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The controversy stems from a September 2023 interview in which Begg promotes his book “The Christian Manifesto.” In the interview, he detailed counsel he had given a grandmother who was asking for advice on attending her grandson’s wedding to someone who identified as transgender. Before continuing, Begg acknowledged people may disagree with his answer. Click HERE to read the entire interview.
Begg said he first confirmed that the woman’s grandson understood she was a Christian and could not affirm his lifestyle choices. When she said that was true, he responded, “Well then, okay. As long as he knows that, then I suggest that you do go to the ceremony. And I suggest that you buy them a gift.”
When the grandmother was caught off guard, Begg continued, “Well, here’s the thing: Your love for them may catch them off guard, but your absence will simply reinforce the fact that they said, ‘These people are what I always thought: judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything.’”
Begg’s radio ministry is broadcast across 1,800 radio outlets. AFR Vice President Ed Vitagliano told American Family Network, “Pastor Begg’s program will no longer air on American Family Radio. He is an excellent Bible teacher. We certainly wish him the best.”
“This is a critical issue in the body of Christ right now,” Vitagliano explained. “And this is not only the wrong counsel, but it is deeply disturbing for Christians who want to hold the line against the cultural impact of the LGBTQ agenda.”
Vitagliano and AFA Vice President Walker Wildmon talked to Begg in hopes their call would lead to a reconciliation between the radio network and Begg—but Begg stood by the advice he laid out to the grandmother.
In the September interview, Begg admitted his advice involves walking a fine line, and each person has to “work out their salvation with fear and trembling.” But he said that is the sort of risk Christians must take to reach those who are lost.
“I think we’re going to have to take that risk,” Begg said. “We’re going to have to take that risk a lot more if we want to build bridges into the hearts and lives of those who don’t understand Jesus and don’t understand that he is a King.”
Personal note: I wholeheartedly agree with Pastor Begg's advice because if we don't share God's love, then who? And as for American Family Network, I can understand their reasoning as well, but I feel that their opinion is more versed in man's morality than God's love. And I also don't want this opinion to convey the misguided view of God is love and that is His overriding characteristic. God is love, but God is also Holy. And those two co-exist but that is because He is God, and I am not. So as I get older I strive to choose love and not immediately reach for judgement. Yes, we are not to bury God's convictions in lieu of comprising to the ruling culture of our world, but I also have found it is difficult to convey the love of God through my judgement. Perhaps, that is more His domain and less of me banging the gong of righteousness, which after all is only afforded us through the blood of Jesus after all.
As C.S. Lewis said, "As Christians we are simply one beggar telling another beggar where we found food."
Just my two cents.
