Jon Foreman, lead singer of Christian band Switchfoot, is on a promotional tour to hype up his solo project “The Wonderlands.” He begins a concert tour for the album in August. Known for playing secular venues and dodging the “Christian artist” label, he is popular in both Christian and secular music worlds. As part of the promotional tour, Foreman recently did an interview with NGEN Radio, a Christian music station in the Houston, Texas area that plays to a younger audience with Christian hip hop and upbeat Christian pop tunes.
Foreman’s morning show interview with NGEN’s DJ, Carder, was on the heels of the infamous Supreme Court decision on gay marriage. Carder proceeded to ask the singer his thoughts on all the back and forth heated arguments surrounding that decision. He seemed a little guarded and hesitant about how to answer the question, then slowly and methodically gave his opinion on the subject, which is paraphrased by me since I didn’t record it and couldn’t find any online source to directly quote it. Foreman acknowledged that this issue, like so many others, serves to polarize and divide society. He went on to say that it’s unfortunate that people are quick to draw their lines over it and that he is the type of person who feels you have to be willing to hear all sides and get different opinions of those who may not agree with your own opinion so you can better understand why they believe as they do. Foreman then concluded by saying that Christians should be listening and loving towards others.
Nowhere in the snippet of the broadcast interview did Foreman state what the Bible actually says on sexual relationships, nor did he criticize or even condemn the idea of gay “marriage.” Is it really necessary to openly consider all sides when God’s word is as clear as black and white on real marriage? Was Foreman’s answer just a mushy middle answer to avoid offending anyone? Could it have been an answer given out of fear of men because it could affect his popularity and livelihood? In the snippet, he never revealed where he really stood on the issue. But if you were to read the Bible from cover-to-cover, it is crystal clear without question what all of God’s people thought about marriage–whether prophet, priest, king, apostle, or regular commoner. And wherever a society in the Bible, including Israel, was on its way down and out, the issues that negatively affected God’s view of the family (like all forms of fornication) were part of the problem.
All in all, Foreman’s handling of the question made me question where his heart really is. I wasn’t surprised considering how most popular in-the-spotlight “Christians” tend to be.
And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 1 Kings 18:21
…know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4
sunandshield.wordpress.com 
Is it really necessary to rip this guy apart simply because he wasn’t dogmatic on this issue? Jon has done a lot to help ministries and spread the gospel. Cut him some slack already.
LikeLike
We’re living in times where it’s time to let our yea be yea and our nay be nay. In other words, because socialists like our President seek to divide and conquer our nation for the New World Order, Christians will not have the luxury of straddling fences. German evangelicals discovered that the hard way as Hitler took over after WWI. I’m not one of those Christians who believes in sacred cows. If someone who calls themselves Christian dismisses God’s word, I’ll call them out without regard to their perceived status.
Because of the times we’re in, we as evangelicals need to encourage each other to do right by God whenever the opportunity arises. Hebrews 3:12-13 commands us, “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Jon Foreman was presented with the perfect opportunity as a Christian to exhort his brothers and sisters to stand on the Lord’s side, but he pulled a “Joel Osteen” to avoid a firm stance that would have encouraged believers, especially younger ones who are into him and Switchfoot and who tend toward accepting fornication (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 to see how serious fornication is).
When people are faced with ungodly obstacles, all too often they “lament for a little while then they acquiesce,” as is pointed out recently by a sheriff in this article discussing the Supreme Court’s ungodly decision. This article points out how the Supreme Court laid the foundation for the ungodly to take further actions against Christians and their churches with this decision. Sorry, but cutting Foreman and others like him some slack is what got us in this mess in the first place because of their haste to compromise and sidestep God’s clear directives.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you–who are you to judge your neighbor?” – James 4:12
“All in all, Foreman’s handling of the question made me question where his heart really is.” – not God?
…
In the words of Jon Foreman, I think you need to “put your God-Badge down, and love someone.”
Just some advice from a sinner who loves Jesus ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Psalm 119:136
LikeLike
Perfect scripture, Susan. Thanks for pointing it out. The whole situation does make me want to cry.
LikeLike
I agree with this Blog that when put on the mic to make it known if for or against, that you should be brave and stand firm in your beliefs. I also agree that there is a time and a place. It came to my mind reading this blog and the comments, the message of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. I have heard this message preached in different situations. One that stands out to me in this particular moment, is when my Pastor made a very good point that I think relates to this situation. We all know the story of the three brave men who were faithful and brave enough to take a stand against the king’s law to bow before his gold statue. And we all know about how they were thrown into the fire furnace and came out alive. How the king saw them and the Son of God with them, showing the king that God is and the Only. My point is that Daniel from Daniel and the lions’ den, was present through all this too, yet he was not standing with the other three…did this make Daniel less of a follower of Christ?
More of the point that I am trying to make is, that God places in our hearts specific times that He wants us to stand up for Christ and let it be known who we follow and why. Maybe this Blog is right and this was a moment for the singer to take advantage and speak up, but only God knows His plan for this singer. If this singer is singing for the Lord and sings for the world, maybe he is being used to draw those who are not so brave to make a stand, a glimpse of light. To each their own and we all have our paths. Pray and give thanks to the Lord. We have our voice and blogs that we are blessed to use to make our stands. 🙂
LikeLike
Shan,
Thanx for sharing your perspective on this.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am a new blogger, so I don’t want to be to forward lol. I enjoy talking with others about Christ! I hope to be encouraged and encourage others! You can never discuss too much! Thank you for responding 🙂
LikeLike
2 Timothy
4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
LikeLike
You’re probably the type of person he’s singing about in “I hate all your show. ” Get off your righteous pedastel, and quit telling others how to think and speak. I’m certain he’s brought more people to Christ with his love than you can ever dream of with your opinionated judgemental “ministry.”
LikeLike
I see so much double standard in your comment. You’re already judging him being in his “righteous pedestal” for being an opinionated and judging Jon Forman, and maybe judging Harry for not bringing souls to Christ. You don’t know that!
LikeLike
There’s a difference between “Is homosexuality a sin?” and “Should the Supreme Court decide that gay couples can be legally married?”
Which exactly was Jon asked?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was asked his thoughts on the debate over the Supreme Court’s decision but sidestepped the question to criticize Christians. He didn’t want to offend his gay coworkers, friends or fans based on how he answered so he took the easy way out to criticize Christians.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Harry, you write in your post that you do not remember his answer, and paraphrased it, and that the question regarded the ruling of the SC on homosexuality. You are judging the man, undermining him because he didn’t respond as you think he should have done, etc.
I have no idea what was said on the radio. Regarding the issue, though, I’ll say this. I have gay co-workers and a gay boss, so I actually have to live in the world where things happen and where we are tested. It’s not my daily or weekly or monthly duty to inform these co-workers of mine that their lives are utterly contemptuous to God. The church is to act as a gracious guide to those who follow Jesus. The church does not, in my opinion, exist for the purpose of enforcing its ethics through government institutions. The issue is far more complicated than this and far more complex than your extraction. I say this as a man who lives in this world where I long for those who do not follow Jesus to follow him. Also, I say this as a man who has completed a seminary education (Dallas Theological Seminary, 2015), and who is about to be in law school, starting fall of 2018. I will be in the throes of being able to influence policy where it’s being formed. I do not stand on the ground that the church is the moral police of society.
By the way, I eat and drink and live life around gay people. There are a lot of them where I live and work. I hope they one day follow Jesus. My condemnation of them at lunch will not help to fulfill that desire. My really caring about them will.
LikeLike
D. Walter,
You misrepresent what I said in my post. I did not say I did not remember what Jon said. I simply said I didn’t have a direct quote. That’s a big difference. I remembered what he said quite accurately since NGEN replayed that interview after I did my post.
[The church does not, in my opinion, exist for the purpose of enforcing its ethics through government institutions.]
This statement of yours along with some of your other comments lets me know you don’t read your Bible, study it, pray, or meditate on it very much–if at all. Your life is lived by placing what is pleasing to men above what pleases God, based on what you’ve said. Your seminary education means nothing if you really don’t have a heart for what God wants. His desire, according to scripture, is to be involved in every aspect of man’s existence, including government institutions–> https://sunandshield.wordpress.com/2007/05/09/20-political-statements-made-by-christ-and-his-saints-in-the-new-testament/
LikeLike
I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to achieve my goals. I certainly enjoy reading all that is posted on your site.Keep the information coming. I loved it!
LikeLike
Just found your blog and plan to follow.
I know this is late comment on this topic, but here goes. I have a family member who was raised in a Christian home, confessed Christ and was baptized; grew up and is a same sex relationship. That choice caused (and still does) a lot of hurt and pain in our family…because we love the Lord and our family member and do not condone their choice.
Yes, as believers, we should be clear on what God has revealed in His word regarding sin. And yes, we should listen to and engage those who are in need of hearing the gospel as the Holy Spirit leads us…not in arguments or vain disputes, but in truth and love.
Yes, that is what Jesus did.
LikeLike
TH,
Listening is good to a certain degree but in our day churches listen to gay activists to the point of questioning what God said and accepting or even promoting sins God said will keep people out of heaven. Making arguments is part of sharing the gospel and should be done firmly in love. Isn’t that what Christ did with Pharisees, what Stephen did before the Sanhedrin, and what Paul did at Athens?
LikeLike