Thrice Holy God.
“It is not a compromise when you obey Christ”
Thank you So much.
Hvg a warm corner in my heart for Christian brothers and sisters who grate me the wrong way is hard, but eyes on Jesus… and His commands, is to prevail first.
Your example of sharks smelling blood ..the ahhh gotcha !reaction ...that happened at lightning speed..is spot on...good comment...was waiting for some balanced views..thanks
Beautifully said, Gavin!
I just subscribed. Like a breath of fresh air. Thank you.
Looking forward to sensible, well thought out information and discussions.
Thank you.
Welcome aboard!
Once again, really helpful Gavin. Thank you for this.
A good man gave bad advice. I honestly don't think Alistair's thought this issue through thoroughly. I think he'll come around. He's a good man. A wedding is not a birthday party. Totally different.
I too was more bothered about the judgement passed on my pastor Alistair than the advice he gave!
THANK YOU Brother - for saying this! It is MUCH NEEDED nowadays. You are so right - we need to LOVE one another - and be Christ-like - and not become Pharisees in the way we disagree. We can disagree, but need to do it in Love, especially on social media.
While I tend to agree with brother Begg, I find your thoughts on what has been taking place with his advice and the fallout from his admission. Way to go.❤
Thank you for your always Biblical wisdom. My pastor father went to Bob Jones, went to Christian school k-college, raised Baptist and now missionary in Nicaragua. All my life has been"you dont do like me so you are wrong." This keyboard warrior mentality is easy to hide behind, especially when YOU have never done anything for the Lord, never led a person to Christ, and exhibit pride when taking God's place as Judge.
Allstair Begg has blessed millions of people for 50 years. What have YOU done? One of the sins listed as an abomination in the Bible is...pride.
Don’t bring shame to your father like that - I can’t speak to how you were raised and I’m sorry it was legalistic but we don’t want to exhibit disrespect for our parents.
Your argument can be used of anyone criticizing any popular pastor or speaker - “Joel Osteen and TD Jakes and Carl Lentz blessed so many people, who are YOU to criticize them for being a Christian?” Jesus criticized the religious leaders for their immorality as much as laymen - we MUST MUST MUST hold our public representatives to a high standard because JESUS holds us to a high standard!
Well said Sir!
@@johnathanl8396 I am in FT Christian service,like my father, my hero, strict and sometimes wrong tho he was. Blessings
I don’t see that you are “bringing shame” to your father. I was raised similarly… my entire church was IBLP and had an “us vs them” mentality. There was no capability to have discussion about issues! Just labelling others as wrong. I hear where you are coming from.
@@unapologeticbeliever Thanks, I wasnt dishonoring my father as he raised me to "Search the Scriptures". He also permitted me to reject his legalist friends and congregations. Together, God has used us more than all those naysayers, all to His glory. Probably hit a little close to home.
Exactly! Thank you. Becket Cook’s testimony is what changed my thinking on this. Pastor Begg could have been more thorough in his discussion on this but to personally attack him felt wrong to me as well.
thoughtful and compassionate as always, Gavin.
Gavin, thanks for clarifying this controversial issue
Amen and Amen!! Believers are so scared and defensive when love is mentioned. I fear pride is what drives too many, it rises up too easily in my own heart and i have to continually judge that. Christ's words in John 13 to 17 have spoken to my husband and I . We were obliged to make many hard changes in our lives.
Thank you so much for your stance on this, I have learned a lot from Alistar, I just disagree with him on this one event. As a grandma, I would set my grandchild down and talk to him/her to tell them how much I love them, but because of my faith in Jesus, I can’t attend their wedding. If you have a loving relationship with your grandkids, they will understand.
Well thought out and expressed. The public response of Christian leaders and lay people has grieved me deeply. The man has been a huge presence for the gospel. Are we now to just quote a bunch of well-known Scriptures and throw him under the bus? Cancel him? This is how the world operates, not the Body of Christ. Todd Friel ( Wretched ) has done a similar, careful analysis of the fallout from this controversy, which I recommend.
Brother, thank you for a breath of fresh air that is free from hatred. Many UA-camrs were frothing at their mouths going after pastor Alistair, even those who are younger than how long he has been in ministry. I am also young in ministry but there are things in the Christian life that are not easy to discern as black from white. Being on the field dealing with real people, you gotta to do what you gotta do and hope that what we did in faith was the best action.
You are such a breath of fresh air - keep up the good fight ❤
Yes! Thank you Gavin! 🙏Galatians 1:6 & Thank you Gavin! John 13 & 17 YES! Our love for each other. I also believe the Spirit of fundamentalists focus on the Letter of the law *without* the Spirit of the law with a lack of love for their lost neighbours especially LGBTQ plus neighbours.
Was he not privately confronted to repent of his public error? He refused correction and cooperation was thus ended.
Yes, what God has joined together let not man separate. THIS has been my point too. A Christian's presence at a wedding is affirming that scripture. As a Christian how can you live up to that vow? How can you not seek to restore those lost in sin and seek to help separate them from it? And you are right about grace given to fellow believers.
You are a sensible and much needed voice.
Brother, brother, brother. Thank you. This is the best video on this situation by a country mile. Rom 5:1 stamped on our hearts indeed.
Beautifully articulated Gavin!! Thank you!
And perfectly noted… the “reactive lightning rod” that unfortunately is exhibited today- especially within the social media culture we live in. Drives me nuts!! Ugh… I’m just getting too old !! Ha.
Careful Gavin. We can’t go lightly in this issue. This particular issue is very causing many to go astray.
This is the first time I respectfully disagree with you.
This is major! Allister Begg is wrong. Period!
Like him, I’m not backing down on that.
Doesn’t matter how long he’s been preaching. That makes it even worse because/c he knows scripture!
I still love your channel 😘
1) If pastor Beggs advice to the grandmother offended you did you go to him in private or if you did, did you take several witnesses with you before voicing your opinion before the church. You are a gossip if you did not. 2) If you have ever attended a wedding between one or more nonbelievers you are just as you accuse pastor Begg. Do you think rejecting Jesus Christ is less a sin than homosexuality? 3) If you condemn Pastor Begg’s Christian witness based on your opinion, what condemnation befalls your witness?
Incredibly well said!
Thank you so much for listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit ,I believe He led you to make this video. i am a Nigerian but have been so concerned by the development i percive in the way this Alistair situation has turned out...
It's indicates an erroneous trend of which Iam thankful to God you rightly observed and spoke to.
I pray people who truly needs to get to see this video, listen to you an maybe have a rethink. God bless you and your wife
Logging off on Sunday is such a good idea. But to be safe, you don’t want to start a controversy on Saturday that then fills up your mentions, so perhaps logging off on Friday would be good. Also, you don’t want to start the workweek with negativity so, logging off on Monday would be a good idea as well. Getting through humpday is hard enough without being embroiled in controversy, so, perhaps stay logged off through Wednesday. And you’ve already got Friday set aside - why risk it by posting anything on Thursday?
😯
@@case.johnson you found me haha
Gavin brings a healthy perspective to every topic. I agree that disagreement is healthy. What we’re missing might be that the way the church is now disagreeing about things is “divisive”.
People should do a word search on Titus 3:10 and see how the KJV used the word “heretic”, vs the correct modern translation “a divisive person”.
I fear as the visible church devolves deeper and deeper into divisiveness, we may collectively be allowing our generation to become “the apostasy”.
I like that Gavin brings up the fact that seeking unity and the spirit of loving one another will help the visible church point the world to Christ.
Let’s find the “warm corner in our hearts” for each other and stop all this divisiveness.
Good message. ☺️
I’m so glad you had this to say Gavin- your Christian charity and gentleness towards the issues of the family of God is a breath of fresh air.
My son introduced me to your channel a couple years ago and I must say… The Lord has used you in a wonderful way when it comes to how I, personally understand many issues. Theological triage is something that that has re-ordered and softened my hold on several doctrines. I was being influenced by the all or nothing- cancel culture of the current church climate.
I thank you for your ministry Sir.
Amen!! Thank you. I love and honor Dr Begg for his faithful preaching of God's word for 40+ years.
Though I Biblically disagree with Alistair’s advise, I do respect him as a pastor and brother in Christ! Both sides of the issue need to step back, pray and seek the Lord for a wise response! We may now have two issues, our response to gay weddings and how to respond to those whom we disagree! Social media may not be the best platform to respond to such issues. However, both John Piper and Jeff Friel provided very wise and compassionate responses to this issue!
Thank you for your perspective on this.
Just another facet that might fit into informing others regarding why this Alistair sound byte is so controversial. I don't believe I have the answer, but it is in my mind a nuance folks are not paying attention to: the term marriage to the church is totally opposite of the same word to the non-believing world, including the gay sector. It seems as though the world is doing a great job of coopting terms and changing their definitions on an alarming rate. So here is my thought: if those concerned with the use of the term marriage would simply remove it and use a term that is descriptive of the truth of the activity and not what those performing this activity want one to believe it to be, would that not be a possible way to calm the waters around this storm?
I apologize for my verbosity. I appreciate and agree with your take on this and have learned much in regard to my own need to be, in your word, irenic with others.
Yes and Amen!
Agree with everything you said. I have been greatly blessed by Alistair's ministry. I hope Christians will be praying for him and his ministry to carry on strong, despite any disagreement!
We can also pray that he doesn’t encourage unGodly behavior.
Thank you for your point of view. I wonder if so many who have attacked Alistair Begg have gone to the wedding of 2 who have lived together for years; where the bride is obviously pregnant or one is marrying an unbeliever? I wish I could see consistency amidst the vitriol of condemnation . Your comments are a breath of fresh air.
Thank you.
Re: Mr. Begg's removal from conference(s): Given the fact that this has caused a "firestorm" of reactions, it would seem prudent for him to remove himself or be removed from any platform where HE could become the center of attention rather than the preeminence of God and His word. Whether people are right or wrong in their response to Mr. Begg, the ARE people who are distracted by "shiny objects". Begg will be a shiny object for at least the near future. Perhaps when things cool down he can return to these events. But I agree that he should not be written off, although I will be listening to his teachings with my antenna up for a bit at least.
Thank you!
Wonderful word.
Astonished at the kives 5:08 in Alistair 's back....let he who is without sin cast the first knife - I suppose all the pastors are sinless?! God is watching!
I’ve noticed how quickly people get “called out” and accused of “heresy” or something. It’s kind of sad how much infighting there is especially through social media. And personally challenging as well. To return to Christlikeness.
Christians should be discerning about what pastors and teachers say. Time and time again these men, especially those with celebrity, have little by little begun to compromise. And advice, like from this guy, that we should all just get along, takes us further and further down the slippery slope. Not only did Begg, one of my favorites, give this horrible advice to this grandmother, but he then responded with absolute arrogance when he was pressed on it. Will I cancel Alistair Begg? No. But I will put him on the compromise watch list.
Well said.
I see far too much "biting and devouring" amongst Christians - and there appears a militant Calvinist group overly zealous to impose their superior Theology upon all of Christendom. Begg is a long-time favorite of mine, even if I don't agree with his more Reformed teaching. R.C Sproul an amazing teacher even if he held to different "End Times" Theology.
We cannot compare Begg in one private comment to blatant heresy like Osteen or Andy Stanley.
Each of us will need to learn how to teach and live Biblical truth while also nurturing real relationships in this fallen world - so that
important Godly conversations might one day take place.
People are probably becoming less trusting of "pastors" and "pastors" are finding their job harder because, as a recent AWI poll demonstrated, a little more than a third of "pastors" hold to a biblical worldview, while a little over 12% of Children and Youth "pastors" hold to one.
And as some Protestants have said, none of this Begg controversy matters because marriage is a secondary, tertiary issue. If it's not "the doctrines of Grace" then Begg is fine holding whatever beliefs he wants and we should make room for those beliefs. No triage is necessary.
I often disagree with you, but you've got this exactly right.
Great video 💯👌
That last quote you shared from Charles Spurgeon was very poignant. Thanks for sharing
He is alive. He is the only one ignoring what is going on and refusing to make a statement directly about it, over it and to close it.
SIR, HAVE YOU EXPRESSED ANY OPINION ABOUT THE TD JAKES SITUATION, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER?
IS THERE ANY BALANCED RESPONSE TO JAKES'S PREDICAMENT?
I agree totally 👍
Likewise i disagree with Alistair Begg on this subject but it's no effort for me to imagine his motive was pure. Wrong, in my opinion, but honest and pure motives. He must be going through a difficult time right now. I pray he comes out healthy and without breaking.
most of the responses to the situation that I have listened to have went out of their way to speak of their love for Alistair, and have been very careful with their words. I guess I am not exposed to those that are very hateful and too strong with their language. I’m glad I have missed this part.
One of the biggest things that really drove me mad, was that what many were saying about Alistair's interview, where the statement was made, and more particularly about his response sermon, that literally treaded into false witness. I understand trying to protect the sheep, even if I disagree about whom you're trying to protect them from, but that doesn't give you the license to lie about and slander something someone has said.
Well said!!
Personally I’m glad there are still Christian leaders and laypeople who are willing to call out a brother who has clearly given unbiblical advice. If individuals in the “American” church were so spiritually “asleep” that they just let this go without any rebuke, that would be far more tragic! And from all I’ve read and heard, the rebuke of Alastair Begg has mostly been very respectful, honestly.
Remember when Paul confronted Peter. Today people would make video's that Paul is just being disagreeable and he should have been more kind, I mean Peter had a track record of faithfulness after all, it's just one thing right? Of course Peter repented Alistair not only refuses to repent he attacked his critics as being "Pharisees".
Well said.
I agree with this. Sometimes our emotions override our brain. We can agree to disagree on things in life. However, this "grandma" should not have broken the confidentiality between her and the counsel she was given. This should have stayed between the two of them. Pastor Begg did not even know the lady but reached out to her because she asked for advice. This brings social media to the brink when certain words are used and the whole picture not seen. Everyone goes ballistic.
Let those without sin be the first to throw the stone?
Thank you so much for this perspective. I happen to fall down on the side of Alastair. I will say that I am in the process of wrestling it out in my spirit. I will continue to pray over it. A very wise Christian friend of mine has said “I am willing to be wrong “. This is something too few people will do. The best we can do is listen to wise counsel, pray, seek God in His word and decide where we are. In doing this we must accept that there will be those who disagree with us. Then we must lovingly agree to disagree without malice. I am saddened at the amount of arrogance I see among believers debating this topic. Even if I feel God telling me Mr. Begg is wrong and I end up taking the opposite stance once my time of prayer and meditation is done I cannot see myself writing off his whole ministry and future teaching based on this one issue.
Good comment here, but I'm failing to see how Gavin didn't do the same thing in response to Andy Stanley's "Why I Love My Church" video since Andy also validated biblical marriage, but Gavin's reaction video made one think he didn't.
Well said. My comment on this situation was "I disagree with Begg, but I disagree more with critics that are calling him a heretic and discrediting his ministry."
Fair enough. What do you think of his sermon calling those who disagree with him as Pharisees who want to commit the sins they call out? And the American evangelicals who don’t understand nuance? I don’t for one moment believe Begg is lost or too far gone. We of course must have grace. But the brother has clearly hardened his heart to the cries for repentance from his fellow pastors who have been in ministry for similar periods.
While I agree with you I wonder how Begg would treat someone who disagrees with him on this issue in his own church? I mean he believes in church discipline and practices it. He believes those who disagree are not free to do so, they are like pharisees, and what does he do with pharisees? So, while I disagree with those calling him a heretic, I suspect he might be doing the same to those who disagree with him
First of all, there is no such thing as ljbkrq or q. By calling it that means you recognize it. It’s called perversion. Until you call it that , I’m not interested in anything you have to say.
I have spent over 20+ years listening to Begg. I have also had the privilege of speaking with him one on one.
@@leepeterson4868 I’ve listened to many of his messages. I think a lot of him. Now I’m confused. What is your take on his position?