Ex-gay group condemns Bradlee Dean’s comment on executing gays

Bradlee Dean. Image: YouTube

Randy Thomas, executive vice president of Exodus International, a group that advocates “freedom from homosexuality through the power of Jesus Christ,” condemned the words of hard rock ministry You Can Run But You Cannot Hide Intl., Inc., and its frontman Bradlee Dean. Dean told radio listener’s several weeks ago that Muslim nations that execute homosexuals are “more moral” than American Christians. Thomas called Dean’s words “powerfully irresponsible” and said they “ignored Jesus.”

“We called our contacts in Minnesota and apparently Mr. Dean is somewhat known in Christian circles there,” Thomas said on the group’s blog. “They have run into him a couple of times but have not appreciated his strident tone. They were as upset by his statements as we are. I would imagine he will be getting a few phone calls.”

Thomas said that Dean’s interpretations constituted “incomplete theology” and that Jesus would would not support executing sinners.

Here’s Exodus’ statement:

Using Old Testament scriptures to condemn a person to death is not “loving” … it is incomplete theology and powerfully irresponsible. To say that murderous actions are more “moral” than tolerating free will is to completely ignore that Jesus did not call for the deaths of sinners. He died and paid the price for all of our sin, including those of us who have or do struggle with homosexuality. He paid that transcendent price and still left us with the free will to believe in Him or not. That’s what makes faith in Him authentic and not coerced.

Putting down the stones of condemnation and serving others with humility, dignity and respect is the Christlike response. According to Jesus Himself, selfless sacrifice has much more moral authority than the false piety of humans judging other humans guilty of breaking the law and deserving of social stigmatization and/or death.

Just ask the woman caught in adultery … or the woman at the well … or Matthew the tax collector … or the man healed of leprosy … or the murderous Saul who became the Apostle Paul … or the whole church at Corinth … shall I go on?

There are at least a couple billion examples over the past 2,000 years of how God’s mercy, love and grace has defeated death and the grave.

Jesus didn’t murder others because of their sin, He allowed Himself to be murdered instead so that we could Live. And for those who place their faith in Him for salvation, we will live eternally. We are not called to preach the praises of radical Islamic justice, we are called to preach Christ crucified.

I pray that Mr. Dean will correct his focus and reconsider the message he is choosing to proclaim.