Max Lucado apologizes for past sermon on homosexuality after critics slam National Cathedral invitation

Two things occur to me: 1 - there’s no way to be biblical, or even traditional, on this topic without giving offense to many in the LGBTQ community; 2 - that’s no reason to be lazy: we should do our best to make sure the offense is Scripture and not us. I guess I’d add 3 - I don’t know either way about Lucado’s sermon, whether there is anything to apologize for there or not. Maybe there is. I haven’t heard or read it.

At the beginning of his message, he greeted the bishop of the DC diocese, Bishop Budde.

https://youtu.be/MedstX_vX_E

This is what she has said about Jesus’ resurrection:

“To say that resurrection is essential doesn’t mean that if someone were to discover a tomb with Jesus’ remains in it that the entire enterprise would come crashing down. The truth is that we don’t know what happened to Jesus after his death, anymore than we can know what will happen to us. What we do know from the stories handed down is how Jesus’ followers experienced his resurrection. What we know is how we experience resurrection ourselves.”

He had no business preaching for them; he lacks basic discernment.

Whether he should have preached there is an important but separate question from whether he has anything to apologize for in this sermon from years ago.

It’s important, because there are genuinely biblical ways to preach these truths and there are also sloppy and inappropriate and even hateful ways. Sadly, I’ve heard the latter more than once.

Edited to add: This article at Church Leaders is more informative and includes the text of Lucado’s apology. He’s trying to uphold traditional marriage and still be gentle toward LGBTQ persons. Without seeing the sermon that was so allegedly “horrific” and “insensitive,” it’s hard to say if he’s moving the right direction or the wrong one on this. https://churchleaders.com/news/390408-max-lucado-apologizes-for-same-se…

Lucado is typical of many Evangelicals: generally good preaching/writing but not understanding Biblical separation and lacking discernment. A few years ago Lucado wrote the forward to one of T.D. Jakes’ books. Jakes does not believe in the Trinity; his view is more modalistic. I called Lucado’s office and talked to his executive assistant. She seemed unaware and unconcerned about Jakes’ views on the Trinity. Of course, the executive assistant is not Lucado, but you would think that Lucado would be aware of the issue/problem.

The language Lucado uses in his statement is the typical language used in today’s apology culture. Sends the wrong message and reflects weakness. No one should be surprised, however.

I believe this is the original message by Lucado which was taken down. This may provide a helpful reference.

https://web.archive.org/web/20040716031526/http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/1273774.html

Lucado’s retraction is reprehensible.

Here is information and commentary that I found helpful:

“Max Lucado’s Apology for Having Spoken the Truth….”

Thanks for the link. I read one of his books on grace a few years ago. He made a few good points about grace but then he commented about a friend who left his wife and children because he felt he was gay. He tells how he went and participating in a gay pride parade to support his friend. I haven’t read any of his books since.

Lucado is slippery. The last time I looked, he hadn’t unequivocally distanced himself from the C of C doctrine of baptismal regeneration