Reformed Baptists Torn Between Condemning and Commending Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence

A group of Reformed Baptists in Fontana, California, are facing a dilemma: whether to protest or support the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a charity organization of satirical drag nuns who are known for their irreverent wit and queer activism.

The Reformed Baptists, who hold to a Calvinist soteriology (salvation) and the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, are staunchly opposed to both transgenderism and Roman Catholicism, two things that the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence embody and mock.

"We are conflicted," said Pastor John Calvin Jr., the leader of the Reformed Baptist Church of Riverside. "On one hand, we believe that these drag nuns are an abomination in the sight of God, who created them male and female. On the other hand, we respect their zeal for exposing the errors and evils of the papacy, which we consider to be the Antichrist."

Pastor Calvin Jr. said he was inspired by the Sisters' recent ordeal with the Los Angeles Dodgers, who initially invited them to receive a community heroes award at their Pride Night, then rescinded it after backlash from conservative Catholic groups, and then reinstated it after apologizing to the Sisters.

"They showed grace and forgiveness to their enemies, which is a Christian virtue," he said. "They also showed strength and resilience in the face of persecution, which is a Calvinist trait. Even more, they believe that children should make their own decisions regarding religion, which we have to respect."

The pastor said he was considering inviting some of the Sisters to his church for a dialogue and a debate, but he was not sure how his congregation would react.

"Some of them might be open to learning from them, while others might be outraged by their presence," he said. "We are praying for guidance from the Holy Spirit."

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence said they were flattered by the Reformed Baptists' interest in them, but they were also wary of their motives.

"We appreciate their recognition of our work and our message, but we also wonder if they are trying to convert us or condemn us," said Sister Unity, one of the founding members of the Los Angeles chapter. "We are happy to talk to them, but we are not going to change who we are or what we believe."

Sister Unity, who identified for this interview as she/her, said she hoped that the Reformed Baptists would learn to embrace diversity and joy instead of clinging to dogma and judgment.

"We are all children of God, no matter how we identify or express ourselves," she said, "Regardless of whether we choose to accept it or not."

Comments

Piper Rebukes Driscoll, Defends Stripper Sword-Swallower

Piper Defends Male Strippers from Driscoll, Says Faith is "Erotic to the Core" MINNEAPOLIS, MN - In a surprising turn of events, prominent evangelical leader John Piper has come out in defense of male strippers, arguing that their profession is a valid expression of Christian spirituality. The controversy began when fellow pastor Mark Driscoll condemned male strippers as "ungodly" and "a threat to the moral fabric of society." Driscoll's comments sparked outrage among some in the Christian community, including Piper, who quickly rushed to the defense of the much-maligned exotic dancers. "Mark Driscoll clearly has a very narrow and repressed view of human sexuality," Piper told reporters. "As I've said many times, the Christian faith is erotic to the core. God created us as sexual beings, and that includes the male stripper." Piper went on to cite the "Song of Songs" as biblical evidence that God delights in human sensu...

Opinion: How to Win Any Theological Argument With One Simple Phrase

The Ultimate Guide to Dispensational Defense: How to Defend Your Faith and Confuse Your Critics Quickly and Efficiently Are you tired of losing arguments with your fellow Christians over eschatology, hermeneutics, or covenant theology? Do you wish you had a foolproof way to silence your opponents and prove your superior understanding of the Bible? Well, look no further than this one simple phrase: "You don't understand dispensationalism." That's right, with this magic phrase, you can win any theological debate in seconds. Here's how it works: - Step 1: Identify your opponent's position and label it as non-dispensational. It doesn't matter if they are amillennial, postmillennial, covenantal, or even dispensational themselves. Just say they are not. - Step 2: Assert that their position is based on a faulty interpretation of Scripture that ignores the literal, grammatical-historical method and the distinction between Israel and the church. - Step 3: When they...

Pious Piper's Passionate Pivot: Launches OF for 'Divine Desires' After 'Erotic' Jesus Revelation

Controversy Erupts as John Piper's Spiritual Sensuality Takes Center Stage on Unconventional Platform In a surprising turn of events, renowned Christian figure John Piper has reportedly ventured into uncharted territory by launching his own O***F*** [full name censored] page. This unexpected move comes hot on the heels of Piper's latest controversial statement where he likened his love for Jesus to something "erotic." Here’s the full quote: “… that love, that love is not equal to obedience and that love is not equal to agape, that love is erotic to the core . That’s an overstatement. Eros means I find pleasure in you, Jesus. I find pleasure in you, Jesus.” Piper's account, aptly named "DivineDesires," promises exclusive content that delves into the intimate and sensual aspects of his spiritual connection with Jesus. Subscribers to his page are treated to a series of videos where Piper engages in seemingly ordinary activities, but with a twist that sugg...

The Calvinist Chronicle

Search This Blog