“Ray Boltz, who sold about 4.5 million records before retiring from Christian music a few years ago, came out of the closet Friday to announce that he’s gay.
“I’d denied it ever since I was a kid,” Boltz, 55, told the magazine. “I became a Christian, I thought that was the way to deal with this and I prayed hard and tried for 30-some years and then at the end, I was just going, ‘I’m still gay. I know I am.’ And I just got to the place where I couldn’t take it anymore … when I was going through all this darkness, I thought, ‘Just end this.’”
Boltz will perform in September at (two Bible mocking, Christ-dishonouring, wicked acceptance of that which is abomination before God) congregations that are part of a growing network of churches that are not biblical in any aspect.
Boltz is known for his songs “Thank You”, “Watch the Lamb,” “The Anchor Holds,” and “I Pledge Allegiance to the Lamb.”
Boltz also told (a homosexual newspaper) that he doesn’t want to get into debates about Scripture and has no plans to “go into First Baptist or an Assembly of God church and run in there and say, ‘I’m gay and you need to love me anyway.’”
For him, the decision to come out is much more personal.
“This is what it really comes down to,” he says. “If this is the way God made me, then this is the way I’m going to live. It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be … I really feel closer to God because I no longer hate myself.”
******************** – Emphasis in the above is mine.
Our hearts break for the misery that this man is putting his family through. What is sad is that many will simply reject the man out of hand without any prayer for repentance. This is not what we are doing or advocating to our readers. If it was not for the grace of God, it could be any one of us struggling with such sins. However, to be biblical, ALL of our sins are just as heinous as each others.
I am thankful that God is a forgiving God, and a merciful God. He can forgive Ray Boltz just as He does with us when we sin against His holiness. Sadly, there is nothing in anything that I have read that would indicate ANY remorse for sin. This goes beyond the recognition that Ray’s sins are no worse than ours. The situation here is that a man who claims the name of Christ is deliberately, willfully and consistently breaking the commands of Scripture with nothing but excuses for his wicked, perverted, immoral behavior and lifestyle.
Ray states that he “became a Christian” because he thought it was the way to deal with the perversions of his mind. Wrong answer! I became a true believer (a Christian) because the Lord Jesus Christ convicted me of my sins and I realized that I was headed for a Christ-less eternity unless I came by grace through faith alone and accepted the finished work of Calvary! I didn’t come to Christ (and neither does any other true believer) as a way to deal with trying to overcome sins or to better myself.
His statement about not wanting to get into debates about Scripture marks Ray as one who delights in his sin. In doing so, he seeks to make a mockery of the Word of God in many different areas.
He concludes that “It’s not like God made me this way and he’ll send me to hell if I am who he created me to be.” Mr. Boltz, I am afraid that you are VERY WRONG! God did not make you or anyone else to live a perverted lifestyle that demeans His creation of man, and the institution of marriage which God ordained to be between 1 man and one woman. And, yes, if there is NO REPENTANCE, God will send you and many others to hell – but the reason will be because you reject the truth of Scripture and remain in unbelief.
One last note, what Scripture verse tells us that we draw closer or feel closer to God because we don’t hate ourselves anymore. What a load of new-age nonsense! The ONLY way we will ever draw close to God is by cleansing our hands, we who are sinners. Cleansing our hands does not take place when we choose to live in habitual sin which is condemned by God.
Our decision is that we cannot condone Ray in any aspect of his life or his music. We have made the decision that this man who has been living a lie for all of these years is one who from whom we are to separate. I can no more permit his music to remain a part of my selection than I could Elton John or Kirk Talley (for the Southern Gospel music afficionados). I believe to do so would be an affront to the holiness of God. Others may choose differently, but they only have to answer to God.
“As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” – Joshua 24:15
Praying for godly sorrow and repentance,
The Desert Pastor
Christ Alone Wyoming 
I pray that our Lord will come quickly. This is really sad news, but don not lose heart God has overcome the world. Guard your hearts for it the well spring of life. God’s word is perfect He is trustworthy. Please do not take your eyes off of Him. He will keep us until that Day. Thank you Lord for your love.
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I have not heard this until your post…….it’s one of those things that make you go ‘huh’?
Hopefully he will repent and trust Christ to save him from his sins.
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Thank you for your faithfulness and for the TRUTH! This is truly sad and shows just how far we have fallen as a society. I will be praying for Ray and his family. I’ve read so many blogs and responses about this and so many people (and the really sad thing is that a lot are professing Christian) defend his Choice. Well, actually they say it’s not a choice and that God made him this way. This is a choice and it is Sin. Ray has shown no remorse, guilt or any indication that he will repent. I have to believe that he has never been a Christian. If he became a Christian to try and deal with his personal perversions and has never had a personal relationship with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, he has no understanding of grace, mercy, repentance or anything else biblical and there for is lost. That is way he does not want to debate scripture, because he knows he is wrong. Even Satan believes in God and that Jesus was the son of God and died for our sins. My heart is broken but I know God will use this for the glory of His Kingdom.
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it’s funny how homosexuality is the only sin I hear that “God made me this way.” what if I was a thief and said, “God made me this way.” Or an axe murderer, “God made me this way.” or an adulterer and said, “God made me this way.” I have never heard anyone else say this, only homosexuality. I do hate it for Christ and His beauty sake. I too will be praying because I know if not for the grace of God, I would be there too!
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As a former homosexual saved by God’s grace, may I say upfront, God did NOT make me commit sexually immoral, perverted acts. I CHOSE to do such horrendous things, and NEVER would I stoop so low as to blame a HOLY GOD. James 1:13,14 are verses that this lost soul desperately needs to grab hold of. This man was cherishing this ‘hidden sin’ for years, and finally he acted upon his own lustful desires. It is heartbreaking that so many homosexuals think God will ‘accept’ their abomination, they sin against a Holy God and still claim to be Christian. I am convinced MOST PEOPLE do not know the true meaning of the word ‘Christian’.
I praise our Sovereign God for His grace and mercy, for I know what a wretch of a sinner I was, and He has shown favor to me, He humbled me and saved me. Christ faced the wrath of God, took upon Himself the punishment for the sins of mankind, and was the propitiation for all sin. Thank you KING JESUS!
May Almighty God save this man, and spare him what his sins deserve, just as He has spared me. May he not be turned over to a depraved mind; rather, may he be humbled and saved by Almighty God.
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First I would like to say that you obviously have some very committed believers reading your blog. That is encouraging to me. I would also like to say that I agree with everything you wrote, but I especially like two things. One, you encouraged your readers to not just sit in judgment wagging their fingers at Ray but to pray for him. This is a lesson I learned the hard way because I tended to get on my high horse and look down on the sins of others. I thank God that He has taught me to see my own sin as He sees it and that I should pray when I see someone else fall into sin. Two, you made it a point to say that ALL sin offends God and but for his grace, we too would be guilty of the sins we see others commit. Both of those are very brave statements and I think it is a stance that should be taken more often.
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I have heard this before but I have never read in the Holy Bible that all sins are the same; an abomination????? For example; when King David committed adultery with Bath-Sheba it was sinful, however I never read that it was an abomination{he certainly did not receive the death penalty but if he would have been caught in an act with a man then his kingship probably would have been somewhat shortened with a rocky ending}…. Could someone please give me scripture where to find that all sins are an abomination???? However, I believe while muttering through scripture it specifically depicts homosexuality as an abomination, unless I am mistaken… I never read that eating too much, a child stealing a piece of gum or perhaps angry thoughts (too include all sins) are all abominations?
One last thing, I think Ray is wise, by not wanting to get into a debate thing concerning scripture, which for him would be like becoming the “Entertainment Director on the Titanic”. Truly a sad situation and absolutely, he needs prayer, along with the rest of us
Jesus is Lord
LML
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Here is a good start for you. Would recommend using a Bible program to look up the word (and associated words) abomination.
Proverbs 6:16-19, “These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.”
The Hebrew word for abomination means, something disgusting (morally); an abhorrence (especially idolatry or an idol); an abominable custom or thing.
That pretty much puts ALL sin under the category of abomination. Every sin is repulsive to God, and is morally wrong. It is also the worship of something or someone other than God is idolatry.
The Desert Pastor
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I could not have written a better post than this. Very well stated.
We need to pray for him and his family, but most of all that the Lord will be exalted in all of this.
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Greetings Desert Pastor,
I was sort of being somewhat facetious on my part concerning that all sins were or were not an abomination.
However, I still believe that some supposed sins are and some aren’t blanket abominations. If one looks at the entire scriptures to include both the New Testament and Torah (the old) then I believe that there are around 373 different sins listed, which are listed also in the Dakes Bible. I still stand that not all sins are an abomination, (against God’s plan of nature), to God. Before you chop off my head, (just kidding), here are some examples; In the old law pulling an animal out of a ditch on the Sabbath was a sin, so was that too an abomination? Lord Jesus and his disciples eating wheat (some Bibles depict corn), whereas the Pharisees and the Sadducees tried to rebuke him and his followers for eating on the Sabbath, whereas Jesus rebuked them and enlightened them that he was the Sabbath and everyday with him was the Sabbath. Certainly, Lord Jesus didn’t sin or commit an abomination; he was the covenant.….. Also didn’t King David and his men take and eat food, (presentation loaves), from an altar; certainly he didn’t commit an abomination? See my point? I do agree with the seven sins that you listed, from the scripture, as being an abomination. However, do we really look at all things literally as abominations? Jesus certainly didn’t.
CHAPTER 12
Jesus rebukes the sabbatarians
12:1-2 – It happened then that Jesus passed through the cornfields on the Sabbath day. His disciples were hungry and began picking the ears of wheat and eating them. But the Pharisees saw them do it. “There, you see,” they remarked to Jesus, “your disciples are doing what the Law forbids them to do on the Sabbath.”
12:3-4 – “Haven’t any of you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?” replied Jesus, “- how he went into the house of God and ate the presentation loaves, which he and his followers were not allowed to eat since only priests can do so?
12:5-8 – “Haven’t any of you read in the Law that every Sabbath day priests in the Temple can break the Sabbath and yet remain blameless? I tell you that there is something more important than the Temple here. If you had grasped the meaning of the scripture ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice’, you would not have been so quick to condemn the innocent! For the Son of Man is master even of the Sabbath.”
Jesus is Lord
LML
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What a shame for Ray to have fallen this way. Yes, let’s all pray for him and exhort him to not live this way. Here’s a brief article I wrote on an imaginary discussion between Ray and Jesus:
http://shawnbarr.wordpress.com/2008/09/26/ray-boltz-talks-to-jesus/
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Dear Readers, I have been a fan of ray Boltz music for a number of years now. I have memorized the song Watch the lamb, and sung it many times. I have been awakened by what has happened with Ray Boltz. What I mean by awakened is that His Return is soon. Ray Boltz is NO different than the next man, he’s just made a name for himself and that’s the sad part. many will follow him now,a nd will reject the God of the bible with their own lifestyle. Ray Boltz is not the enemy here, it’s who he has decided to serve now. Christians, I plead with you, it’s Past Time to get down on our knews and ask God to begin that Revival in each of our hearts. The devil is smiling now at the choice that Ray Boltz has made and that many others will make. I have just heard that Kirk Talley is also homosexual, and it just rips at my heart. Whoelse will it be, that steps over the line to the devils side. Let’s Pray, christians, and STOP pointing fingers, that God may be glorified and that our lives will continue to shine, regardless of what Ray Boltz or anybody else decides to do. remember, our enemy is the devil, so let’s continue to fight, but with the true armor of God, Read Eph, 6. Thank you!!
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By chance, I came across this page! I am so sad to hear about one of my favorite Christian singer, Ray Boltz is a homosexual! This is so sad for me as I really loved all his songs very much; but I guess now I will no longer want to listen to him singing all those beautiful Christian songs while refusing to die to himself and his life-style and believes that God made him like that!!! How sad; how ignorant is Ray about God’s Holy Word! It is not God who creates men or women as such but sin (the evil one) when he is allowed to enter or invade a person’s life! Ray seriously needs to repent, turn away from this sexual perverted life-style, surrender his life completely to Jesus by dying to those urges, asking and praying to God to strengthen him and help over-come this abominable life-style! Otherwise, he will definately end up in hell without any hope forever!!! Ray, it is not worth it! Our life on earth can be compared to a drop of water in an ocean! Life on earth is so temporary and short; it just isn’t worth it! Please surrender and ask Jesus to help you before it is too late! It is not God who condemn us to hell, but sin does as there is consequences to sin which is punishment and suffering! Please, ask Jesus to change you as there is nothing impossible with God! For you, it may be impossible but not for God! H is waiting for your complete surrender and return back to Him!
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I too loved Ray Boltz’s music and was shocked to hear that he is gay.
We ARE to love all people as Christ commanded.
We are to condemn sin however.
It seems the premise of the message of gay ministers, evangelists and singers is always to promote the gay lifestyle as acceptable, and justifiable somehow through God’s Word…not possible folks!
I ask you, how long should we be willing to allow a new person into our congregation who is an open and practicing homosexual and let him or her sit in the front row of pews in our church?
I will admit, in an attempt to minister to, or correct this person, there must be a period of of grace to allow for repentance, but…if that person is not open to that, we have to oust that person eventually else this sin and others will infect the church and soon, everything will be allowed under the guise of the, “We should love everybody.” doctrine. Love the sinner…hate the sin!
The sin of homosexuality is impossible to justify by the Bible! I don’t need to quote every scripture that deals with it.
We WILL love gays, but not allow them to sit in our pews indefinitely.
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My family has been so blessed by the music of Ray Boltz over the years, so when I read about Ray I my heart was greived. I know that God is not suprised at this, and since we are created in His image and we have the mind of Christ we should treat this the same way He does, right? I know that is shocking for alot of people but can you imagine how awesome and glorifying to our Father it will be when we all see Ray come back to the heart of the Christ? The music that God gave him to write tells me that Ray knows the truth about His Father. We all have momentary lapses of one kind or another, so who are we to judge? Ray Boltz is a man just like anyother man, the only difference is he was is the lime light and he fell.
Gods love for him is far more than we could ever understand. We first have to live from the greatfulness of the gift that we have been given in our salvation, then we will be able to give it away to others in need.
We are all learning as we go, thank God for His Grace.
I can’t wait to see Ray Boltz come back to the truth, especially about himself and who he really is in Christ.
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Linda,
I am not sure if I am reading you correctly but I dont agree with your statements regarding ‘who are we to judge’ and ‘God’s love for Him is far more than we could ever understand’.
I’d say that we are called to judge. Judge with a righteous judgement but judge none the less.
As for God’s love for him, well that is debatable beacuse homosexuals are in sin. Sodomites cannot live and die as sodomites and go to heaven.
Did you read Desert Pastors critque above?
He puts it very well.
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Linda
I wanted to comment on your statement ‘I can’t wait to see Ray Boltz come back to the truth, especially about himself and who he really is in Christ’.
Ray Boltz’ actions prove he never really loved truth, or Christ. He is proving who he really is, an unregenerate who loves darkness more than light. A true believer may fall into sin, but they will not stay in it. It appears Ray is quite happy with his new found sin. He condones it by saying God made him that way. If he were truly saved, he’d know better than this. To commit such a sin and then turn around and blame God shows the condition of his heart…unregenerate.
I saw no mention of repentance by Ray. It’s as though he’s relieved to get this out in the open. I pray the Lord will be gracious to Ray, and truly save him. There comes a time when a lost sinner reaches the point of no return, where God turns them over to the sin(s) they so dearly love. This is part of God’s judgment on the unrepentant sinner. Let us pray Ray does/has not reach that point with the Most High God.
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Ray’s songs have great identification with the human spirit, of that I don’t think anyone who has listened to his music can deny. “Thank You”, for instance, has had a great impact in my own life. Love that song, and its sentiments, and I really hope someone can say that about me when I pass away. Most of all, it described my dad, who wasn’t particularly concerned with being religious, as some folks define the term, but was in his heart a truly generous and caring man for the the plight of his fellow hurting human beings. Thus my choice of using ” Thank You’ as a keynote song at his funeral.
But, what I think is the greater issue here is not individual tolerance, or generosity, (and can’t we all look good to others by practicing that), but for our adherence and obedience to what the Lord wants, whether we “feel’ it’s right for us or not.
That’s where I think a lot of folks get confused, as to the difference.
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