I think this is a teaching moment for Christian leaders. The refusal to speak clearly when asked remains a problem, which is what precipitated this to begin with. Given that this issue may be the hottest cultural topic and given the swiftness with which society and, increasingly, the courts have accepted gay marriage, prominent Christian leaders will no longer be able to sidestep this question. We’ll need to be ready with an answer that reflects both truth and grace (1 Peter 3:15). We can’t get away with a hedging position or a triangulating non-answer.

In light of new comments from Hillsong’s head pastor, Brian Houston, I wanted to add some additional thoughts to the critical comments I made on Friday.

On Saturday, the Christian Post reported the following statement from Brian Houston:

I encourage people not to assume a media headline accurately represents what I said at a recent press conference.

Nowhere in my answer did I diminish biblical truth or suggest that I or Hillsong Church supported gay marriage. I challenge people to read what I actually said, rather than what was reported that I said. My personal view on the subject of homosexuality would line up with most traditionally held Christian views. I believe the writings of Paul are clear on this subject.

I was asked a question on how the church can stay relevant in the context of gay marriage being legal in the two states of the USA where we have campuses. My answer was simply an admission of reality—no more and no less. I explained that this struggle for relevance was vexing as we did not want to become ostracized by a world that needs Christ.

I made the point that public statements condemning people will place a barrier between the church and the world (and I note that Jesus came to save and not to condemn), which is why at Hillsong, we don’t want to reduce the real issues in peoples lives to a sound bite.

This & like many other issues, is a conversation the church needs to have and we are all on a journey as we grapple with the question of merging biblical truth with a changing world.

What should we make of these new developments?

First, whenever and wherever a pastor sides with biblical teaching and reaffirms his commitment to Scriptural authority, we should rejoice. Brian Houston has done so in this statement, and for that we should be thankful.

Second, Houston phrased his clarification on the basis that Paul is in fact clear about homosexuality, which is commendable. Unlike some, Houston is clearly not afraid to hold Paul’s teachings on this issue as the inspired revelation of God. He has not attempted to distort Scripture to make it appear affirming of homosexuality as others have (Acts 20:30). I don’t want to be too finicky, but it is important to add that Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality isn’t a unique formulation just to Paul; it’s the narrative—full sweep—from Genesis to Revelation. Marriage, gender, and sexuality aren’t just appendages tacked onto Scripture, but are icons of the Gospel and human flourishing (Matthew: 19:4–6; Ephesians 5:22–33; Hebrews 13:4).

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