Pastor Mark’s Blog

“Is God Guilty of Hate Speech?”

Before I answer, let me raise an issue that might well get the God of the Bible canceled and stigmatized as a “hater”.  Of course, He is already getting “canceled” on a regular basis by our secular, “woke”, progressive culture.  But nonetheless, recent developments and an event that will soon encroach upon our own town is at hand, and God will not likely escape the indictment of “hate speech”.  For example, this October our town, with the blessings of the Chamber of Commerce and others, will celebrate “LGBT History Month” at the Performing Arts Center with the presentation of the “Rocky Horror Show”. Simply, this October there will be a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ communities though the 50th anniversary presentation of the “Rocky Horror Show” which is a musical about fluid sexualities and liberated identities.  This musical has been a favorite of the LGBT community as it utilizes glam rock and kitsch portrayals of Horror B movie themes from the 40’s to the 70’s.  “Pride Month” in June is about the ongoing fight for rights and protest.  But “LGBT History Month” (recognized by the NEA in 1995) promotes the belief that “queer history is to be shared, taught, and celebrated” as a significant movement that has contributed to the welfare of our nation.  Simply, there is a concerted effort through our local arts community, the Mountain Theatre Company, and leaders in our town to normalize what God opposes – and this is where the Lord’s “hate speech” is engaged.  

“Hate Speech” is defined as “any form of expression through which speakers intend to vilify, humiliate, or incite hatred against a group or persons on the basis of race, religion, skin color, sexual identity, ethnicity, disability, or national origin.” This has been the working definition from our universities all the way to the Supreme Court, but nonetheless protected by the First Amendment.  Based on that definition, God is guilty of hate speech but with one caveat.  First, God vilifies those of the LGBT community.  In His Holy Word He speaks ill of and slanders such sexual practices and lifestyles.  He calls them defiled, unholy, abominations, shameful, reprobates that have no place in His kingdom (Gen. 19; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:24-32; I Cor. 6:9-11, 17-20, 7:1-2; I Tim. 1:8-11; Jude 1:5-8). Now that’s hate speech!  Second, God humiliates them in demanding they humble themselves, acknowledge their sins and seek His forgiveness.  No words of tolerance or inclusiveness or acceptance.  They – and all sinners including myself – must bow and seek forgiveness (Matt. 4:17; Acts 17:30; Rom. 2:4; 3:23-26; 6:23; II Tim. 2:22-26; I Peter 1:13-21; 4:1-6; II Peter 2 & 3).  Simply, we have no righteousness or goodness in ourselves (Rom. 3:21-26) and we need God and not the god of self.  But the third phrase is the caveat – “incite hatred.”  Throughout His Word God speaks of His lovingkindness, His love for the lost, and His desire that none should perish in eternal judgment.  God doesn’t incite hatred, but rather warns and pleads for people to turn to Him before time expires and receive His love in Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:16; I Jn. 3).  

It is this love that inspires and invigorates me to preach the Word – to declare, “Thus saith the Lord.”  God doesn’t incite me to hatred, but a hatred of the sin and sinful lifestyles that are destroying people’s lives.  Nonetheless, based on the overall definition of “hate speech”, God is guilty!  He vilifies in His descriptions and humiliates sinners in calling on them to humble themselves and repent, but for the good of their eternal souls!  I too, am guilty of “hate speech” as delineated above.  I blend my voice with God’s through His Word in vilifying and calling people to repentance instead of celebrating their reprobation and abominations.  I cry out to the LGBT community and our community leaders who promote these aberrations of God’s Word and nature itself, and to turn from their sins and turn to the Lord! He doesn’t hate YOU and nor do I, but He does hate your sin and your celebration of these lascivious behaviors – and He says so.  God is guilty of “hate speech,” but God is also guilty of caring for all people’s souls!  (II Peter 3:9) 

-Dr. Mark Ford and the Membership of First Baptist Church, September 10, 2023