Christian author Jen Hatmaker's comments approving homosexuality and same-sex marriage drew a lot of negative responses from the evangelical sector, but Hillsong United's Joel Houston had a different reaction to it.
Houston, the leader of the highly popular worship band, wrote on his Twitter page (@JoelHouston), "Wow ... So refreshing," Christian News reported.
Houston was referring to the interview Hatmaker earlier had with Religion News Service. In that interview, she said same-sex relationships can be "holy" and if invited to a gay friend's wedding, she would gladly attend it.
"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," Hatmaker even said. "They are either going to find those resources in the church or they are not."
"Not only are these our neighbours and friends, but they are brothers and sisters in Christ," she continued. "They are adopted into the same family as the rest of us, and the church hasn't treated the LGBT community like family. We have to do better."
Unfortunately for Houston, his support for Hatmaker generated some negative responses as well. One of his followers named Joshua Sardella told the musician, "Some of it maybe, but putting a blanket 'refreshing' on this article doesn't seem wise for someone with your influence."
Instead of arguing with Sardella, Houston accepted his response. "You're probably right," he replied. "But what I found refreshing was her honesty — particularly enacting a gospel of love over hate/fear."
Houston eventually deleted his remarks concerning Hatmaker.
But the negative reactions did not stop there. Jeff Maples of Pulpit & Pen told people to stop listening to Hillsong music because "these men purport to be Christians yet habitually pervert His grace for profit."
As for Erick Erickson of The Resurgent, he won't go as far as changing the radio station if a Hillsong song starts to play, or purge his iPod of their songs. However, he said won't be promoting their music to his listeners anymore.
"I don't doubt the convictions of the leaders at Hillsong, but I think Christians who cannot stand fully for orthodoxy for risk of losing an audience ultimately do more harm than good," he said.
