Alistair Begg, a renowned church leader and senior pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, recently discussed the issue of conversion therapy in Scotland. The Scottish government has received a letter from a group of church leaders expressing their concerns about a potential ban on conversion therapy. They fear that this ban could have a broad impact, potentially affecting the work of churches.
Begg emphasizes the need for churches to communicate their stance on these issues to their congregations and to demonstrate their teachings through their actions. He states that the Bible teaches a clear sexual ethic and that coercion, which is often associated with conversion therapy, is sinful and not Christian.
Begg argues that some people falsely accuse faithful Christian ministry of being coercive because they are influenced by media portrayals that often present a different viewpoint. He believes that Christians should be gracious and contending without being contentious, and that it's important for Christians to understand and uphold the teachings of the Bible.
In response to a hypothetical situation where conversion therapy is banned in Scotland, Begg states that Christians should be prepared to be judged by their own conscience in deciding whether to obey the law or God's commands. He also suggests that Christians should engage with their elected representatives, pointing out that such engagement can have a significant impact.
Lastly, Begg refers to Romans 1, where the Bible discusses the moral law being written on our hearts and how we suppress the truth. He argues that banning conversion therapy is a form of suppression of the truth.
1. Alistair Begg is a well-known figure known for his ministry at Parkside Church near Cleveland in Ohio, United States.
2. Begg has been the senior pastor at Parkside Church since 1983.
3. His ministry reaches out globally through the Truth For Life radio program and his many books.
4. Begg has been in Ministry at Charlotte Chapel in Edinburgh and also at a Hamilton Baptist Church before moving to the U.S.
5. Begg was born in Glasgow and studied at the London School of Theology.
6. There is an ongoing issue in Scotland regarding plans to ban conversion therapy.
7. Church leaders in Scotland are concerned about the potential impact of this ban on their work.
8. Begg believes that the first step in addressing this issue is to teach the congregation about the biblical sexual ethic.
9. He emphasizes that pastors should instruct their congregation and show by their actions that they stand for Christian values.
10. Begg believes that accusations of coercion against Christian Ministry are often false and are often made by those opposed to a view of humanity and the world that aligns with Christian theology.
11. He argues that Christians should be gracious and contending without being contentious, and that they have a responsibility to edify the Saints.
12. Begg believes that the Bible provides guidance on how Christians should respond to hostility towards their faith.
13. He believes that Christians should engage with politicians and influence their decisions, and that they have the opportunity to make a difference.
14. Begg argues that banning conversion therapy is a form of suppression of the truth, as it is written on our hearts.
15. He believes that Christians should be models in the culture, where people say that they hold certain views but are decent individuals.
16. Begg believes that Romans 1 talks about the moral law being written on our hearts and how we suppress the truth.
17. He suggests that banning conversion therapy is a suppression of the truth.