The Chip and Joanna Gaines Debate

Admittedly, I have only seen a few shows with Chip and Joanna Gaines. I fully understand that the Magnolia Network attracts many people because of what this couple can do with the gifts that God has given them. This has, of course, been a big show with conservative Christians because of their open stance on being Christian.

Unless you live under a rock, you have seen the recent “controversy” surrounding their new show, Back to the Frontier, on the Magnolia network. In a nutshell, the Christian couple does a project for a same-sex couple. This first episode has caused a theological tsunami in the Christian world and to be completely honest, it is a bit embarrassing. Embarrassing for who, you might ask? For the Christians. I realize this may not be the popular stance, especially from a pastor of an evangelical church, but it is my opinion and I am sticking with it. Allow me to explain. 

I cannot speak for Chip and Joanna, but I am quite confident this couple knew what they were doing by undertaking a project for this couple. I am not aware that this show was promoted as a “Christian” show, nor was it filmed to be exclusively shown on a Christian TV station. Here is what I perceive. 

In Matthew 22:39(NIV), it states “And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” I can imagine someone asking Jesus, “What about those that live a different lifestyle than we do?” To which Jesus would reply, “Yes, even those that ask stupid questions.” 

Could it be that what the Gaines’ are doing is simply living out this scripture? The Bible does not make clear under what conditions we might consider someone to be our neighbor; it simply states “Love your neighbor as yourself.” God has clearly given this couple a stage, the status of celebrity and by having that stage, they very well could be ministering to people that we have no idea about. We only get to see the few minutes that are on the air, but what we don’t get to see is all of the behind-the-scenes action where Chip and Joanna might be living out their faith through words, actions, and deeds. 

The fact of the matter is this entire debacle, due in part to the evangelical community, is nothing short of embarrassing. I would like to believe that more Christians would help out their fellow human, regardless of lifestyle, religion, etc., as Jesus commands us to do, but through these many posts, I find it hard to believe that many would. Clearly, Chip and Joanna are living out their faith to show the love of Christ to all people. So, what would happen if Chip and Joanna end up helping out a Muslim family? A Hindu family? Etc. Will the Christian community slam them for that as well? This really points to a bigger problem, and that is Christians are downright afraid to reach out to those outside of the four walls of a church to show the love of Christ. It’s evident by the hate spewed at this family doing the work of the Lord. 

What I suggest is simply this. Jesus has called us to reach the lost, love our neighbor, and minister to those that you can. When was the last time you helped out a same-sex couple? God’s love is for everyone. From what I have read, there is nowhere indicated that Chip and Joanna have affirmed their lifestyle, and we can love people without affirming. However, we can help everyone that comes through our life. By Chip and Joanna helping this couple out, maybe, just maybe, they used this platform to show the love of Christ in a way that St. Francis of Assisi once said, “Go and preach the gospel, use words if you must.” 

Good on you, Chip and Joanna! You are reaching people that clearly the evangelical world (not as a whole) is clearly repulsed by. Good on you for making a difference in people’s lives with the platform God has given you. Perhaps this is a reflection moment for the bitter Christians to repent and say, “I need to be more open to helping people that may not live like me in order to point them to a God who extends his love and grace to everyone.” See John 3:16.