An Episcopal pastor at a church not far from the White House has been chosen to replace evangelical pastor Louie Giglio for the official benediction at President Barack Obama's public inauguration on Jan. 21.
Inauguration day is fast approaching. But a different kind of inauguration has already taken place.
Frankly, I'm glad Giglio is not praying at Obama's inauguration. What would he pray for? Would he ask God to bless the most pro-gay, pro-abortion president in history?
The controversy surrounding Pastor Louie Giglio's invitation to pray at President Obama's second inaugural sounds a familiar refrain in the ongoing and escalating debate about the expression of orthodox Christian faith in public life.
The evangelical pastor chosen by President Obama to deliver the benediction at his inauguration ceremonies withdrew on Thursday following a furor over a sermon from the mid-1990s in which he denounced the gay rights movement and advocated efforts to turn gays straight.
A Christian pastor has been effectively disinvited from delivering an inaugural prayer because he believes and teaches Christian truth.