Beware Of Pastor Steven Anderson's Unbiblical Reprobate Doctrine

John 5:40, “And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.”

There is a damaging unbiblical false teaching going around in New IFB (New Independent Fundamental Baptist) churches today, which errantly says that God hates homosexuals and has given up on them ever being saved. Consequently, the New IFB falsely teach that homosexuals are “reprobates” who are beyond the hope of the Gospel, so New IFB members refuse to make any effort to preach the Gospel to gay people.

The following Christian ministry and salvation testimonies by two former homosexuals disproves Pastor Steven Anderson's hurtful heresy...

New Hope Ministries is the continuation of the work of Frank and Anita Worthen. Both Anita and Frank’s testimonies are available for you to read online. The work began way back in 1973 when Frank, at 44 years old, recommitted his life to Jesus Christ. Over the next few years he founded the former Love In Action (LIA), one of the largest and oldest ex-gay ministries in the world (no longer in existence). He was also one of the founding fathers of Exodus International North America in 1976 (no longer in existence), which was a world-wide umbrella ministry setting the standard for all ministries helping homosexuals walk free through the power of Jesus Christ. Exodus was replaced by Restored Hope Network. In 2012 Frank once again stepped to the forefront of ministry and became one of the founders of Restored Hope Network. 

SOURCE: https://www.newhope123.org

This man and his wife were both homosexuals, but they came to Jesus Christ and forsook that wicked deathstyle, and then started their own ministry to help other homosexuals also come to Christ. So, please don't dare tell me that there is no hope for homosexuals!!!

I love Pastor Anderson, but he has greatly hindered his ministry and hurt the cause of Christ by hating one class of sinners. Jesus said that He came to save men, not destroy them (Luke 9:55-56). One of the most common topics that my web visitors have asked me about is the “Reprobate Doctrine,” which has been popularized in recent years by Pastor Steven Anderson. I humbly do not agree with Pastor Anderson's views on this doctrine.

Homosexuality Is Not Okay With God, It Is Wickedness

Let me clarify, homosexuality is a sin worthy of death under Old Testament law (Leviticus 20:13). So also is kidnapping, adultery and other serious crimes in God's sight. If you think that homosexuality is rooted in love, and that the government has no business interfering with the lifestyle they choose to live, then you are not right with the holy God of the Holy Bible. Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” The Bible says in 1st John 5:19b that “the whole world lieth in wickedness...” The world has always been the enemy of God and against the cause of Jesus Christ.

Dear reader, there is no middle ground on this important issue. You either believe the inspired Word of God, which condemns all sexual immorality and homosexuality as sin (Romans 1:24-32; Colossians 3:5-6; Jude 1:7); or else you are a rebel against God.

We Should Unconditionally Love Homosexuals, But Not Accept Their Sin

We should never accept the sin with the sinner, nor reject the sinner with the sin. I am 100% against Pastor Steven Anderson and his followers in the New IFB, saying that they are glad to hear when anybody is murdered. That is a horrible unchristlike attitude! What saith the Scripture? Ezekiel 18:32, “For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.” God never rejoices when the vilest sinner perishes in their sin. 2nd Peter 3:9 plainly states, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God desires for ALL humanity to get saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

Here is a powerful quote from Pastor E.M. Bounds (1835-1913):

'The world' includes the mass of humanity that is alienated from God and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ. It involves worldly affairs, earthly things, riches, pleasures, and pursuits that are shallow, frail, and fleeting. These things stir desire, draw us away from God, and are obstacles to the cause of Christ. The divorced or torn relationships between heaven and earth, between God and His creatures, finds its expression in the term 'the world.'” —Pastor Edward M. Bound, a quote from chapter 7 - “Overcoming The Enemy Of God,” from the classic book titled: “GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL WARFARE”

I really love that quote, which I first read 35 years ago. Those in society today who support homosexuals having rights to get married and legally adopt children are the enemies of God. James 4:4, “Ye adulterers and adulteresses, 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.” I do not hate any living soul, certainly not homosexuals; however, I do strongly reject the homosexual agenda, which includes their ungodly efforts to coerce the courts through media intimidation and political pressure to further their wickedness.

Job 20:5, “That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?” God will not be mocked, all sin will be punished (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Romans 1:32; 1st Corinthians 6:9-11). Thankfully, there is hope through faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 5:9). The sin of homosexuality won't keep you out of Heaven, if you receive Christ's sacrifice on the cross as payment for your sins, believing that He was buried and then bodily resurrected after three days. This is "the Gospel" (1st Corinthians 15:1-4). But you must admit that your homosexuality is a sin in the sight of a holy God. No one will ever be saved who denies that homosexuality is a wicked sin, because you need to know what you're being saved from, which is sin and the penalty of sin (Romans 3:19-20; Revelation 21:8).

The “Reprobate Doctrine” itself teaches that there is a line an unbeliever can cross, where God no longer deals with that person's heart about getting saved, and they are beyond hope. Although it is true that a person who rejects the Gospel runs the risk of never hearing the truth of the Gospel again, I do not believe that God deliberately wants anybody to perish in their sins and go to Hell forever. Pastor Anderson defines a “reprobate” as someone who is incapable of believing the Gospel.

Although I agree that an unbeliever's heart can become so hardened that the truth is no longer effective (e.g., Pharaoh in Moses' time), I do not believe it is because God has willingly hardened their heart because He hates them. The Lord wants all men to be saved (2nd Peter 3:9). The problem is not that homosexuals are incapable of believing the Gospel to be saved; but rather, Jesus said, “ye will not come to me, that ye might have life” (John 5:40).

Refuting The Unbiblical Reprobate Doctrine