The news media carried the announcement of the "Rev." Mel White would be speaking Monday night (Oct. 20, 1997) at the Texas Tech Allen Theatre on a previously announced subject. The Allen Theatre is located smack in the center of this tax supported state university easily accessible to young men and women who attend Texas Tech University. Many of these students have been sent there by Christian parents to get a wholesome and beneficial education. The curriculum they are often exposed to is not always that which is conducive to the welfare of a Christian student. This is certainly true of the coming and conviction of Mr. White, yet he is openly accepted by the powers that be at TTU. It was announced that he would be speaking in the interest of homosexuals and lesbians.

The title of the front page article in the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (10-21-97, City Edition) did not altogether reveal the subject matter of "Rev." White's message. "White Spreads Message of Acceptance" read the bold headline at the beginning of the commentary reported by the A-J religion editor, Beth Pratt. However, the "Message of Acceptance" that Mr. White was spreading was a message that would not normally be expected of one who was identified by the news to be a Christian preacher. It was certainly not the message of accepting Jesus Christ as Savior or accepting the Word of the Creator God of the Bible (KJV). At least this was not referred to in the article. If it was mentioned in the address presented it would seem that the editor of religion would surely mention such a needed message. It was, nevertheless, a message of acceptance of the gay and lesbian lifestyle that Mr. White openly announced his participation in some four years ago on national television. According to this highly newsworthy scoop, "his former evangelical clients, who spurned his efforts to talk to them about how `their rhetoric (against homosexuality) spawns violence against gays and lesbians'." This seems to be Mr. White's missionary endeavor in life.

Through "a slip of the tongue" (no jest inferred) Mr. White acknowledge a meeting with Dr. Jerry Falwell, noted pastor and conference speaker, that was presumed would be kept secret. Just what this meeting was about was not revealed but one would hope that Dr. Falwell would try to show Mr. White the biblical error of the message he was spreading. He also needed to inform Mr. White that the cure for and deliverance from his sensual activity was not "slashing his wrist in despair" but the saving of his soul through repentance and faith.

Angie Dunlap, an activities adviser for the University Center on Texas Tech campus, seems to have helped make this visit from Mr. White possible. If Ms. Dunlap receives a salary comparable to other known directors at TTU, I personally resent my tax revenues being spent in this manner. However, how I feel about this is not the true core of this rotten apple. All I can do is express the truth and vote for morality and against immorality and continue preaching the biblical truth concerning the sin of homosexuality. Whether or not it will be accepted by the majority, morality is indeed a consequential issue in both local and national elections.

The column continued on pg. 11A with this secondary headline: "White Preaches Tolerance of Gay Christians." It is most distressing for me to even quote the placement of two words together that are so far apart by nature. If there was ever a misnomer in the English speaking world it is "Gay Christian." The word "gay" is used only once in the King James Version of the Bible, James 2:3, and denotes "radiance" in reference to clothing. It had nothing to do with so-called sexual orientation. The Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language, College Edition, copyright 1951-52-53- 57 gives this definition of "gay": "1. Joyous and lively; merry; happy; light-hearted. 2. Bright; brilliant; as, gay colors. 3. Given to social life and pleasures: as, a gay life; hence, 4. Wanton; licentious." The worse to be said about "gay" in the 50s was that it could be a disregarding of accepted rules and standards. Somewhere between the 50s and the present another definition has been added to modern day dictionaries.

What a sad commentary on our society today that this kind of sensual activity has rewritten the dictionary. Contemporary dictionaries have now added yet another definition for "gay": "a homosexual." Now those who have rewritten the dictionary and identify themselves openly as "Gay Christians" seem to have the propensity to rewrite the Bible concerning their activity. They are getting an abundance of help from the publishers of the new bible versions. Especially is this true of the New International Version of the Bible (see "A Lesbian and the NIV" and "The NIV Feminist Bible", both by E. L. Bynum, Plains Baptist Challenger, May 1997). They are also getting additional help from the entertainment segment of our sin ridden society (see "Sickening Sin of Sodomy", by Dean Robinson, from the same publication).

Although Mr. White may spread his "Message of Acceptance" and preach "Tolerance of Gay Christians," the God of the Bible and His Son do not share in his enthusiasm. This message falls into the category of "another gospel" that Paul warns the church at Galatia about. "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed" (Gal. 1:8). In the preceding verse Paul warned of those who perverted the gospel of Christ for their own benefit. There were those who corrupted the Word and message of God then and such have multiplied exceedingly more in comparison to the growth of the world population. Paul was very definite when speaking about the Gospel of Christ. He declared it and it alone to be the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16). He did not leave the reader of the book of Romans in doubt about those who needed this gospel of deliverance. He declared that "the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness" (Rom. 1:17,18). "Hold" in this verse means to "hold back" by unrighteous activities. Descriptive, undeniable language is used in identifying the "ungodliness and unrighteousness of men" referred to in this letter. "Men" in this verse is translated from the Greek word "anthropos" and means man-faced. Our English word anthropology developed from this Greek word and is defined as the "science of the origin, culture, and development of human beings." Paul is referring to both genders as is clearly evident in the following verses of this chapter in Romans.

It has already been noted that God's righteousness is "revealed from faith to faith" and that and His wrath is "revealed from Heaven." Both are revealed in His inspired Word, "not by the will of man (Gr. anthropos above): but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (II Pet. 1:21). Mr. White is preaching a message according to the "will of man." It is a gospel that is entirely opposite to the Word from heaven spoken by "holy men of God" who were "moved by the Holy Ghost". These holy men were moved to write the message not only of God's love but also of His wrath against sin. Listen to Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ (I Tim. 1:1). Paul describes in heaven-sent language the condition of those that Mr. White defends and calls "Gay Christians" (Rom. 1:21-23). These speak of God as though they know Him yet they glorify Him not as God and are not thankful for His deliverance from sin. They profess to be wise but become fools by saying His heaven-sent message is not applicable today in our enlightened world. They defiantly change the glory of the "uncorrutible God" into an image to their liking. As a result of their insistence to have their own way in sin God has given them up to uncleanness as they dishonor their own bodies between themselves. Not only is it not an acceptable alternate lifestyle it is a sinful and degrading act of debauchery that is second to none. Changing the truth of God's genuine love and relationship between man and woman into a lie, they worship and serve the creature more than the Creator (Rom. 1:24-25).

The sad outcome of this putrid moral condition is not included in "Rev." White's message, and very likely all other scriptural truth is avoided. However, it is included in the message of the true man of God as he faithfully preaches the Word of God sent from heaven. Read Romans 1:26,27 where Paul defines clearly the end result of a continued homosexual lifestyle. God gave them up to their own lust. This may seem exactly what the gay/lesbian individual would desire. Yet there are extenuating circumstances that are definitely less than desirable. God has given them up to "vile affections". Their heaven described values reek with indignity, disgrace, dishonor, and reproach. Try as Mr. White and others will, in the end every tongue will confess that the Judge of all the earth is right and must do right even in regard to the sin of homosexuality. God's word plainly declares that lesbians change the natural use into that which is against nature (Rom. 1:26). "Rev." White conveniently left out this segment of Holy Scripture. Also that the homosexual man, including "Rev." White, has left the natural use of the woman, and burned in their lust one toward another, working that which is indecent and inconvenient (Rom. 1:27). The Religion Editor of the LAJ informs her readers that Mr. White has "struggled with his attraction to men since he was 12." What 35 years of worldly wisdom called therapy could not cure could be cured through repentance, confession and turning from sin, and trust in Jesus Christ. Yet Mr. White made the choice to openly admit his condition to man and no longer be ashamed of his sin. God has given such over to a reprobate mind, unapproved of by God, to do those acts which are not considered convenient.

Why would anyone with such a vile message be allowed to speak in a university of higher learning which at least in part is funded by real Christian taxpayers? Why would it be allowed anywhere else in a God established nation? All nations are established by God and for Him. "When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel" (Deut. 32:8). Israel above all other nations were given divine laws to govern them both civilly and morally. God was very clear to them concerning sexual immorality. He declared there would be no whore allowed among the daughters of Israel nor a sodomite among their sons (Deut. 23:17). Every other nation on earth would do well to follow the same moral and civil law given by God to Israel. When Israel strayed from these commandments of God and accepted the sodomites of the land they were to occupy, they soon were robbed of the treasures of the house of God (I Kings 14:24-26). What a parallel to the path which society has taken in our beloved U. S. A. With the top appointed lawyer of the land being an avowed lesbian and congress saturated with homosexual sympathizers what can be expected other than God's impending judgment. It is no real surprise that the most abhorrent sexually transmitted disease called AIDS is more prevalent among homosexuals than any other group. AIDS is as surely a judgment of God as the fire that fell from heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah.

God gives a clear answer to the problem of any moral departure from divine law. Turn around! Call upon the God of the Bible! (2 Chron. 7:14) "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." Our nation was established upon Christianity, but it was not a "Gay Christianity," it was a rejoicing Christianity! I wondered as I read the article in the LAJ how many so-called clergy in Lubbock, Texas were in sympathy with Mr. White's conviction. As I write this article a group of "local clergy will serve on a panel at 12:30 p.m. today in the UC Senate Room for a discussion of what it means to be gay and Christian in Lubbock." It means the same thing in Lubbock as it did in Israel or anywhere else in history--an abomination before God that is sure to bring down the wrath of Almighty God.

There is little doubt in my mind that the "Rev." White will be lauded for his courage. Let me tell you what would really be courageous. For some God called Baptist preacher to have opportunity for a rebuttal message tonight in the same Texas Tech Allen Theatre. Of course that will never happen, not because there could not be found a Baptist preacher that would do so (though there may be few), but because it would not be allowed. I doubt that Activities Adviser Angie Dunlap, would even give it consideration. Nor can I imagine that any LAJ Religion Editor would be there other than to express a prejudiced view.

A phone call made to the Allen Theatre to determine who was responsible for obtaining Mr. White's services is revealing. Ms. Dunlap, an adviser of a student group at Texas Tech sponsoring this activity, returned my call a few hours later. This group was obviously contacted by Mr. White's agency for an opportunity to speak. This was submitted to the activities adviser for approval which they received. The fee paid to Mr. White to appear and speak at Allen Theatre was $3,700.00, according to Ms. Dunlap. I inquired about the source of the fee. Some of this fee came from ticket sales. I could not determine through the conversation exactly about the rest. I leave it up to you to decide who payed the balance if any. The LAJ article said "about 500" attended. I wonder if that is ministerially speaking? The fee included his airfare both ways and the remainder was obviously for Mr. White's speaking operations. The a fore mention Baptist preacher with godly, biblical convictions, if allowed to speak at Allen Theatre, would very likely received less remuneration. And certainly less media coverage unless it was of a derogatory nature.

Sodomy has always been a sin that was and is waiting for the judgment of God. Mr. White's message: "...to tell gays and lesbians that God loves them just as they are." The Bible message: "There shall be no sodomite among the sons of Israel." There is an obvious absence of scripture usage in the LAJ article and very likely in any other message of "Rev." White. Yet in the final judgment the Word of God will be used and not the words of "Rev." White. Dear God, save our nation from the sin of sodomy.