Baylor Bears, Magnolia Wares, & Tastefully Done Apostasy Part II
May 2023: Hearth and Hell in a Handbasket
June 2023: Magnolia Offers New Line of Crickets at Target
August 2023: Hearth and Hell Update
Here is why I am sharing these. I want you to see how absent they are of personal attack or vitriol. I want you to see that I have communicated Believer to Believer, pleading for courage.
Y’all, I am in Texas.
I have mutual friends with Chip and Joanna Gaines. I am amazed by all that the Lord has allowed them to create. It should encourage everyone to pursue their dreams. I am rooting for them. They seem lovely, and I bet they are a delight at tailgates.
But friends, you can be lovely and wrong.
I know this because I have been this (maybe not that lovely, but wrong for sure).
Lovely personality and folksy morality in ZERO WAYS equates to theological accuracy.
Even more surprising to the brethren–incorrect theology in the Body can and SHOULD be pointed out faithfully, firmly, and graciously.
This is the primary function of koinonia, fellowship centered on Christ, glorifying to the Father and edifying to His children. As siblings, we encourage, correct, defend, and speak truth.
Let’s do so now. Here are some of the statements I saw this week worthy of clarification.
“They’re staying neutral to protect their livelihood, their brand, their company. Target probably makes them a significant amount of income.”
Fine. But we as Christians are NOT called to “stay neutral to protect our livelihood, brand, company…income…” Or even life. My goodness, someone tell Tyndale and Timothy they didn’t have to die.!
This is a low view of God and a high view of self. God provides. Not me. What I have, He has generously allowed. What I do not have, He has generously and wisely kept from. Period. Y’all this is the easy yoke of being HIS CHILD, an heir…a dependent of a good and giving Father. Stop striving. I hope this is a relief to you, your job is not to provide. It is to obey.
“Therefore, do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:31-33 (See also: Matthew 6:24, Philippians 4:19, Hebrews 13:5-6)
“Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever tries to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:32
“They are just being kind to others as the church should, as Jesus would. You can be accepting without approving.”
Fabulous. What a relief. Where exactly is the line between acceptance and approval?
Do you really think the same-sex couple was brought onto the show for disapproval of any kind to be expressed to them?
The Hanna-Riggs Husbands are influencers and activists. They stated their purposes for exposure was to normalize same-sex couples and same-sex families. They are on a mission. And Magnolia shares it. They responded to a casting ad that featured a same-sex couple. Magnolia wasn’t duped into liking these guys, they were seeking them…bold, attractive, advocates. Y’all tolerance and acceptance left the barndominum years ago. These guys will have a show on Magnolia by Christmas, and it too will normalize a version of family that God did not intend.
But it’s okay, everything is fine because you can platform people without agreeing with them. Though I don’t know why you would.
Leaders should love their followers enough to lead them well. And that means towards right and righteous things.
Friends, this is basic stuff. Jesus 101. If you think Christ came for mere earthly compassion, you have missed the point. He came for the salvation of sinners unto THE ONE, TRUE and HOLY GOD. He saves and He sanctifies. Unless you are the thief on the cross, accepting Christ with your last breath…you have not been excused from the second part, where we respond in obedience, allowing the power of the Holy Spirit to conform us into Christ’s image.
These are earthly versus eternal issues.
It’s not about Target or TV. Do you know why Jesus came or not? He did not surrender His crown just so we could feel accepted on earth. He came so we could be accepted in Heaven.
Many in the Church think there is nothing worse than earthly scorn or poverty. Hell disagrees, friend.
“You’re being selective about sin…”
Fine. Let’s say that I am. Read these two posts and tell me how many words I spent addressing Frontier Husbands or LGBTQIA+ students at Baylor. 52.
The other 2200 words? For Baylor University and Magnolia.
Which sin do you think I think is more grievous? Christians leading other Christians astray.
Millstones, baby. Millstones, Chip. You took to X to accuse and arrogantly scold the Church for recognizing inconsistency and sin and being willing to say as much, even if some said it poorly. Dangerous ground, brother.
“This is why people are leaving the church.”
Maybe. But anyone who is supposed to be in the Church cannot be kept from it. Think on that a minute.
Read Acts. The Church was bold and accompanied by Holy Spirit authority. And BELIEVERS were drawn by the Lord. We should be outstanding witnesses wooing the lost. But I think that more are leaving the Church because we have peddled a false Gospel that feels empty in reality to people who would have rejected it in truth.
Why take up a cross and sacrifice anything to follow a Savior, I don’t really need because I have no sin that needs saving from? What with all this inclusion and acceptance.
