In a very bold display of sound, Biblical Christian doctrine, ESPN reporter Chris Broussard stated that homosexuality is sinful rebellion against God when asked about NBA player Jason Collins’ announcement that he is gay. The video of Broussard’s comments is below:
When asked about Collin’s Christian faith, Broussard gave a very clear statement explaining the Biblical position on homosexuality:
“Personally, I don’t think you can live an openly homosexual lifestyle, or [engage in] premarital sex between heterosexuals [as a Christian],” Broussard continued. “If you’re openly living that type of lifestyle, then the Bible says you will know them by their fruits. It says that it’s a sin, and if you’re living in unrepentant sin — whatever it may be, not just homosexuality — adultery, fornication, premarital sex between heterosexuals, whatever it may be, I believe that’s walking in open rebellion to God.”
The question on homosexuality and sin stemmed from Collins’ own statement about his Christian faith in the Sports Illustrated Op-Ed that broke the news of his announcement. As Collins wrote in the article:
“I’m from a close-knit family. My parents instilled Christian values in me. They taught Sunday school, and I enjoyed lending a hand. I take the teachings of Jesus seriously, particularly the ones that touch on tolerance and understanding. On family trips, my parents made a point to expose us to new things, religious and cultural. In Utah, we visited the Mormon Salt Lake Temple. In Atlanta, the house of Martin Luther King Jr. That early exposure to otherness made me the guy who accepts everyone unconditionally.” (source).
Jesus Christ defined marriage as between a man and a woman:
And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?” – Matthew 19:4-5.
Homosexuality is a sin in the Bible. From Collins statement, it seems that he is professing his Christian faith, but he is not following the clear teaching of Jesus. Additionally, he did not even address the Bible’s verses on homosexuality in his op-ed piece. Instead Collins’ words represents the modern apostate position on the homosexuality that seeks to remove it as a sin from the Bible altogether.
What Collins did credit for making his announcement was a changing “political climate” led by President Barak Obama:
“It starts with President Obama’s mentioning the 1969 Stonewall riots, which launched the gay rights movement, during his second inaugural address. And it extends to the grade-school teacher who encourages her students to accept the things that make us different.” (source).
Obama, dubbed “America’s First Gay President” for his outspoken and passionate advocacy for the gay community, based his own “evolution” on the issue of gay marriage on his interpretation of the Bible. Here is the President praising Collins for his announcement.
Golfer Bubba Watson, an outspoken Christian athlete, tweeted in support of Broussard:
Thanks @chris_broussard for sharing your faith & the bible!! #GodIsGood
— bubba watson (@bubbawatson) April 30, 2013
Broussard later issued a statement to clarify his position on the issue:
“Today on OTL, as part of a larger, wide-ranging discussion on today’s news, I offered my personal opinion as it relates to Christianity, a point of view that I have expressed publicly before. I realize that some people disagree with my opinion and I accept and respect that. As has been the case in the past, my beliefs have not and will not impact my ability to report on the NBA. I believe Jason Collins displayed bravery with his announcement today and I have no objection to him or anyone else playing in the NBA.” (source).
Media Backlash Against Homosexuality Being Declared a Sin
Predictably in response to Broussard’s statements, the media has criticized him. He has been called a “a bigot”, some articles called him “an idiot”, and recommend he should be fired. In the face of the criticism, Broussard puts his trust in The Lord:
“Even though I’m getting a lot of hate God is being glorified..”I’m getting such an outpouring of support from Christians throughout the country and even throughout the world. I’ve had several big name pastors call me or tweet in support of me. I’ve had NBA players and coaches and management call me in support.. “I believe God is getting all the glory from this and I’ve been resting on the scriptures, ‘blessed are you when you are persecuted for righteousness sake.’ So I know this is a blessing,”
“We live here in America and we want our children growing up in a country where they can be free to serve the Lord and speak for the Lord and hopefully society’s morals and standards would encourage that. My whole vision is that we impact America so much that they turn towards God.” (source).
Broussard also puts his efforts into his K.I.N.G. ministry, a Christian outreach and movement for young men. As listed in its Mission Statement:
K.I.N.G. is a national Christian Men’s Movement geared toward strengthening men in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ by providing brotherhood, encouragement, accountability, knowledge and fellowship. The name K.I.N.G. is an acronym for Knowledge, Inspiration and Nurture through God…K.I.N.G. is a movement, not a mere organization that runs programs. Its aim is to become a strong and visible example of Godly men uniting to better themselves, their families, their communities, their nation and their world by unashamedly standing up for faith in Jesus Christ and adherence to His teachings. (source).
One of the teachings of Jesus commanded Christians to adhere to their faith: “Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” (Matthew 5:13). Pray for Broussard to continue to stand for the Christian faith in what will surely be a media backlash and calls for his firing. Having written about this issue in the past, he surely anticipated a negative response but did not let that hold him back proclaiming Biblical truths. Praise The Lord for a Christian in the world of entertainment who is not willing to compromise to please society.
“Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16.
I’m glad to see new posts from B&E!
On the issue I believe too many people are following what “men of the world” say rather than what God says.
Ps 146:3 “Put not your trust in princes, nor the son of man, in whom there is no help.”
Pro. 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not into your own understanding.”
Americas first open Sodom & Gomorrah President would be a better way to say it, gay means happy and I’ve never met a gay sodomite, they’re all trying to hide their pain behind fake smiles.
Having grown up learning that the whole point of those passages on Sodom and Gomorrah was that homosexuality was wrong, and that we shouldn’t love someone of the same gender, I never even considered exploring other possibilities. I recently did some reading and went over all the passages, and I now do not think that that is what the passages were even about.
So these people were evil, cruel, horrible people. They raped and murdered and killed and were just all around bad. When God decided to test them before destroying them, they raped and beat those God sent. But I don’t think the fact that they were men raping men was the point.
Think about it: What was the lowest thing in society a person could be? A woman. Women were used as objects to trade and were property of men. What do men do to women? They penetrate them when having sex. For them to rape the men God sent was demeaning. It was showing them that they were as low and worthless as the women of that time.
And thus, God destroyed their cities. Not because they were gay, because they probably weren’t, but because they were sh*tty people.
I agree w/ you brothers.
I think he handled the situation quite well. He didn’t say Collins should be killed or anything. He simply offered his opinion in a respectful way.
Broussard should definitely be fired for his homophobic and bigoted comments. Thank you Obama for standing up for what’s right. Spread the love, brothers!
It is so sad that Chris is being considered homophobic or bigoted for his person opinion and beliefs; he didn’t say that Jason or anyone else who desires to live the homosexual life style can’t live that life style; he never said anything about being able to play with other athletes. He only expressed his opinion based on the Bible that we as Christians live by, he is authorized the same inalienable right as Jason has to believe what he wants to believe without being threatened to be fired. Those calling Chris a bigot are the real bigots because they only want you to accept their beliefs. As a Christian I love Jason and any other person who chose to live the gay lifestyle, but that doesn’t mean that I condone their lifestyle. I have friends who are gay and they will always be my friends I respect their choice to live their lives as they do and they respect the fact that when I expressed to them that they are living in sin as I too live in sin everyday but through Christ I’m able to come to forgive me from my sins. As a true Christian I learned that I must show the love of Christ to everyone and I do just that but as those who are gay are entitled to their choices and beliefs (which I feel that those rights and choices must be respected, though I don’t have to agree) I am entitled to mines as well. I shouldn’t be trying to make you agree with me nor should you make me agree with you, you shouldn’t be fired because you chose to live your life as a gay man or woman, nor should I be fired because I believe that it is a sin for you to live your lifestyle. I admired Jason for standing up for what he believes, but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t agree with it. As I also admire Chris for standing up for what he believes and I standby his stance that this is a sin no worst than any other sin and being a sinner myself who is saved by the grace of Christ I too need Him.