In the previous print issue of July 24, 2015, the lead story headline “MC Council speaks out on ‘same sex marriage’ was followed on the back page with “On Same Sex Marriages T D Jakes said:” We apologise sincerely to all parties concerned and our readers, as the story that followed was about what Pastor Joe Wright said. “Caption should have been: “On Same Sex Marriages Pastor Joe Wright said.” What followed but the observations, inquiries, complaints calls, for all of which we thank our readers, some inquired as to what if anything, Pastor T D Jakes said.
There has been no feedback from the TMR website which has far more readers globally than regionally, in fact over 85 countries, but Facebook which reaches deep into the Diaspora and in Montserrat. Here a some reaction to the story:
John Wells Strange that Pastor MacFarlane and the MCC entirely fail to mention the fact that equal marriage (same-sex marriage) has been legalized in the UK, too — which is surely more relevant to M’rat than the decision of the US Supreme Court.
Harvey Edgecombe Also she doesn’t seem to know that the US constitution is based on seperation of church and state
Hilary Dyett There are 21 countries where same-sex marriage is now legal, including the UK and Ireland. The Dutch government legalised it way back in 2000. So – is pastor’s rant relevant?
We have been critical and have been calling on the MCC (Montserrat Christian Council) which represents most of the Churches (Christian denominations) on Montserrat to come out and speak on issues. We therefore welcome comments from the MCC on any issue whether it affects Montserrat directly or not. The reasons are obvious, especially if we say, we should not misunderstand, this matter of ‘Church and State’.
So, following is what TD Jakes did say, sometime ago, and reactions coming out of the USA and other parts of the Caribbean, Churches.
Bishop T.D. Jakes Addresses Supreme Court Gay Marriage Decision: ‘We Shouldn’t Lose Our Minds Over the World Being the World’
The Potter’s House Pastor Says He’s More Concerned With Issues of Religious Freedom Than Same-Sex Marriage
By Nicola Menzie , Christian Post Reporter
Excerpted:
Bishop T.D. Jakes downplayed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end state bans on same-sex marriage during a worship service at his Texas megachurch on Sunday, saying that the issue was not his primary concern.
Bishop T.D. Jakes, founding pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, remarks on the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage during a service on Sunday, June 28, 2015.
“I’m not really as concerned about this as a lot of people are,” said Jakes during service on Sunday, according to a video excerpt of his remarks published online. “I’m really not as concerned about it. I think that we should not lose our mind about the world being the world and the Church being the Church. This is not a news flash. The world is gonna be the world and the Church is gonna be the Church, and you have to understand the difference.”
“The Supreme Court is there to make a decision based on constitutional rights and legalities that fit all Americans. They are not debating Scripture,” he said, which led to applause from the congregation.
“They are just not debating Scripture,” Jakes repeated. “I guarantee you that they were not in there looking at Romans 1 and First Corinthians this and weighing it against the policies.”
“We have bought into all this rhetoric about America being a Christian nation,” Jakes said.
“But what we do need to watch is that our religious freedom is also respected and protected so that we don’t have to get caught up in the winds of the world and go the way the world is going,” Jakes added. “So we need to watch that as we grapple with an ever-changing society, and our society is becoming more and more pluralistic.”
“There’s nothing to say that Christianity will be the dominant religion in this country. I hope it will. It’s up to us,” he added, going on to say that Christians have “stopped witnessing” and “stopped winning souls” and continue to isolate themselves from people who do not “believe like we believe.”
“Jesus said go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every living creature.”
“So we need to change as a Church too. We need to start reaching out to all types of people and preaching to them and ministering to them and sharing our faith with them. I don’t mean on Sunday morning. I mean in the mall, I mean in the grocery store, I mean while you’re getting your hair done. It’s time for you to be a real Christian. I mean a real Christian, and win people to Jesus Christ. And you can start in your own house,” Jakes admonished his flock and the countless others watching the service via livestream.
Jakes, 58, rounded up his remarks by informing worshippers that “God is still in control” and giving them a stern warning about God’s judgement.
“The Supreme Court makes its decisions based on the Constitution, debating the constitutionality of any particular issue. But I must warn you, God does not judge you by the Constitution. He judges you by the Word of God. So while the Supreme Court is looking at the Constitution, you better search the Scriptures …,” Jakes said.
Holding up his Bible, he added, “This blessed old book is still good, it’s still right anyhow.”
