An Australian Baptist pastor has come under criticism for posting what are being called homophobic messages on his church windows – although he has said he is solely expressing his opinion on what the Bible says of human sexuality.
The Hamilton Baptist church in Australia, where the Rev. Trevor Walmsley preaches, displayed electronic messages on the side of the sanctuary reading “You are here because God created Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve,” and another reading “None of us owe our existence to same-sex sexual relationships”.
A number of local residents who read the messages were “outraged,” News.com.au reported, but Walmsley was quick to explain that the signs represent his views, and not necessarily those of the church.
“I suppose they are a bit controversial, but I am very much in support of marriage as it has been traditionally known,” the Australian pastor said. “I can’t speak for the denomination but for me personally, and probably for our church here, we would stand for the traditional definition of marriage of a man and a woman for life, to the exclusion of all others.”
He further added that “disagreeing with what other people believe doesn’t necessarily mean we don’t love them.”
The Rev. Rod Benson, a spokesman for the Australian Baptist Ministries, has criticized the display, however, calling the massages “childish” and noting that the Baptist Church cannot be held accountable for the pastor’s views.
“It’s a childish statement and it’s been around for decades, that slogan,” Benson said, referring to the “Adam and Steve” sign.
“It’s very regrettable that one of our Baptist churches would choose to put such a statement on the outside of their building,” he added. “It sends the wrong message. We want to treat all people, without exception, with respect and it’s not helpful in the debate about marriage to have those kinds of childish slogans displayed on our churches.”
While opposing homophobia, the Australian Baptist Ministries recently declared its support for the traditional definition of marriage as between one man and one woman.
“For more than 400 years Baptists have affirmed the Bible as the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. The Bible teaches that the only appropriate context for sexual intercourse is between a woman and a man who are married to each other. Those who argue otherwise have drifted away from biblical ethics and an authentic Baptist understanding of marriage,” read a statement released in June by the ABM.
Dear Catch the Fire and Pastor Daniel Nalliah,
As person who has spent most of his life in Baptist churches and whose grandfathers were Baptist ministers I believe I can comment. God’s position on homosexually is black and white. It is abomination. The gay lifestyle is six lane road to hell that in many cases leads to health problems and an early death. Living a depraved life whether you’re a homosexual or a heterosexual will result in eternal judgement. Gay marriage does not and will not obtain righteousness before God the Judge.
Even though my cousin is married to Rev Benson I strongly oppose Benson’s attacks on Rev Trevor Walmsley. It is exceedingly disappointing, intimidatory and offensive that he as a spokesman for Australian Baptists attacks a minister of the gospel as “childish” when Trevor is prepared to have the courage to state the truth. The Adam and Steve comment may be unsophisticated, but it is a Biblical truth. Pastor Daniel Nalliah has also used this term at least twice in the sermons he has preached. There are now so few pastors in Australia who have the backbone to state the Bible’s position on homosexuality. They have been effectively silenced by the Gay Gestapo. Rev Benson should have congratulated Rev Walmsley rather than denigrating him.
The fact is the Gay Lobby is lying to Australians. It is stating that if gay marriage becomes a reality nothing will change. It’s a deliberate and bare faced lie. Men like Peter Madden who oppose the gay lobby have their private vehicles vandalised. Bill Muhlenberg, Pastor Daniel Nalliah and Fred Nile have been viciously attacked and reviled by the media for many years.
The sad fact is, hundreds of homosexuals across the World are dying every day and their souls are entering hell. Meanwhile those that make clear unambiguous Bible based statements are criticised by so called “politically correct” Christians. If no one says anything, gay marriage will become a reality and a God ordained institution will become irretrievably damaged. Shame on you, Rev Rod Benson. Exercise more care when criticising your Christian brothers, who may in fact have more courage than you do.
Philip Brooks
Sydney
It seems the higher up the ecclesiastical ladder you go, the more hopeless and politically correct you become.
This is a very sad tale, being repeated throughout what’s left of Christendom.
GOD, spare us from these “enlightened”, effete,’ politically correct’,” spinally” challenged, specimens of clergyhood. Have mercy on
us O LORD!!.
Dear Catch the Fire Ministries
I have been receiving your e-mails for a couple of years and have kept them all – basically because I am a horder! – but also because you regularly have very important information which is worth keeping!
Unfortunately after staring at my computer for ages going through all your old e-mails I cannot find the one I need and I’m sure it came from you! It was one about adoption in Homosexual v Heterosexual families and the percentage of children who claim to be sexually abused in both family types. From my vague memory it is something like 0.6 children out of every hundred in families with male and female parents and 35 children out of every hundred children in homosexual families, BUT I need to be precise.
At the moment New Zealand is facing the same Homosexual Marriage law change that you faced a year or so ago and to my disappointment, our pastor has decided that to fight it is to judge the homosexuals and he who casts the first stone and we’re all covered by grace and … Well, based on his statement, we are resigning membership and leaving the church, but I need to write to explain our position and one of the things I wanted to be able to include is the facts about the damage caused to children by our sitting back and doing nothing to stop this sin becoming a statute.
If there is any chance you can find the information I need? I would be very grateful!
Also, as a little extra, I have not been receiving e-mails from you since May and I wonder if you could up-date our e-mail address so that we could start getting them again?
Many thanks in advance
Lynne
New Zealand
I agree that appeasement and agreement with sin in any form is unacceptable. I am guilty of laughing at, and with one particular homosexual friend, because I understand the abusive nature of his biological father towards he, his brother, and his mum, who, thankfully has remarried and is cared for by a very loving husband. God forgive me, because if this friend died tomorrow, he would be going to a Godless Eternity…….I will make reparation shortly….he is very aware of my Christian beliefs and love for mankind, so, knowing that the Lord goes before me……we will do our best.
I agree with Rev.Trevor Walmsley and others………….put what you want on your church building windows……….if it is the TRUTH. I do it all the time, because GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED and Scripture tells us not to even eat with thjose within the Church who attend a church and bring their sin with them……….it means that the Body of Christ is besmirched and made filthy….particularly if these imposters hold office or lead worship yet condone sexual sin in their own families………HOW DARE THEY…….I will not be silent in the Assembly of the Righteous.
Let us be very careful how we live as the Great and Terrible Day of the Lord approaches.
I have an Urgency in my spirit that cannot be contained……..warn them, warn the False Shepherds………no time for playing games, nor playing church with fancy tea parties….He is coming back for a Pure, Holy Bride, and Sydney is coming under Judgment very shortly for that filthy abomination called Mardi-Gras.
Pray for your Politicians…..lift your hands for your children……fast and pray for your own town if the Lord so requires…….NO TIME FOR LIVING THE HIGH LIFE………..do your bit, voraciously devour the Word of God…..spend Time in Prayer and Reflection,…….and forsake the world.