By Elizabeth Prata
Sadly, yesterday, Alistair Begg was no longer listed as a speaker at the 2024 Shepherds Conference at Grace Community Church.
This is a major conference founded and led by John MacArthur specifically to edify and minister to Pastors. After Begg’s January 19 remarks which he counseled a grandmother that it was OK for her to attend the transgender wedding of her grandson, controversy erupted.
Initially, behind the scenes brethren urged Begg to reconsider this counsel. Then, American Family Radio contacted Begg’s ministry and had an extended conversation with his representatives, where pleas to repent were not heard. So AFR dropped Begg from their broadcasting roster.
One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise.
One who neglects discipline rejects himself, (Proverbs 15:31-32).
Later, Begg said some even his own pastoral team disagreed with Begg’s advice.
Controversy continued. So this past Sunday, Begg preached a clarifying statement. In it, the defense of his counsel was worse than the counsel because it included anger, calling his critics Pharisees, and a misuse of the scripture he was preaching which was twisted to justify his defense of his position.
Then what people had been watching for: ShepCon. Apparently a conversation was had between ShepCon leader MacArthur and Begg. Begg withdrew from speaking, with MacArthur associate Phil Johnson telling a news organization “it was necessary for him to withdraw.”
The original advice should have been for the grandmother to refrain from participating as a celebrant and witness to a perversion of marriage. Sometimes one’s absence speaks louder than all the words up to that point.
And now Begg is undergoing the same treatment: our beliefs have consequences. At some point, we must part from a person when their beliefs (or acts) diverge from the Bible’s standards. In this, Begg’s truculent refusal to even listen to advice, never mind the actual original advice he gave the grandmother, indicates a necessary parting.
What would have been the effect, do we think, if the ShepCon organizers had said “Pastor Begg, we disagree with your advice, seeing it is unbiblical, and your misuse of the passage in Luke 15 was wrong exegesis, but come along to the Conference anyway, we don’t want to be seen as judgmental.” He would have felt justified, wouldn’t he?
Earlier in life I learned that what people SAY and what people DO, must match up.
Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Lines in the sand exist for a reason.
the-end-time.org 
John Piper needs to go
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Why does Piper need to go?
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Consider the wise counseling concerning the gravity of Mr. Begg’s error:
Alistair Begg Defends His Advice: A Pastoral Reply – YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqVCnOk4qyQ
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Dear Elizabeth, where is the grace?
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div>Pastor Begg counciled a grandma whose grands
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The grace was American Family Radio contacting Truth for Life and pleading with Pastor Begg to reconsider his stance.
The grace was the many OTHER brothers calling, messaging, and e-mailing the same.
The grace was his own elder board who did not agree with his stance asking Begg to preach on this to further clarify and address.
The grace was the several Open letters from wonderful brothers in the faith pleading with Begg.
The Grace was an honest conversation with John MacArthur, an elder statemen of the faith.
There is grace in Proverbs: One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke Will stay among the wise. One who neglects discipline rejects himself, (Proverbs 15:31-32).
I’ll tell you where the grace was NOT:
Begg’s initial advice to the grandma
Begg’s doubling down
Begg’s calling his critics ‘Pharisees’
Begg’s using Luke 15 erroneously to justify his errant stance
Begg’s claiming his Scottishness gave him some extra nuance that we ‘fundamentalists lack.
And grace certainly WASN’T with his own people who have already done the right thing and told the truth ln love to family members, losing some of them, and now being shown that THEY are critical and judgmental and should have gone to their event in the first place.
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Thank you for your detailed response. Yes, I’m aware of most of the details you have stated. I know wh
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There are ways to love those enslaved in this abominable lifestyle that don’t include attending a ceremony that celebrates their abominable lifestyle. Invite them over for supper. Bring a pie over to them. Help them load/unload the moving truck. Shovel their driveway. Mow their lawn. Make eye contact with them and give a smile. Give them a hug or handshake. Share with them you are praying for them. Share the Gospel with them.
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Churches are too wishy-washy re such matters. Relieved to read these statements from two respected Christian organisations. Sad really, as we use Begg’s devotional book for our ‘together’ devotions.
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I am saddened by what Alistair Begg chose to say and I will keep praying for him to truly allow the Almighty Lord God’s Holy Spirit to guide him in TRUTH and to not give in to emotional reasons. The grandmother deserved better and truthful guidance. Much is given and much is expected. I am a 74 year old grandmom going through this witness of where I stand against the homosexual lifestyle with a grandchild. She knows she is loved but I am loving her through showing also I will Stand on Our Lord God’s Holy Word. I can love and be compassionate and still stand strong in my obedience to our precious Lord God. Alistair Begg I have been a faithful listener and giver to Truth for Life. I will keep praying for you to see the truth. Repent is not a casual word about you “repent everyday, ask your wife Sue!” Yes we repent and each time the Lord shows us our wrongs we repent. Repent is serious and for some it is a “gut wrenching “ emptying of all we have wronged our precious Savior with and asking forgiveness. In 1996 this happen to me and our Lord God showed me so much and I will NEVER Forget. Since a little girl our Lord has kept me close. Even when I wandered, He took his “Shepherd’s Hook” and pulled me back even closer. Sincerely, in Jesus Name, grandmom
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