In a self-righteous rant about love that is sure to intimidate no one, Tavner Smith said he wants to punch the Church in the face.
The disgraced preacher from Chattanooga who was caught cheating on his wife with one of Venue Church’s worship leaders wants to lecture others on love. Why? Because “Pastor” Tavner Smith is a wolf. He thinks it’s unloving to preach against sin. In fact, he’s a perfect example of someone who loves the world.
In a recently posted rant on stage to whoever would listen of his dwindling congregation, Smith took issue with Christians who would dare to hold to God’s Word by not being down with Lil Nas X’s Satanic tennis shoes and homosexuality.
“I would like to punch the Church in the face. The whole Global Church. I saw so many articles about how awful it is that he made these shoes- yeah, like the shoes were Satan himself and were gonna come attack us. Did y’all read that?”
Notice the not so- subtle disdain in his voice for God-fearing Christians. Evidently, he doesn’t have a problem with a sneaker glorifying Lucifer and mocking the Almighty. What kind of pastor talks like this?
His rationale soon became clear as the “chili slingin” pastor explained,
“They asked him, ‘why would you make Satan shoes’” Ready for this?…‘Because of what the church did to me. Because when I told them I was young-I was gay- he said they hated me. They preached against me, treated me and said awful things about me’ and then he says this, ‘And now I hope they feel the hate that they hated with.’ We should be ashamed of ourselves.”
No Tavner, the Bride of Christ should not be ashamed of “ourself” for taking a Scriptural stance on the sin of homosexuality. True love is preaching repentance from sin. What’s hateful is to assuage the conscience of sinners and rob them of hearing the Gospel.
Smith then goes on to parrot Tim Keller stating “the Bible says this form of living isn’t your best life” (referring to sodomy). This is a dangerous narrative and a lie. Scripture is clear on homosexuality being an abomination to God (Leviticus 18:22). Here is what the Gospel is all about: preaching repentance from sin (ALL SIN, even homosexuality) and placing one’s faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sin unto salvation. It is about the gift of His righteousness that is not one’s own. Being set free from God’s judgment and being placed in the family of God having been reconciled to the Father.
The hateful responses from Tavner Smith and Lil Nas X come as no surprise. Clearly Smith is angered by believers who take a hard line against the acceptance of sin. He even scolded those who hold these beliefs and said they’re not welcome at his church. Christ warns true believers in 1 John 15:18-19, “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” Believers can expect this reality. But take comfort, as Matthew 5:11 says, “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.” May the Almighty grant His Bride strength to stand firm and boldness to rightly obey and declare His Word- not to be moved when the world hates them. And as for you Tavner, why don’t you just stick to chili dogs.
(Hat Tip / Video: Venue Is No Church . This article was written by Brad Schoolfield for Protestia.