I recently came across an article that a few years ago would have shocked me. I am saddened to say that it disappointed me a great deal, but didn’t really bother me like it would have in the past. The headline to the article proclaimed, “Gay Bishop Will Open Inaugural Weekend”. New Hampshire Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson has been invited to offer a prayer, at the Lincoln Memorial, for an inaugural event for President-elect Barack Obama. The article goes on to quote the bishop in saying,” he doesn’t yet know what he’ll say, but he knows he won’t use a Bible”. However, the statement I found most absurd was when Robinson declared, “I will be careful not to be especially Christian in my prayer. This is a prayer for the whole nation”.
First things first; prayer is communication between man and God. When a Christian prays he should have a purpose behind it. He is speaking directly to God. It is an awesome privilege that the Creator of the universe allows us to speak directly to Him. If we are speaking solely for the benefit of another human, then we are not praying. We are simply talking or giving a speech. If a Christian Bishop does not pray a Christian prayer, then what would be the purpose of praying at all? To pray in any other way would be fruitless.

I don’t know why I get so frustrated with the way things are. The Bible says that in the last days men will turn away from sound Biblical truths and will pursue heretical doctrines, this is a prime example. Calling yourself an openly gay Christian is a contradiction of terms. God has not changed His mind; homosexuality is still a sin. The Bible says that God desires obedience to His Word over anything else we have to offer.
As an African American, I take offense with the gay community placing themselves in the same category as a racial minority group. Blacks and other minority groups have fought long and hard against being mistreated simply because of the color of their skin, or overlooked because of their gender. Homosexuality is a choice; race and gender are not.
I take issue with the fact that Christianity has been diluted. So many people want to be labeled as a Christian, yet they don’t want to follow the tenets of Christianity. The level of compromise that has taken place within the realm of Christianity is sickening. If you don’t want to follow the Bible, then why label yourself as a Christian?
God hates compromise! In the Old and the New Testaments, God’s judgment was harshest towards the people that said they were people of God, yet didn’t live accordingly. Jesus harshly condemned certain religious leaders by saying, “they confess me with their mouths yet their hearts are far from me”. Those are the people who Jesus termed as “hypocrites” and “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that lead many people astray.
If you don’t want to follow the Bible then that is your choice. Of course, there are negative consequences, but it is your choice. If you choose not to follow the Biblical definition of Christianity, then be something else. Why is it so important to have the title “Christian”? It is not a club or a social organization; it is a lifestyle. Being called a Christian will not get you into Heaven; living the life spelled out in the Bible will.
Christianity is based on faith. The Bible says that our salvation starts with our confession of faith, faith in Jesus Christ and faith in the Word of God. You demonstrate your faith by being obedient to God’s Word, not by proclaiming Christianity. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Bishop Robinson and others like him are attempting to hijack Christianity and to turn it into something that is convenient for them. They want the title, but they do not want to be inconvenienced by the lifestyle.
So Bishop Robinson I have three questions for you: 1) If you don’t follow the Bible then why do you want to have the title Christian? 2) If you claim to be a Christian then why offer up a prayer that is not based on your faith? 3) And lastly, if you do not believe in what you profess then why bother?