This is my second article in Christian Today this week. They asked me to write about Keir Starmer’s astonishing volte face re his visit to the Jesus House church. I threw in Boris Johnson’s Easter comments for good measure. It’s not disconnected with the first – Lessons for today from Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World -CT I
Sir Keir Starmer’s apology only reveals the intolerance of our so-called ‘diverse’ society – CT
Sir Keir Starmer has committed a terrible sin – he has blasphemed by visiting a place where one of the most sacred doctrines of today’s secular society is not believed. But concerned readers need not worry – before he was dragged off to the stake, the fearless leader of the Labour Party has acknowledged his sin and repented. There is much rejoicing in Guardianista land over the one sinner who repents!
A Great Photo Op
For those who don’t know, Sir Keir visited Jesus House, a large church belonging to one of the biggest denominations in the UK – the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), a Black Majority Church with some 850 congregations.
But not simply a church, these past few months Jesus House has been a vaccination centre exerting an undeniable influence over one of the groups that seems most reluctant to take the vaccine. Who better to encourage vaccination among the black population?
It therefore ought to have been a great ‘safe’ photo op – no one could doubt his commitment to the vaccine, the community, the poor and fighting racism.
A Great Church
I went on to the Jesus House website to find out what they were up to. Apart from a thoroughly enjoyable and Christ centred Easter service an impressive 92 hours long, I noted that they are involved in debt counselling, a hotline for victims of domestic violence, 21 days of prayer, a French service, a prison ministry, a foodbank, hospital visits, Christmas lunch on Jesus, banquets for older people, home maintenance tasks for vulnerable residents in the community and much more. It is impressive.
So why did Starmer feel compelled to apologise? Because as well as believing the Bible and doing all these good works, Jesus House also believe what Jesus teaches about sex and sexuality – which is what Pastor Agu Irukwu and his congregation clearly do. They believe what Jesus says about marriage being between a man and a woman, which in today’s world is enough to have them condemned and sent to secular purgatory.
A Great Fuss
The LGBT activists in Labour declared that Starmer’s visit was unacceptable, and Starmer then deleted the video of his visit and issued the following apology: “I completely disagree with Jesus House’s beliefs on LGBT+ rights, which I was not aware of before my visit. I apologise for the hurt my visit caused and have taken down the video. It was a mistake and I accept that.”
A Great Hurt
But now Keir Starmer has a lot more questions to answer. For a start, if he is worried about hurt, then will he apologise for the enormous hurt he has caused to the tens of thousands of black and minority ethnic people who belong to the Redeemed Christian Church of God? What about other Christians? Or in the ‘hurt’ game, is it only privileged groups who get to play that card? (You can read more about my thoughts on this question here.)
Will Keir Starmer be consistent? The Catholic church, evangelical churches, the Church of England and the Orthodox Church all hold to the same teaching as Jesus House. Will Starmer not visit any of these anymore? What about Islam? Will Keir Starmer no longer visit mosques, given the Islamic teaching about same-sex marriage and homosexuality?
The stench of hypocrisy from the Corbynistas in the Labour party is overwhelming – they fanatically followed a man who ‘visited’ and supported Hamas – an organisation whose policies on homosexuality are many times more severe than Jesus House. Yet they demand Starmer recant and repent for even visiting.
Sir Keir’s apology was an act of cowardice, intolerance, and stupidity. Did he not think that a Christian church would teach what Jesus teaches? And he is condemning them for doing so? All their good work is negated just because they do not share his particular beliefs about sex and sexuality? Can you get any more dogmatic than that? Or was he just giving into the ideologues in his own party? What kind of leadership is that?
A Great Cultural Imperialism
There is also more than a whiff of Western liberal imperialism and racism about Starmer’s position. He undoubtedly visited a Black Majority Church because it would look good, but he now condemns that church for teaching the Bible.
The fact is that Western liberals tend to think (though they dare not say) that most Africans are a bit less enlightened and not so far down the progressive road as they are. There is a condescension and patronising attitude of (largely white) Western liberals, which suggests that once Africans accept Western (white) ‘liberal’ values, then they will be truly ‘equal’ and deserve their place at the table.
A Great Easter Message?
Boris Johnson has also visited the Jesus House church – and so far, he is not backing down and apologising – although his spokesperson was keen to stress his pro-LGBT credentials. He too shared his Easter message: “If there is one thing that British Christians have shown us is that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life, not just today but every day.”
Many Christians were delighted at this, but we need to stop and think. Is the Prime Minister really saying that Jesus is The way, the truth and the life? It would be quite astonishing if that were the case! If he believed that then why declare Jesus is Lord, but not do what he says? No, he is quoting the Bible in the same way he quotes the Greek classics. It’s a soundbite, a form of pleasing but empty words. Like Starmer and other politicians, the PM is happy to patronise the churches when we do good works, and tell us what he thinks we would like to hear, but unlike those Jesus spoke of, he won’t praise our Father in Heaven. Christians should not be taken in by visits or kind words. By their fruit you shall know them.
A Great Church
Returning to the RCCG. I first came across them almost 20 years ago when I noticed two black preachers in Dundee City Square being accosted by a couple of white soldiers who had returned from Afghanistan. I joined in with and defended my black brothers, and together we proclaimed Christ. Many years later the pastor of the RCCG (one of the preachers) turned up at my church and asked if I would like to come and preach in his. He never forgot that we stood together. I did and it was a joy.
Christians throughout the UK need to stand against the intolerance, spinelessness and hatred of a culture which does not want us to belong to their ‘diverse’ society and does not think we are equal.We will carry on loving, serving the poor and caring for all. But we won’t bow the knee to the idols of our culture, or stop following Jesus Christ. If people want to hear about diversity and equality, they can listen to the politicians or read about it in the media. If they want to see it, they can come to church! And they don’t need to repent for doing so!
The recent prosecution ofJulie Hambleton in Birmingham show what sort of daft silliness reigns in the UK.
I guess black lives don’t matter so much when they aren’t toeing the woke party line.
The weakness of our politicians and corporate executives on these issues is now the norm and sadly expected. We are continually told we are living in an equal and tolerant society but that is being divorced from reality. Christianity is treated with intolerance and hatred.
Christian leaders and organisations need to speak up for the truth of the Bible and do it all with care and compassion to help brighten up the darkness.
Off-topic: Today’s woke rubbish is on an understandably emotional topic but I happen to know a little bit about this subject and the Federal Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud, is absolutely correct:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-08/us-ban-commercial-shooting-kangaroo-leather-football-boots/100050994
The American boycotters and wildlife activists are, unfortunately, going to do a lot more harm than good if they get their way. 🙁
Off-topic 2:
WW3 a step closer:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-08/taiwan-will-defend-itself-to-the-very-last-day-if-china-attacks/100054768
To its credit, the ABC actually includes a Christian in a discussion on diversity and tolerance in the workplace for once, though it would have to be someone from an extremist group which doesn’t believe in television or travel:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-04-08/duleesha-was-asked-to-change-her-name/100053682
https://www.christiantoday.com/article/christian.labour.mp.stephen.timms.defends.jesus.house.over.lgbt.backlash/136626.htm
with predictable results
What is interesting is he is fine with taking the knee but not being an ally to black people in this other section of the black community. This epitomises the culture we are in BLM care about some black lives, but not the black lives of their political opponents. I propose not saying that “all lives matter” but “all black lives matter”.
You are right of course in your conclusion about hurt David, and no concern being shown for the hurt of this congregation.
As a white middle aged male with dyslexia, there is no concern shown for the hurt at an institutional level that I experienced recently with inappropriate comments made about my dyslexia leading to me experiencing work related stress to the point of being unfit for work. My MSP is involved now as the institution where I was studying now wishes to charge me tuition fees for the full year in spite of this and the support member of staff there agreeing with me that the college has failed to meet the standards it claims to adhere to of diversity where every student is entitled to learn in relaxed environment. So what is there to do other than take my peace back and choose to be be where and with whom I am welcomed and listened to?
I’m not saying this to be pitied, but to say that this is not about black lives or white lives, young lives or old lives, male lives or female lives but politics. It’s a nasty game of control and power no different the Jewish teachers of the Law in the times of Jesus motivated by being seated in high places, being greeted in the marketplace and being called “teacher”.
But truth is freeing, love never fails and hurt can be healed from. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and if you are hated because of Christ then great is your reward in heaven. I can only imagine the Redeemed Christian Church of God becoming stronger in Christ because of this slur on them.
It’s a blessing in disguise David for their church for Kier Starmer to have made his “apology”. If they are wise, they will wear it as a badge of honour and turn this around for good.
So much for woke *intersectionalitity*.
The writing is on the wall:
“Mene, Mene, tekle, eupharsin”
Intolerance is not Christian :
https://pjmedia.com/uncategorized/matt-margolis/2021/04/07/best-selling-devotional-has-prayer-to-help-me-to-hate-white-people-n1438103
Alistair, irony as a call for repentance, of course, would never occur to you??
Nor would inability to spell a Scottish name.
Alastair, my apologies
Thank you for the apology , gratefully accepted.
Why are any of us shocked. With each day passing, the kingdom of the Lord draws ever nearer. This is simply another reminder that we all need to bow the knee, keep our accounts with the Lord tight, repent Daily and dig deeper into the word.
There is coming a time when the woke liberal masses will be stringing Christians and Jews up in the streets. We have all read of the white robed martyrs in the book of revelation. The darkest time in history is about to begin. Remember the destination and persevere brethren!🙏🙏🙏
Excellent article David. I don’t like to spoil the general tone of this excellent article so please reply privately rather than publish this if you prefer.
I understand that RCCG is a rather extreme Pentecostal/Charismatic and for example, it strongly encourages a firstfruits tithe of the January salary, even if it puts people into debt.
http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2020/01/03/refuting-the-first-fruit-error/
I hope WeaFlea will look further into the RCCG, as I’ve just had disturbing information confirming what Peter Ratcliff states above that this organisation is virtually a cult involved in false doctrine & teaching & practice, as well as “heavy shepherding”.
Christian Today also seems a bit ambivalent about LGBTQ in the past, having had articles supporting same. RCCG is also part of the “Word Faith” movement, which states the more you give to the church the richer God will make you, and some of their partner churches discriminate against whites as they are not truly “integrated”. Yours in Christ, David Woolley.
Thank you so much, David, for this article & linked articles. It was sent by a dear brother in Christ at just the right time. I have been increasingly despondent at the Church’s lack of meaningful response to the “conditioning” to being increasingly “controlled” by the State, and have very much felt a “lone voice” crying in the wilderness. Praise the Lord for this encouragement which is very timely. May our Lord Jesus continue to bless & keep you, & guard & guide you in His Way, David Woolley, Malton, North Yorkshire.
“The stench of hypocrisy from the Corbynistas in the Labour party is overwhelming – they fanatically followed a man who ‘visited’ and supported Hamas – an organisation whose policies on homosexuality are many times more severe than Jesus House. Yet they demand Starmer recant and repent for even visiting.”
Really David
As a Roman Catholic ex-” Corbynista” ex-Labour member I find the inflammatory, uncharitable, bigotted and deliberately polarising nature of your political comments cringeworthy.
You let yourself down!
What exactly are you trying to achieve by attempting to smear huge swathes of people like this?
You need to get your self-righteous anger under control and start representing Christ as a pastor should!
The question is whether this is true. Did Corbyn support Hamas? Do Hamas punish homosexuality? Was Keir Starmer forced to apologise for visiting a Church which holds to a traditional view on marriage or not? Can you square the circle of supporting Hamas but attacking the Church? It is hypocritical.
I accept that you disagree – but please don’t start name calling or judging motives when you do. I hope I am not speaking out of ‘self-righteous anger’. Disagreeing with you is not being anti-Christ! Speaking of Christ, he would of course never smear ‘hugh swathes of people’ would he?!
Loved your books.
Wish I hadn’t checked out your website as you seem to enjoy the kind of bigoted political conflict which breeds only hatred and division, which I usually avoid like the plague.
This comes from Satan, not God.
Hi Meg – thanks for writing. I would appreciate if you would let me know anything I have written which is ‘bigoted political conflict’. I don’t enjoy that and would hate to be part of it – so any correction gratefully accepted. I certainly don’t want to write anything from Satan – so please do let me know what I have written which comes from Satan (that’s quite a strong charge to make – not impossible of course – even Peter was accused of being used by Satan!)…I would be grateful for some examples.
Great article. Wonderful that you spoke at a RCCG congregation. RCCG & Agu Irukwu are superb & he has spoken much biblical wisdom on racism & other topics.
Agu spoke very well in an online talk about racism with Pete Hughes the pastor @ London’s KXC congregation where I worship. Agu starts about 19 minutes in – but the whole piece is worth a listen. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SpcYTZicYhQ&list=PLoY6vgW1-Qdlh0TsLyoSgbZCRIzF_GA8Y&index=5