LifeWay Christian Resources has decided to pull Jen Hatmaker's books off its shelves after the author and former HGTV star expressed her support for gay marriage and affirmed the LGBT lifestyle.
"In a recent interview, [Hatmaker] voiced significant changes in her theology of human sexuality and the meaning and definition of marriage — changes which contradict LifeWay's doctrinal guidelines," LifeWay spokesman Marty King told the Baptist Press. "As a result, LifeWay has discontinued selling her resources."
Hatmaker, known for books such as "Interrupted: When Jesus Wrecks Your Comfortable Christianity" and "For the Love: Fighting for Grace in a World of Impossible Standards," said in an earlier interview with Religion News Service columnist Jonathan Merritt that "any two adults have the right to choose who they want to love" and are entitled to "the same legal protections as any of us."
"From a spiritual perspective, since gay marriage is legal in all 50 states, our communities have plenty of gay couples who, just like the rest of us, need marriage support and parenting help and Christian community. They are either going to find those resources in the church or they are not," said Hatmaker.
Hatmaker even said she would attend the wedding of a gay friend "with gladness" and "would drink champagne" because she wants the "very best for my gay friends."
But out of all the statements made by Hatmaker during that interview, it was probably her belief that an LGBT relationship can be holy that earned her the most criticism. "My views here are tender. This is a very nuanced conversation, and it's hard to nail down in one sitting," she said. "I've seen too much pain and rejection at the intersection of the gay community and the church. Every believer that witnesses that much overwhelming sorrow should be tender enough to do some hard work here."
For its part, LifeWay Christian Resources said Hatmaker's views contradicts its doctrinal guidelines, and even though they have published several resources with the Christian author, they do not agree with her views on the theology of human sexuality and the meaning and definition of marriage.
