Is Steve Saint on the side of Chad Allen?

Moments like these I wish I had cable tv.  As previously mentioned, Larry King is debating gay marriage in light of the movie “Brokeback Mountain” with a panel consisting of Chad Allen, Albert Mohler, Janet Parshall, and Guy Padgett.  I just finished reading the transcript from CNN and the biggest shock was really the closing remarks when Larry King asked if either Chad Allen or Guy Padgett wished they were straight:

KING: Chad Allen, being honest, do you ever wish you were straight? You wish you were straight?

ALLEN: There have been times in my life when I’ve absolutely wished that I was straight, without question. Today in my life, the acceptance of my sexuality is a beautiful gift from God that I get to share with the world, and my partner has made me happier than anything. And I think it’s so important to address, because they keep coming back and saying, if you follow this path then it’s going to lead to darkness; you follow this path, and it’s going to lead to dangerous…

KING: Do you ever think you’re doing something wrong?

ALLEN: Listen, I question myself all the time to make sure that I’m operating in the right way and the way that I want to operate in the world. And this what I’ve come to, again and again and again. It’s been where my heart has been brought. You are whole, perfect and complete right now, exactly as you are.

KING: Do you ever wish you were straight, Guy?

PADGETT: No. No, I don’t think so. I wished that kids in junior high wouldn’t tease other kids about being gay. I wish that we could view one another with love and acceptance. But no, I’m happy with who I am. I’m happy with who I am, and where I’m going with my life. And I know that I’m on the right course.

KING: Reverend Mohler, do you think that tide is turning against your opinions? MOHLER: Well, I think we’re watching the breakdown of norms in this society. I don’t doubt that. I sense that we have a big task as Christians to articulate what is our most basic concern, and that is, Larry, that on the cross, Christ died for sinners, heterosexual and homosexual, and the only way to be made whole is in him, and that is more important than anything else I could possibly say.

KING: And, Janet, do you think you’re losing this battle?

PARSHALL: No. Truth always reigns, Larry. It will be debated for a long period of time. And you know what? Chad Allen stars in a wonderful film called “End of the Spear.” He plays a fellow by the name of Nate Saint, who was macheted to death by a very, very aggressive tribe in Ecuador. And you know what, Steve, his son, is now alive today. He travels with the man who macheted his father to death.

And they didn’t say to the Wadoni (ph) tribe, hey, make it up, you can find your own path to God. They told them exactly how to find God, and their whole lives and their entire culture changed because of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, Chad, it’s a great film, and I’m going to be happy to be seeing it.

ALLEN: Thank you very much. And I appreciate that. I couldn’t agree more. Steve Saint called me today, and he said, I need you to know that I’m sitting here with Mincayani. We’ll be watching you tonight. We love you. We are on your side. And I know that we have those differences, but we are walking through this together. That’s where we’re going to go.

It is no surprise that homosexuals are equating their struggle to the civil rights struggle in the 60′s.  It was also no surprise that Evangelical Christians are labeled as bigots, unloving, and judgmental.  That will always be the case because in a fallen world, the cross of Christ is an offense – a hideous offense until God opens the eyes of the sinner and shows them the beauty of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2Cor 4:6).  Mohler rightly closed his final arguments by saying:

KING: Reverend Mohler, do you think that tide is turning against your
opinions? MOHLER: Well, I think we’re watching the breakdown of norms
in this society. I don’t doubt that. I sense that we have a big task as
Christians to articulate what is our most basic concern, and that is,
Larry, that on the cross, Christ died for sinners, heterosexual and
homosexual, and the only way to be made whole is in him, and that is
more important than anything else I could possibly say.

To the world, and its societal breakdowns, that message of the cross is an offense.  I would like to however strongly qualify that offense.  The Gospel itself is an offense, we as Christians should not be offensive in our testimony nor declaration of the Gospel.  The Gospel is offensive to the dying world, we need not add to its sting, but to remain faithful to its truth while compassionate in its delivery.

Now you may say, but its not just the secular world that is being offended its also other Christians as the callers in this interview. Well the more complicated problem it seems is that Christians have blurred their vision for the truth of the bible and traded it for political correctness. Evangelicalism’s message has gone from preach Christ and Him crucified to preach Christ and embrace all lifestyles.

Now back to the surprise of the evening.. what surprised me is that Steve Saint, the son of Nate Saint the missionary, is supporting an openly gay man like Chad Allen by saying:

We’ll be watching you tonight. We love you. We are on your side. And I know that we have those differences.

Now I don’t doubt Steve Saint has a genuine love for Chad Allen – I am also encouraged by that loving sentiment – however, the real shocker is Steve Saint, the missionary pastor would really say he is on [Chad Allen's] side.  What does he mean by that?  That no matter what the differences are he will side with Chad against other Christians?  I know they worked together on the movie, End of the Spear and I’m sure formed a wonderful friendship and comraderie.  But what did he mean by saying, “we are on your side?”

There is much more to say on this very hot issue as already seen in the blogosphere:

Sharper Iron’s Jason Janz
Justin Taylor
Tim Challies

The issues seems to have opened up toward multiple levels:

1) Why did the proeducers choose a well known gay activist like Chad Allen to play the role of a well known Christian Missionary?

2) Does Steve Saint support Chad Allen’s lifestyle as a homosexual?

3) Should Christians watch this movie?  Is it a matter of principle or conscience?

At the moment, my curiousity is targetted at number 2.  We’ll see how this story unfolds.