About that Breonna Taylor Post I Made

 

In Galatians 6:7-8, the Apostle Paul said, "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life."

Five years ago today, on September 29, 2020, I posted this verse on what was then Twitter, and I said, "If Breonna Taylor had not been sleeping with her boyfriend, she'd still be alive."

Do you remember Breonna Taylor and what happened to her in 2020? Taylor was a 26 year old black woman who was fatally shot by police officers on March 13 of that year. They entered her apartment unannounced during a no-knock warrant execution. Taylor's boyfriend Kenneth Walker, whom she was sleeping with, jumped out of bed believing intruders were breaking in, and he shot at them. The police retaliated with one of the officers fatally shooting and killing Taylor.

This contributed to the spirit of unrest that led to the George Floyd riots later that summer, when leftists, anti-fascists, and Black Lives Matter activists (et al) looted, destroyed property, and burned down entire neighborhoods in major cities across the United States. It was such a sad time in American history, a reminder of the sin sick world we live in. 

I did not comment on the Breonna Taylor situation at all when it happened. I didn't say anything about it until 6 months after she died. Oh, but when I did, social media exploded at me.

Some Firestorm of a Controversy

That one comment generated a firestorm of response, unlike anything else I'd ever posted up to that point. Perhaps the only thing more controversial was when I posted what the Bible says about homosexuality and got banned from Twitter for it (until Elon Musk bought the social media giant and thanks to a friend, my account was restored in March of last year).

While I knew some people would disagree with my observation, I did not expect the outrage it generated. I really cannot control what goes viral on social media. Some of the comments I think will be the most benign turn out to be the most controversial. I've been accused of posting certain things just to cause outrage. That has never been my motivation. I post for the people following my account. I do not decide what is going to go ignored or what will trigger a mass response.

At the time I made the post, I was in the middle of a move. We were packing up our house moving from Kansas to Texas. The church whose pastoral team I had agreed to join was getting calls about my post from the mainstream media, but I wasn't there to respond.

So that the church didn't have to deal with this mess in my absence, I deleted the post after it had been up for 28 hours, and I offered an apology via a video that was posted to all of my social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube). 

Most everyone thought I had apologized for what I said. Even Karen Swallow Prior thanked me for issuing a retraction. But my initial statement was still correct: If Breonna Taylor had not been sleeping with her boyfriend, she may still have been alive. That's simply true. Why would I apologize for that? 

Rather, what I did apologize for was that I did not have the time to respond to the controversy with more sensitivity and clarity. I did not owe anyone an apology as I had not wronged anyone. But as Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath." I then I took the month of October off social media for the sake of my family and the church I was moving to. If I was not moving, I never would have done anything about it at all.

People were absolutely beside themselves about that post. It was crazy. Even the Houston Chronicle was calling looking for a quote (I didn't give them one). I never had the chance to respond to some of the comments I got, though I jotted down several of them. So today, on the 5 year anniversary of that post, here are those comments and my replies.

Some Gentle Replies to Some Not so Gentle Comments

The chief criticism that I received was that I said Taylor deserved to be shot by police because she was sleeping with her boyfriend. That's not what I said. I did not even imply that she deserved to be shot by police because she was a fornicator. Rather, as I said in my apology, we would all do well to remember that sin has consequences—often indirect consequences that we seldom consider. 

During my month-long fast from social media, a campaign had started up to "cyber bully" me. I was shown a screenshot of an anonymous account on Instagram that said, "Can we all bully him in his [direct messages] please? Just look up Gabriel Hughes and cyber bully him." Then someone else commented and included my Twitter handle so everyone could find it.

What does cyber bullying entail? In addition to some of the most vile name-calling you've ever read, it includes private messages with descriptive details about how someone is going to rape your wife. I received an invitation to a gay orgy, and several persons sent explicit photos (which thankfully Instagram hides, and I never clicked on any of them as I already had a pretty good idea of what was going on).

Many of the private messages I received weren't from real accounts. People created fake or anonymous accounts so they wouldn't be in jeopardy of getting deleted, banned, shamed, or in trouble with the law. Surely explicit photos count as sexual abuse akin to a man throwing open his trenchcoat and exposing himself to women in public, and explaining to one's neighbor how he plans to rape his wife cannot possibly be without legal repercussions.

The cyber-bullying aside, here are some of the more measured replies that I received—still negative, but at least they weren't wishing criminal harm upon me.

Hart Ramsey, a pastor in Montgomery, AL, said, "Here’s my problem with what Pastor Gabe did with his Breonna Taylor tweet. What he said is Scripture. But was it necessary? It struck me as insensitive. God's Word is written to believers primarily. So unwise. But these same people give Trump a pass for his demonic behavior."

So he actually acknowledged that what I said was true. But to discredit it, he had to bring up Trump, as if to expose some inconsistency—because if I haven't called out Trump for his "demonic behavior," apparently my comment about Breonna Taylor cannot be valid. This is a tu quoque fallacy. I've been critical of Trump for over a decade. But my statement was true regardless of what I've said or haven't said about Trump. Pastor Ramsey even recognizes this.

In response to Ramsey's tweet, a woman simply identified as T said, "This may seem cruel, and you all can delete my response... I pray the pastor is not on Twitter next month for some impropriety of his own." Pastor Ramsey replied, "No, your comment does not seem cruel. I had the same thought." 

Well, rejoice! Your prayers have been answered. I wasn't.

Another woman commented, "His apology was hard to take seriously because he sounded like he was reporting the weather." So my radio voice means I cannot be taken seriously whenever I issue an apology?

A woman named Tracey said, "His tweet is the reason so many people are lost and have no interest in accepting Christ. 'He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her (John 8:7).'" There's no throwing stones—the woman is dead. And I didn't say anything about it until 6 months after she died.

Given that Pastor Ramsey acknowledged what I said about her was true, is she saying the reason so many people are lost and have no interest in accepting Christ is because they hate the truth? Can't say that I disagree with that.

A woman from CT said, "Here we have those who have become judge, jury, prosecutor, radio commentator and little gods using the Word of God to attempt to justify someone's murder!"

Here's the hypocrisy of that statement: This woman from CT is saying that those police officers murdered Breonna Taylor. A grand jury of persons from Taylor's neighborhood, which included Black Lives Matter sympathizers, concluded that those officers did not murder Taylor. So this woman is making herself judge, jury, and prosecutor.

A man named Joe who claimed he's a reverend said, "Thanks for clearing up that you worship the god of exchange, the deus ex machina, the Janus faced god, rather than the God revealed in fullness by Jesus of Nazareth." 

On his own Twitter page, he claimed that the idea of hell is pure evil, and teaching it to children is abuse. No one in the Bible preached about hell more than Jesus of Nazareth.

A man named Billy said, "He doubled down. Am I missing something here?  His apology essentially said her getting shot was an unintentional consequence of her sin and that IF she had held fast to the faith... He stops explaining and just quotes other scripture. Does he assume her faith? Her sin?" Well at least one person recognized I didn't actually take back what I said.

A woman with Black Lives Matter in her profile said, "Do you think that Christ crucified would have said something like that? Absolutely disgusting and vile."

When He was asked about some Galileeans who were murdered while they were offering sacrifices, Jesus said, "Unless you repent, you will likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5).

A man from TX said, "No, you just, without evidence, accused someone of fornication. I'm not saying she wasn't (I have no idea), but you presume *and then* condemn her for it."

The man she was sleeping with, Kenneth Walker, acknowledged they were sleeping together and had planned on moving in together. He received a $2 million settlement. She's dead, in part because he couldn't be a man and care for her properly.

A man named Ronald said, "On a personal note, if she was white and a republican, and she was fooling around with someone like Trump does... I guess you'd give that a pass, too." There's the Trump argument again. It's slander to accuse me of inconsistency when I've never demonstrated such inconsistency.

Ronald went on to say, "It's the kindness of God that leads to repentance." How did I say anything unkind?

One woman said, "The tried and true 'christian twitter apology' ...I was misunderstood, you're wrong for saying anything, and now I'm taking a social media break." It was pretty well acknowledged by a lot of people that the way I was being read was worse than mere misunderstanding. It was uncharitable and thinking the worst of me.

Some of the Gentler Comments

Not all the comments were bad. John in Michigan said, "Yup, no confusion on my part. Don’t be censored though. The Gospel is never sensitive enough for those who refuse to believe."

A fellow by the name of Nick said, "First, I knew what you meant and agreed wholeheartedly. Second, your speaking voice is amazing. Third, Still think you should not be involved in politics. It is of the world and we are not." I disagree that we should not be involved in politics. What's happening in our world politically affects people's lives. That aside, I said nothing political.

Tony from Tennessee said, "It never even crossed my mind that you were implying she deserved to be shot." Thank you, Tony.

A mom from Texas said, "Thank you for clarifying. I'm sorry that some falsely judged the hidden motivations of your heart to be unloving as your desire was to warn and convict. I hope your move to Texas goes well and without unnecessary difficulty."

A friend named Jeff said, "Anyone with an ounce of discernment knew what you were saying, Gabe. God you you and your family and be safe during the move."

John in NC, said, "God bless you Pastor Gabe! Your consistent integrity is one of the main things that drew me to your videos and podcasts! Please be safe in your move! God bless you and your family!"

Zandi from Australia said, "What a gracious man. Thanks, Pastor Gabe. I'm sorry for all the nasty comments you received. May we all receive God's grace and show it to others as well."

Marla, a missionary to Japan, said, "Unfortunately, holiness is not popular. I understood what you meant, but I think it stepped on some toes."

A reformed fellow said, "I appreciate you, sir. Even if I did disagree, I would want to show you the grace you show often in your ministry."

A woman from NC said, "Breonna deserved better. Breonna deserved more. Breonna was made in the image of God. If only Breonna was offered that same 'patient wisdom' before she was shot to death execution style."

We don't know that she wasn't offered that patient wisdom before she died. Perhaps she was and ignored it. I often speak up on social media when tragedies happen and direct people to the life-saving good news of Jesus Christ. People will call this insensitive or tone-deaf. But what better time to tell people about forgiveness of sins and everlasting life with God than when faced with their own mortality? Better you hear it now and be able to respond to it than after you die and it's too late.

Robert in IL said, "It didn't need clarification."

Tonya from NC said, "Students of scripture knew exactly where you were coming from, Pastor Gabe. I understand why you had to clarify. God bless you and your family; may your move be smooth and may all that you encounter in your new locale be a blessing."

A man from Canada responded to Tonya and said, "What a condescending comment, 'students of scripture understand' as if others aren't Berean enough. Truth apart from love is dangerous at best, evil at worst. Dangerous men should be disqualified period." What a silly statement: truth apart from love is dangerous at best, evil at worst? How can the truth be evil?

We are told to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). But truth not spoken in love doesn't somehow become evil. Should I speak the truth in an unloving way, I must answer to God for that. But the truth is still the truth. The Apostle Paul said, "If I understand all mysteries and all knowledge... but have not love, I am nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:2). That doesn't meant he truth becomes nothing.

A woman named Deb said, "I very much appreciated this clarification. I read those awful responses. I knew what you meant, but I wished you had said it another way. Thank you for being an example of Christ like behavior. It would do well for all your critics to evaluate themselves as well."

A woman from Canada responded to Deb and said, "This is the opposite of Being Christ-like... Shall we start with the woman caught in adultery? Was she stoned for her consequences? Nope, Christ shut that down! Next time, actually read the Bible, don’t just pose with it." Except, Taylor is dead. She's not being stoned as a direct consequence for her sin—she's dead as an indirect consequence for her own sin.

Savvy from New York said, "Although I know the context in which you intended, I must admit I was a bit takin aback when I read the tweet. I know you meant no ill will though."

Stace from TX said, "Good job! When I saw that, I knew people would misunderstand, some willfully. She did not deserve to be shot and killed, but her life choices had consequences. It’s amazing to me that people get so angry when it’s pointed out that death could have been avoided. Sin = death."

A man responding to Stace said, "This is just bad theology, people sin all the time and don't die from it (the way Gabe is implicating). This particular sin was no more deserving of death than you or Gabe not loving the Lord God with all your heart mind and soul."

As I said in my apology video, even I deserve to die. But I'm covered by the blood of Christ by faith in Him. Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." You, too, can have forgiveness of your sins and peace with God. Then, as recorded in John 8:11, Jesus said to the adulterous woman, "Go and sin no more."

Clayton from GA said, "You weren't wrong. It sure was taken the wrong way though. 'How dare you say fornication is sin and one of the consequences in this instance was being killed.'"

Terri from TX said, "The original tweet was fine and needed no clarification but so very kind of you to give. I wish my daughter who lives with her boyfriend could hear you preach. It wasn't unloving. People need to hear these truths."

Daiyaan (day-yawn) on Instagram said, "Did you really just finish that out without saying 'When we understand the text?" And then she put a frowny face.

Some Concluding Comments

Dan Chappell, pursuing his PhD in Christian Ministry, said, "Each time I watch this it gets harder to watch. I sincerely tried to see what he is saying. Yet, it’s clear to me he is still very much saying that her death is directly attributed to her sinful act, at that moment. It is not lacking in grace to tell him this."

But is it gracious if Mr. Chappell never actually told me that? I just happened to see it as he was ranting about it with someone else. I personally reached out to Mr. Chappell and invited him to e-mail me. He said, "I have directly responded to you a number of times. This is a public discussion as the condemnation was a public one. And I have not maligned you as a person or a believer in saying these things."

I told him that I receive many comments, and I did not recognize him. A search turned up zero results that Mr. Chappell had ever directly responded to me before. He also never e-mailed me. I would have tried to help him understand that I did not say her death was a direct result of her sexual immorality. I said it was an unintended consequence, meaning that it was an indirect result. Does Mr. Chappell deny that? Who knows. He didn't want to talk.

A woman from the UK said, "I still think that your tweet was just horrible. Instead of trying to justify it with the Bible, you should have just apologized and that's it. I can't believe that a pastor would even consider writing such a thing."

A man named Kori said, "That’s the problem when you spend your life trying to expose others; you would have to be without your own vices to not get caught yourself. 'What a man sows that shall he reap.' A lot of the people you try to destroy need the same mercy you are asking for."

Who am I trying to destroy? I am trying to do nothing but proclaim Jesus Christ and Him crucified. Jesus died on the cross as an atoning sacrifice for sins. He rose again from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:25), so that whoever believes in Him will not perish under the judgment of God that we all deserve, but we will have everlasting life.

Turn from your sin to the Lord Jesus Christ and live. Or don't turn, and you will perish in judgment to suffer the direct consequences for your sins. As you recognized: whatever one sows, that he will also reap.