Louie Giglio is a pastor in Atlanta, Georgia. I first becomes acquainted with Louie while a student at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. Louie started a Bible study for students called "Choice" which met at a church near campus on Monday nights. The Bible study was very popular among students and I found myself in the audience on a few occasions. Louie always brought a good word encouraging students to deeper faith in God. I haven't kept up with Louie over the years and was somewhat surprised to hear of an invitation recently extended him by the Obama administration to be a part of the upcoming inauguration. Giglio was asked to give the benediction at the end of this month's festivities. The invitation was soon challenged by social liberals because of Louie's views on homosexuality. Gigilio holds to the traditional Christian view that any sexual activity outside of marriage between a man and woman is sin. How shocking. Pressure began to mount and Giglio removed his name from the inaugural program.
Many are writing blog articles (Great One Here) bemoaning the pressure placed upon Giglio for his orthodox beliefs. There is united outrage among evangelicals as well as calls for an end to religious litmus tests for those who would venture into the public square. I also feel outrage over the intolerance and bigotry of the left and homosexual lobby in particular. But my bigger disappointment is with Giglio. Why withdraw your name Louie? Why not force the Obama administration to publicly remove you from the program thereby exposing their own prejudice? I just don't get it. Perhaps there were threats behind the scenes? Perhaps deals were made? Who knows the motivation but a quiet "bowing out" on the part of Giglio is very disappointing.
Christians must be prepared for opposition from the lost world. Jesus promised us, assured us, that we would be opposed and even hated for our faith in Him. The Gospel has never been popular with the world at large. Only recently, in America, have we bought into the idea we could be both orthodox and liked by the world living apart from Christ.
I support you Louie. I love you man. But I really wish you have chosen a different path on this one. I trust you had good reasons but I hope the desire to be liked wasn't one of them.
James
It may possibly be his board, or other ruling bodies that promoted his decision. I doubt he was worried about opposition from the lost world. However, in an effort to keep peace among his members, he might have decided the best alternative was to bow out. Evidently his last sermon on homsexuality was 15 years ago, and he took a stand against it then. He may have a different view these days.
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