Est Reading Time: 7 mins

We’re about to drop a bomb, and we pray you seek shelter in the Word of God: let the drag queens read to the children.

Drag Queen Story Hour has dominated the news and conversations of both Christians and non-Christians here in Greenville, SC. At one of the local branches of the library, drag queens (men who dress in women’s clothes) have been invited to read to the children during a story hour in February. It’s called “Drag Queen Story Hour” and is not an isolated event. They are popping up nationally. It is an organized movement and rife with controversy. Consequently, you’ve probably seen arguments on both sides filling up your social media feed and news headlines. If not, hold on; you probably will.

Drag Queen Story Hour

Here are the facts:

There is an organized movement to have Drag Queen Story Hour events at libraries across the nation. Some of the books read may deal with acceptance, inclusion, and gender-fluidity.

These are free, open-to-the-public activities.

No one is required to attend. (It would be a whole different story if they were.)

Traditionally, libraries are considered neutral places, open to individuals from all walks of life.

Christians’ Concerns

Within the Christian community, the dominant voice seems to be one of outrage and provocation. For example, there is a petition that has been started, advocated by both Christian and conservative circles, to try and stop Drag Queen Story Hour events from happening. There is also talk of picketing. The reasons for advocating against the event vary and are personal for many. For instance, one reason is to keep children from being exposed to damaging, confusing, and/or immoral behavior. Another is to keep the American culture free from glorifying the cross-dressing and/or homosexual lifestyles. Likewise, some see this as a degeneration from wholesome, Christian values which threaten the breakdown of our society.

If He were here, however, Jesus’ stance, as a man and as God, may surprise us. As with so many other issues, the Christian community often allows feelings and fears to dominate where Jesus commanded love and free will.

The Age-Old Battle

Sin is not new to our world. Further, the struggles surrounding this controversy are not unique. For example, Jesus’ Rome was rampant with sexual and moral temptations (Rom. 13:13). It was not uncommon for well-to-do men to have sexual engagements with young boys (children!); slaves were expected to be at the mercy of their owners (male, female, young, old) and were often taken advantage of in physical and sexual ways; orgies were a common part of the social scene. In short: no, sin is definitely not new to our culture.

God’s Design

To the disappointment of almost everyone, Jesus did not come bearing a weapon, wearing a crown, and ridding Rome of its sin. He came in a manger, embodied in humanity, radically defying many of the religious convictions in the Jewish community. He never condoned nor advocated sin! But He didn’t eradicate it from the hearts or lives of humanity either. Rather, He came to set an example of righteousness and make a path for redemption – not without sin, but from the bondage to it (Heb. 7:18-19).

Let’s go back further, though, to the Garden. God did not make robots. Adam and Eve were endowed with free will; they chose to disobey God (Rom. 5:12). He could have created them in all perfection, without the ability to choose, but He did not. So shouldn’t this say something to us in how He desires and expects us to act? He could have forced humanity to conform to His rules, but He didn’t. So why are we now trying to do just that?

Set Apart

God’s people are to be set apart, just as the Israelites were set apart (1 Pet. 2:9). On this side of the cross, however, God desired to graft His kingdom of the chosen with Jews and Gentiles (Eph. 2:11-13). He commanded His people to no longer remain physically apart, but to redeem culture by going into all the nations, proclaiming Him in word and deed. In this way, they were to be different from the cultures in which they lived. They were to be beacons of righteousness, not condoning nor partaking in sin (John 17:15-18). And when they failed, they were to repent and strive anew. Christians, do not excuse, ignore, nor advocate sin! But do not require righteousness without the God who grants it (Rom. 3:21-25).

Fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, hear me clearly when I beg of you to be set apart. Be different. And understand that in order to do that, the world around cannot, and should not, conform to the same moral laws as you (Rom. 4:13). You are to be DIFFERENT; they are not to be the same.

This is a hard truth. It is territory that makes us afraid. What if our children see these things and become confused? What if they are desensitized to the sin? One day, what if they grow to accept these sins as their own? Oh, the ‘what ifs.’ There is no end to them. So, instead of stand on this shifting sand of hypotheticals, let’s root ourselves firmly to the rock of Truth.

A Big God

God is sovereign. He is always in control. And He is bigger than anything this world has to offer. He is able to command the wind, to shake the earth, to set fire to the sky. Our Lord is not to be under-estimated! Should He choose, He could bend the knee of every heart, and not just those alive today, but those of all time (Rom. 14:11). If He wanted, He could eradicate every sin and every evil. We believe that one day, He will. And that day will be a terrible day, filled with sorrow and horror (Rev. 20:11-15).

But until that day comes, God does not desire all men to outwardly conform to His standards. In fact, He despises such actions (Matt. 23:27-28). He wants the circumcised hearts of men, women, and children, who know Him, love Him, and submit to Him (Rom. 2:28-29). And nothing less.

Pick Your Battles

This is why we are reminding ourselves and challenging our fellow Christians to choose our battles wisely. We cannot be a people who cry wolf at every humanistic or futile occurance in the non-believing world. Be on your guard, ready to wage battle for the hearts and minds of humanity, when the Lord stirs them, and to defend your rights to faith and practice. Be willing to fight against the atrocities that infringe on God-given rights to all mankind (slavery, human trafficking, abortion, genocide, and the like). Lend your voice to the voiceless and be an advocate for the downtrodden. And never, never back down, even unto death, from the saving convictions you have.

But please do not be blown off course by the wind and waves of the storm around. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, your hearts tuned to His passions, and your feet ready to go where He leads. Most importantly, when the world falls apart all around you, and humanity is screaming for a cure from their maladies, be ready with the healing balm of your Savior. But do not run around, trying to fix band-aids on those who don’t know they’re bleeding yet. Let the Lord draw their attention to their wounds by the comparison of your own healing (Matt. 5:16). Because such wounds will fester with or without your covering. Hence, they don’t need to be removed from sight, they need to be exposed to the Healer, who works from the inside out.

Let’s Recap

Should your children be exposed to such an event if it is contradictory to your personal beliefs? No.

Should you advocate a Gospel of acceptance of sin without repentance? No.

Should you compromise your values and beliefs in order to conform to the world around? No.

Should you fight for the rights and freedoms of others, that they may know and worship the Lord, should they so choose? Yes.

Should you pray for the Lord’s will to be done in and through events, even such as these? Yes.

Should you ask the Lord to give you opportunities to be salt and light where the world is bland and dark? Yes.

Now what?

Firstly, consider the narrative you are telling. Are you proclaiming a God who rejects the sinful or one who welcomes the fallen? Do others perceive your attitude as embodying grace in love or fear and hate? Do your actions and speech welcome the unrighteous into conversation or drive them further from the Cross by proving accurate the stereotypes of ‘Christians’ as being hypocritical, intolerant, higher-than-thou caricatures? Moreover, could the Lord be calling you to step out in faith and boldly love someone who differs with you, in the hope that they may come to know the God you do?

Do This.

Let us offer some alternate options for you to act on, instead of protesting and bemoaning the heathen indulgences of modern America.

Pray! For the hosts and the attendees of Drag Queen Story Hour. Pray that the Lord would work in ways that only He can.

Consider attending this event or others like it – as an adult. Personally, we recommend you go without your young children. That is to say, we are not advocating that you blindly expose your children to all the ways of the world! Be discerning.

Should you attend, consider inviting some of the hosts (drag queens) to lunch or coffee. Your intent should not be to preach at them, but to get to know the individuals, their stories, and their hearts. If the Lord provides the opportunity, share the Gospel’s good news. But if He does not, do not be discouraged. Let Him do the work; you are just the vessel.

Consider engaging with others in discussions around Drag Queen Story Hour and the issues surrounding it. Lead with love, not judgment. You have the remedy to all the world’s woes. Rather than shriek about how sick everyone is, tell them how you were once ill and Who made you whole again.

Volunteer to host a story hour at your local library branch. Get your church or Bible study group involved. If possible, read a Bible story or Christian storybook – or just a fun one! In addition, pray that the Lord would open up the opportunity for a relationship with the workers at the library and attendees. Because this is how we combat sin: by introducing the world to the God who can defeat it.

Disagree with us? Respectfully share your view in the comments. Agree with us? Respectfully share your view in the comments.

Think. Apply. Love.

We are not God. Therefore, our stance is not inerrant. You must obey the Spirit when He tells you to speak or go, but you must also obey when He tells you to be silent or still. Always, let your deeds speak louder than your words. And be vigilant in aligning your words and actions with His. Strive to be ready in your knowledge, prepared with God’s truth, and radical in your willingness to love. In short, think critically, apply Biblically, and love unconditionally.