In the wake of the Alistair Begg controversy, I want to ask for the counsel of those who’ve communicated either for or against his advice.

This controversy started when a grandmother asked Begg about whether or not she should attend the same-sex wedding of her grandson. His counsel in favor of her attending the wedding caused quite an uproar, to say the least.

As a result of his advice to this grandmother, he was dropped from American Family Radio’s lineup and disinvited from John MacArthur’s Shepherds Conference.

Many (prominent) Christians wrote and spoke against his counsel, including Steve Lawson who issued a clear rebuke: “I want you to know that the answer is absolutely no.”

Since the Alistair Begg Controversy revolves around whether or not Begg gave the right biblical counsel in a specific instance, I have a question for all who’ve communicated either for or against his advice.

Your Counsel

While the following question may be an unexpected curveball, please bear with me.

If John MacArthur had a legitimate opportunity to help distribute 2,156 Bibles to his persecuted brothers and sisters, without any cost or effort on his part, should he do so?

To give you some background: from 2013-2023, AmazonSmile generated over $400,000,000 for U.S. charities, including churches and ministries.

Needless to say, many were reached and helped with the additional funds.

While Amazon terminated their program, The Cause of Christ offers an affiliate program that involves classic Christian books.

Instead of only receiving 0.5% for each qualifying purchase, as was with AmazonSmile, every affiliate will receive 50% for each purchase.

I reached out to John MacArthur and asked him to help distribute Bibles to his persecuted brothers and sisters.

Furthermore, I offered him the option to put any “classic Christian book package” together for only $4.00.

And, if he desired certain classic books that I haven’t made available yet, I would do my best to make those books available to him and his “book package.”

Here’s the good news…

If only 1% of his 647,000 Facebook followers were to buy his recommended “book package,” he would distribute 2,156 Bibles to his persecuted brothers and sisters, without any cost or effort on his part.

Just using his God-given influence for good of the persecuted church.

Obviously, a 2% participation would distribute 4,313 Bibles.

Here’s my request for your counsel…

On the basis of biblical grounds, should John MacArthur make use of such a free, simple, and easy opportunity to help distribute God’s word to Jesus’ persecuted brothers and sisters?

What do you counsel him to do?

Biblical directives…

Obviously, the Bible isn’t silent when we have an opportunity to help others.

Paul wrote: “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (Gal. 6:9-10).

Needless to say, to help distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters is certainly an excellent opportunity to “do good . . . especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

Jesus said: “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 7:12).

Undoubtedly, if John MacArthur would be a persecuted Christian without a Bible, he would want pastors in the West to make use of every legitimate opportunity to help distribute Bibles to the persecuted church.

As an illustration…

If a firefighter had a simple and easy opportunity to rescue a sixth child from a home that’s about to collapse and didn’t do so, even though he had rescued the other five children, he would either be severely reprimanded, put on leave, or fired.

The media would be all over him.

His refusal to make use of that opportunity would be considered as absolutely inexcusable.

And, if he would be a speaker at an upcoming firefighter conference, he would probably be removed from the lineup.

Should firefighters have a higher moral code than pastors?

In all seriousness…

The Alistair Begg controversy is about giving the right, biblical, moral advice about attending a same-sex wedding.

My request for your counsel is about the right, biblical, moral advice about a free, simple, and easy opportunity to help distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters.

If John MacArthur refuses to make use of such an opportunity, should there be a media outrage for him not doing so?

Will Steve Lawson offer a strong rebuke about not making use of such an opportunity: “I want you to know that the answer is absolutely yes when it comes to Galatians 6:10.”

Or, will Todd Friel come up with a video about the HIGHLY controversial practice of not wanting to help distribute God’s word.

Will Justin Peters have a video entitled: “Can a Christian refuse to help his persecuted brothers and sisters?” Will Justin still be able to recommend John MacArthur’s ministry?

No, I don’t have anything against these Christian leaders.

Not at all!

Here’s my only issue: if Alistair Begg gave seriously wrong advice to this grandmother, will you also address the seriously wrong practice if John MacArthur refuses to make use of a free, simple and easy opportunity to help distribute (more) Bibles to Jesus‘ persecuted brothers and sisters?

Without question, AmazonSmile has proven that an affiliate program can be an excellent source for free money, including for the distribution of God’s word.

What will you counsel him to do?

In Christ Alone,

Mr. Jan Blonk

P.S. For those who are interested in helping distribute Bibles to our persecuted brothers and sisters, here’s the link with all the info.