After a 7 hear hiatus from music, Jennifer Knapp shocked the “Christian Music” scene by acknowledging she’s been in a long-term same sex relationship. Knapp, 33, revealed all this in interviews with Christianity Today and Advocate.com, and is on the verge of releasing her new album Letting Go on May 11.
Jennifer Knapp on her 7 hear hiatus:
I’m certainly in a same-sex relationship now, but when I suspended my work, that wasn’t even really a factor. I had some difficult decisions to make and what that meant for my life and deciding to invest in a same-sex relationship, but it would be completely unfair to say that’s why I left music. [Jennifer Knapp, Christianity Today]
On being honest with herself:
The Bible has literally saved my life. I find myself between a rock and a hard place — between the conservative evangelical who uses what most people refer to as the ‘clobber verses’ to refer to this loving relationship as an abomination, while they’re eating shellfish and wearing clothes of five different fabrics, and various other Scriptures we could argue about.
I’m not capable of getting into the theological argument as to whether or not we should or shouldn’t allow homosexuals within our church. There’s a spirit that overrides that for me, and (that is) what I’ve been gravitating to in Christ and why I became a Christian in the first place. [Jennifer Knapp, Christianity Today]
and
“I’m quite comfortable to live with parts of myself that don’t make sense to you.” [Jennifer Knapp, Advocate.com]
What the future has in store:
I’m in no way capable of leading a charge for some kind of activist movement. I’m just a normal human being who’s dealing with normal everyday life scenarios.
As a Christian, I’m doing that as best as I can. The heartbreaking thing to me is that we’re all hopelessly deceived if we don’t think that there are people within our churches, within our communities, who want to hold on to the person they love, whatever sex that may be, and hold on to their faith. [Jennifer Knapp, Christianity Today]
You can preview her new album at www.jenniferknapp.com. In my opinion, it’s the best and most honest Jennifer Knapp has sounded. I grew up in The Church & she was on the short list of “Approved Christian Music” I was allowed to listen to. I wasn’t a fan then, so it’s refreshing to actually enjoy Jennifer Knapp‘s music this time around.
Letting Go will be released on May 11, 2010.
For more on this check out these in-depth articles:
Jennifer Knapp Comes Out (Christianity Today)
Christian Singer Jennifer Knapp Comes Out (Advocate.com)
Christian music star Jennifer Knapp comes back and comes out (CNN)
![Movie Trailer [Red Band]: Jennifer’s Body](http://www.thegeekcouch.com/wp-content/plugins/contextual-related-posts/default.png "Movie Trailer [Red Band]: Jennifer’s Body")
But, Sean, don’t you realize that being a gay Christian is impossible. Next thing you’re going to tell me is that being a lying Christian, cheating Christian, or judgmental Christian is ok.
For we ALL have sinned and come short…
But that’s just the thing. As Christians we’re all liars, cheaters and judgmental. It’s human nature, and we fall short on a daily basis.
I’m not in any position to pass judgment on anyone regarding their sexual orientation or even their faith. That’s between them and God to sort out, not me.
From an artistic standpoint, I applaud people who stand up for their convictions not matter what. And for a “Christian” artist to put her reputation and career on the line, I have to respect that.
Somehow I just made it back here finally… haha.. and now I realize that my post, which was intended to be uber sarcastic actually looks just mean. But, yes, I agree with you… none of us are in a position to judge period. I might not agree with her lifestyle, but it’s not like mine is perfect either. She obviously knows what the Bible says… between her and God now… not us.
Sean, do you think it is an issue of being judgmental? Like you said, we are ALL sinners who fail on a daily basis. Even the Apostle Paul admitted that he was the foremost of sinners (having murdered and persecuted Christians, etc).
According to the Bible there is a difference between living in a lifestyle of sin and sinning. If you claim to be a Christian and truly love Jesus Christ, then your desire will be to obey Him (even though you can’t perfectly obey, through the Holy Spirit your desire will be obedience). In John 14:15 Jesus says “If you love Me you will keep My commandments.”
I don’t think we need to single out Jennifer Knapp; these truths are for everyone. Whether you struggle with the sin of homosexuality, pornography or anything else contrary to the Word of God, if you say you believe and trust in Jesus Christ then your desire will be to change and NOT continue in that sin.
Jesus is very clear in Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 7 we are also commanded not to to judge others (i.e. pronouncing them guilty before God), so I would not go as far as to say that she is not a Christian, but I do know that it is impossible to have an active and growing relationship with Christ if you are living in habitual sin. This is for anyone, not just Jennifer Knapp. The best thing we can do is pray for her.
But that’s what I’m saying! I’m not judging anyone or singling out anyone. The story above is about Jennifer Knapp and her decision to be honest with herself and her feelings.
I don’t feel the need to pray for her to “change.” It’s not my place to call her out for her “sin.” As long as she’s happy with who she is, and creating honest music, that’s all I could ask for.