Australian opposition leader calls Christian beliefs "an abomination"

The Bible is very clear on God’s position concerning homosexuality and abortion. It should be no surprise to anybody that a church which honours God’s Word as inerrant and infallible commits to teaching a Biblical worldview. Yet, we now have a succession of politicians who express surprise and exasperation that the modern church dares to teach the truth of God’s Word.

The latest politician to play theologian is Australia’s opposition leader, Peter Dutton. Speaking of the recent uproar concerning Andrew Thorburn’s resignation from the Essendon Football Club over his Biblical beliefs, Dutton said this in a recent interview with Sky News Australia, “The views that have been expressed by a pastor at this church in relation to gay people, or to the issue of abortion – they’re an abomination and I condemn those points that have been made by that particular pastor.”

Dutton’s statement was issued in response to comments made by a pastor at the church ‘City on a Hill’ which affirmed the violent dehumanisation of abortion on demand by saying: “As today, we look back at the brutality of concentration camps and racially inspired violence, so future generations will look back at our day with disgust at the brutality taking place in our clinics: legalised, state-sponsored execution." Second, he affirmed a longstanding teaching on sex and marriage: “Lust is a sin, sex outside of marriage is a sin, practising homosexuality is a sin….”

Mr Dutton identifies as a Christian, but it would appear that Mr Dutton has fallen victim to the age-old problem of politicians deciding to run with the cultural winds instead of following the teaching of the Word. In doing so, he has adopted a policy position which puts him squarely at odds with God, all for the sake of a few votes. As it appears that both major political parties in Australia have adopted similar ideological positions concerning these matters, Christians will be looking for politicians to vote for at upcoming elections who hold views consistent with those detailed in the Word of God.

It is a sad fact that woke corporations and politicians are now using their coercive power to force Christians to abandon their beliefs, all for the sake of diversity, inclusion and equality. No coincidence then that the acronym for diversity, inclusion and equality is 'DIE’, for that is what the movement represents – the desired death of Biblical Christianity and the rise of a liberal Christianity which is all grace and no truth. The church does not exist as an echo chamber for culture. The church is the Bride of Christ and God’s witness on the earth. Our commission is not to affirm cultural beliefs but to preach the good news – that Jesus came to seek and to save the lost, to die for our sins on the cross and to shed His blood so that we may receive forgiveness and reconciliation with God.

Many Christians are no longer allowing God’s Word to be the authority. Instead, many (including some pastors) are exalting man’s fallible word over Scripture. What we need in this age are pastors and believers who will commit to standing boldly, uncompromisingly and unashamedly on all that the Word of God teaches from the very first verse to the very last verse. If we are to contend earnestly for the faith, we need to have the courage to stand against false teaching, both that which exists within the church and within culture.

As C T Studd said: “To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses.