Pastor Branham responds to his critics
letter to the editor
Issue date: 9/30/04 Section: Editorial
Thanks for those critics who were actually respectful in nature. Thanks to those who expressed your support of my views. Unfortunately, some critics not only were wrong in their responses, but also misrepresented what I originally said on several occasions.
I too am afraid. I fear that my statements might be misunderstood. I want to say to the campus homosexual population that I do not hate you.
I unfalteringly stand by the conviction that, according to God's Word, your lifestyles are sinful. I am also convinced that if we do not see another great spiritual awakening and repent of our lenience toward such sinful lifestyles that we could also share the severe fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. If you don't know what I mean, see Genesis 19.
I ask my critics, especially those who claim to be Christians, would you really seek God's wrath? I know that a lot of people might congratulate themselves in their smug, intellectual assumption that the Bible is merely a book of human origin. It seems that perhaps things have changed, but I will not just get over it. I feel like a lone voice for reason, crying out like Lot, "Don't do this wicked thing." I say this, "Please, repent!"
While I absolutely refuse to back down in the face of critics, let the record show that my beliefs are not due to a sense of prideful self-righteousness. I confess that I'm nothing more than a wretched sinner myself, whose only salvation is by God's miraculous grace. Moreover, the grace that has been given to me is not on account of anything righteous that I could have done. I'm simply a thankful recipient of God's forgiveness through the sacrificial death of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, I want the entire student body to know that the stances I take are not based on hatred. The Gospel I preach is one of love. The God I serve is the God of love. Perhaps the most quoted Bible verse in America is John 3:16, which talks about how God loved sinners so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on an old roman cross for our forgiveness.
So please do not mistake me as a preacher of hate. I serve a God of love. However, please also head the warning. God is love, but the Bible tells us that His Spirit will not always offer mankind forgiveness. Repent now. I say again, repent. Jesus Christ can give you forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life if you would only turn from your sins and accept His forgiveness by faith.
I want to invite you all to please join me this Saturday at Suburban Baptist Church in Granite City. I will be preaching a message at 7 p.m. on the topic of God's grace for you and me. The church is on the corner of Maryville Road and St. Clair Avenue. Thanks a lot to the Alestle for hosting such a popular debate.
Brad Branham
Senior
jesustookmysinsaway@hotmail.com
I too am afraid. I fear that my statements might be misunderstood. I want to say to the campus homosexual population that I do not hate you.
I unfalteringly stand by the conviction that, according to God's Word, your lifestyles are sinful. I am also convinced that if we do not see another great spiritual awakening and repent of our lenience toward such sinful lifestyles that we could also share the severe fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. If you don't know what I mean, see Genesis 19.
I ask my critics, especially those who claim to be Christians, would you really seek God's wrath? I know that a lot of people might congratulate themselves in their smug, intellectual assumption that the Bible is merely a book of human origin. It seems that perhaps things have changed, but I will not just get over it. I feel like a lone voice for reason, crying out like Lot, "Don't do this wicked thing." I say this, "Please, repent!"
While I absolutely refuse to back down in the face of critics, let the record show that my beliefs are not due to a sense of prideful self-righteousness. I confess that I'm nothing more than a wretched sinner myself, whose only salvation is by God's miraculous grace. Moreover, the grace that has been given to me is not on account of anything righteous that I could have done. I'm simply a thankful recipient of God's forgiveness through the sacrificial death of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Therefore, I want the entire student body to know that the stances I take are not based on hatred. The Gospel I preach is one of love. The God I serve is the God of love. Perhaps the most quoted Bible verse in America is John 3:16, which talks about how God loved sinners so much that He sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die on an old roman cross for our forgiveness.
So please do not mistake me as a preacher of hate. I serve a God of love. However, please also head the warning. God is love, but the Bible tells us that His Spirit will not always offer mankind forgiveness. Repent now. I say again, repent. Jesus Christ can give you forgiveness, peace with God, and eternal life if you would only turn from your sins and accept His forgiveness by faith.
I want to invite you all to please join me this Saturday at Suburban Baptist Church in Granite City. I will be preaching a message at 7 p.m. on the topic of God's grace for you and me. The church is on the corner of Maryville Road and St. Clair Avenue. Thanks a lot to the Alestle for hosting such a popular debate.
Brad Branham
Senior
jesustookmysinsaway@hotmail.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
AmandaJK
AmandaJK
posted 9/30/04 @ 10:57 PM CST
Thank you Pastor, for responding so eloquently to those who were so brash and disrespectful in their criticism of you. It is obvious that your position is one of righteousness and truth, while the other is merely meant to antagonize those of us with real conviction. (Continued…)
julieillday
julieillday
posted 10/01/04 @ 12:05 PM CST
Mr. Branham,
Two of my dearest friends have been a couple for nine years. They have a beautiful home together. Larry is a graphic designer and Jose is a nanny for a family in St. (Continued…)
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