It’s funny how we come to relate to artists, most of whom we never personally meet. We read their books, enjoy their films, or celebrate their music, and 
somehow feel we DO know them. We cheer their achievements, worry over their trials, and mourn their suffering. So it is, when I learned that Christian singer Jennifer Knapp recently admitted in an interview with Christianity Today to being a practicing lesbian, I was heartbroken.
You see, my family loves Jennifer Knapp. We own all her CD’s and saw her in concert once. In fact, during my daughter Melody’s turbulent teenage years, Ms. Knapp’s Kansas album was a source of inspiration for that struggling youngster. No surprise, when Melody got married, I walked her down the aisle to a Jennifer Knapp song. So when the musician went on sabbatical 7 years ago, we were all bummed, and a little confused. And since we heard of her return, we have been eager to dive back in.
And then the admission that she was gay.
As you can expect, there’s lotsa ink and tons of controversy. Sides being drawn. Positions being re-stated. There’s the obligatory calls for repentance and/or dis-fellowship. Hmm. And, of course, there’s those who are celebrating Knapp’s coming out. After all, she was made that way, so why not be honest about it, right? Then the discussion moves into the Christian market phase. Can the album be considered Christian? Will she be playing Christian concerts? And on and on.
Frankly, I’m still too numb to go there.
I always ask a simple question of those who approve of, or are just indifferent toward, same-sex relationships. If you could have a choice, would you rather want your child in a heterosexual or a homosexual relationship? 9 out of 10 times the people I ask confess they would rather have their child choose a heterosexual relationship. And the ones who don’t usually stand by their guns as a matter of principle, not preference.
Why is this? Why do most people agree that heterosexuality is better? Is it just because same-sex relationships are still stigmatized? Or is there a deeper, more obvious reason?
“We all stumble in many ways,” said the apostle James (Jam. 3:2). I know I stumble in many ways. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” said that ex-Pharisee (Rom. 3:23). Again, I concur. The reason I’m sad for Jennifer Knapp is not because she is admitting to have “stumbled” or “fallen short.” That I can handle. Rather, her confession is a concession to live there, to stop the struggle.
No, I don’t hate Jennifer Knapp. Disappointed, sad maybe. But I can’t judge her relationship with God or make some pronouncement about her salvation. I’m glad she is making music again and, once the smarting resides, will probably buy her album. But, dear Jen, as one of your long-time fans, please know: today you took a piece of my heart with you…
The Bible does not condemn Homsexuality. It condemns the pagan practices of the Canaanites that involved Anal Sex. And the Rape of Stranger to show dominance over them committed by Sodom. And more Anal sex rituals committed in Rome.
Condemnation of Homsexuality is a Platonic idea infected into Christianity by Gnostics heretics, chief among them being Augustine, the same man who was the architect of Amilenialim, allegorizing Genesis to deny Creation, and Calvinism.
Go Jennifer! I’m sure it’s not a surprise but just want you to know there are followers of Christ who are proud to count you among us!