I recently told you about the popular new Christian singing sensation Lauren Daigle appearing on The Ellen Show and singing her hit song “Still Rolling Stones” from her new album Look Up Child.

It was a powerful Christian testimony, not just to Ellen DeGeneres, but also to everyone in the studio audience … and to millions of viewers and fans of The Ellen Show.

Surprisingly, however, many Christians expressed shock and dismay on social media that a Christian performer would appear on a TV show hosted by someone who is openly gay.

 In responding to the backlash of criticism Ms. Daigle had this to say in a radio interview:

 “I think the second we start drawing lines around which people are able to be approached and which aren’t, we’ve already completely missed the heart of God, I don’t have all the answers in life, but one thing I know is that I can’t choose who I’m supposed to be kind to and who I’m not, because that’s the mission, right? Be who Christ was to everyone as well.”

Here’s how she responded: “You know, I can’t honestly answer on that … um, I don’t know … I can’t say one way or the other … I’m not God, so when people ask questions like that … I just say, ‘Read the Bible and find out for yourself … and when you find out, let me know, ‘cause I’m learning too.’”

 For this “weak” answer, she has been bashed by the Christian media … “publicly lynched,” according to one sympathetic Christian songwriter and worship leader.

 Is this how Christians should treat other Christians who stumble while attempting to glorify the Lord and do the right thing?

Here are 7 factors those who are criticizing Lauren Daigle should consider before they “throw stones” at her:

1. Lauren Daigle is 27 years old. She has never attended Bible school or had any kind of theological training. She may not be aware of the clear Biblical condemnation of homosexuality contained in Romans 1:18-32 and other Scripture passages.

Over the years I’ve written about pastors who have not been able to answer straightforward Biblical questions … and have either dodged issues or compromised. This is wrong because they are teachers and leaders.

If a Christian singer or entertainer is lifted up and looked to as a spiritual role model – as Lauren Daigle has been lifted up – one would hope that she would have enough spiritual grounding, maturity … and understanding of the Scriptures … to handle tough questions like this.

But apart from attending a formal apologetics training program, there is no way to prepare in advance to adequately answer yes-or-no-type questions that require more than a yes-or-no answer.

And the broadcast media – and social media – can be heartless, brutal … and cruel.

In today’s post-Christian culture – if you aren’t thoroughly grounded in Scripture – it’s very easy to get caught up in the tide of basing your views and opinions on feelings rather than on Biblical truth.

2.    Lauren Daigle shouldn’t be equated with Christian leaders such as Dr. Anthony (Tony) Campolo and  Rob Bell, who used to speak out against homosexuality in the past, but more recently have watered down their views due to evolving cultural norms.

3.    There are many Christians who are also homosexuals, who wrongly justify their homosexuality on the grounds that their homosexuality isn’t the type of homosexuality condemned in Romans 1 and elsewhere.

Lauren admitted in her interview that she has friends whom she loves who are homosexuals. If some of those friends also say they love the Lord, their dichotomous lives could easily cause an immature Christian to become confused about whether or not homosexuality is a sin.

4.     All Christians are morally bankrupt – broken, sinful people in need of forgiveness and redemption. Homosexuality is just one of many sexual sins that Christians struggle with. Pornography, heterosexual relations outside of marriage, and adultery are some others.

Many Christians who have struggled with same-sex attraction or other sexual sins – and have succumbed to temptation and have fallen into an ongoing pattern of sinful behavior – have been delivered from their sinful lifestyle through the power of the Holy Spirit.

In the apostle Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, he writes, “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, not effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the Spirit of our God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

5.  The interviewer didn’t distinguish in his question between homosexual tendencies and/or desires, and homosexual activity or behavior. He merely asked, “Do you feel that homosexuality is a sin?” He didn’t explain what he meant by the question … and Lauren Daigle didn’t think to ask for clarification. There IS a difference between temptation or desire to sin … and acting on those desires.

6.  The Christians who are sharply criticizing and condemning Ms. Daigle are not following the instructions in Galatians 6:1-2, “Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.” 

7.  Instead of condemning her and accusing her of compromising her faith, Ms. Daigle’s Christian critics should be offering to teach her and help her understand Scripture. They could start by sharing Colossians 2:8 with her: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ.”

And of course, they should teach her Romans 1 along with the prohibitions of homosexuality in Leviticus 18 and in other Old and New Testament passages.

Responses such as these to Lauren Daigle’s interview misstep would be much more edifying – and a much better Christian testimony – than the harsh criticism and condemnation they have been leveling at her.

______________________What the Bible Says:

But it's a widespread belief among Christians that the Bible is very clear that homosexuality is a sin in the eyes of God.

They point to examples in the New Testament, like Romans 1: 26-28, where the Apostle Paul writes to the church in Rome and tells them "Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. 27 In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done."

Paul also refers to homosexuality in his letter to the church at Corinth - saying that some of them had formerly been involved in various sins before they were saved: 

Dr. Michael Brown

Lauren Daigle. Personally I enjoy her music and I feel she has a gift to reach this generation. I do not feel we should compromise our beliefs laid out in scripture, however, we should always ask ourselves, "What Would Jesus Do?" in every situation in life facing the tough questions. Jesus was good at making His disciples scratch their heads after they saw His approach at dealing with situations. Like coming to the defense of a prostitute about to be stoned, talking to a Samaritan woman at the well who had married five times, dining with a Jewish tax collector working for the enemy and more. Why, asked John. Is He the One or should we be looking for another?

He was more upset with the so called religious leaders of that day, than the besetting sins of those who knew not God and in need of His saving grace. Though I do not agree with homosexuality and other sinful activities in the world around me, Jesus commands that I do as He did . . . Love them as Lauren Daigle does. God gave us all a free will to choose as we will. Respect that Right, that God gave every man and woman. Lead by example, as Jesus did, so that everyone that we come in contact with will see Him in us. The Light is better than a judgmental spirit of condemnation without Hope. What would you rather be; a Self-Righteous Pharisee or a Courageous Meek-Loving Christian shining His Love and bringing Hope to all that He sends along our path. We are His Light in this Dark World. Go for it Lauren.