Carl Lentz, pastor of Hillsong Church in New York City, defended traditional marriage during a recent interview with Vice News, proclaimning that he believes the Bible “says what it says” on the matter.
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At first, Lentz avoided directly detailing the broader theological constructs after being asked, “What is your stance on marriage equality?” saying that it’s a “non-issue” since gay marriage is now legal.
“I think we have a P.R. problem,” he said. “Marriage equality, it’s a non-issue, because the laws of the land in New York City — gay people can get married.”
But when Lentz was specifically asked for his own opinion, he didn’t hold much back.
“My opinion is secondary to what we believe the Bible’s opinion is,” he said. “So, Hillsong Church, traditionally, for 30 years, we would say the Bible is really clear that marriage is between a man and a woman.”
Lentz continued, “And I believe the Bible says what it says, and I interpret it exactly as the Bible says.”
Watch his comments below:
Lentz’s gay marriage comments come after a separate controversy over his statements about abortion on “The View.” As Faithwire previously reported, Lentz was asked by co-host Joy Behar last month, “So, it’s not a sin in your church to have an abortion?”
Rather than answer directly, he said that people have to “live with their own convictions” and stressed the importance of pastors starting by getting to know people before pinpointing sin in their lives.
He continued to waffle as the dialogue progressed; you can read about that here. Controversy erupted after the show and he later put out a statement clarifying that he is, indeed, opposed to abortion and believes it is sinful.
Lentz has flatly condemned abortion in the past as well, as evidenced by a 2015 interview with GQ.