Chip and Joanna Gaines are well-loved in the Christian community. In the 2010s, they created a show called “Fixer Upper,” in which they flipped houses, transforming what was dusty, crumbling, and broken into something beautiful and functional. They have subsequently expanded their empire with a lifestyle brand called Magnolia, an eponymous TV network, and a partnership with Target called Hearth & Hand. They are examples of Christians who have been able to succeed in a culture that is increasingly anti-Christian. With that success, though, have come compromises.
In 2020, after the George Floyd riots, the Gaines family participated in a conversation with former NFL star Emmanuel Acho about how to talk to their kids about race. In their defense, this in and of itself wasn’t unusual — at the time, everyone was trying to figure out how to navigate the vitriol of Black Lives Matter and critical race theory. However, in 2021, the Gaineses did not speak out against Target when that superstore decided to promote tucking underwear and chest binders for children. As prominent Christians who have a Target brand, this would have been an appropriate time to stand against transgender-themed children’s merchandise. And yet, they said nothing.
A more recent compromise has the Gaineses in hot water once again. Chip and Joanna are executive producers of a new show called “Back to the Frontier.” It’s rated TV-14 and is set to appear on HBO — these facts alone should give discerning observers pause. In the show, three families give up modern-day conveniences and live as pioneers like they would have in the 1880s. “Back to the Frontier” is a social experiment that offers families an opportunity to reconnect relationally, disconnect from digital distractions, and live a simpler way of life.
One of the three families comprises two dads and their twin boys conceived through surrogacy. Many fans were shocked and upset that Chip and Joanna, long believed to be followers of Christ, signed off on this family being featured. Nevertheless, the Gaineses are doubling down by excoriating the criticism.
Christians are sad and disappointed because this promotion of a deviant lifestyle and broken family structure falls far outside of God’s design. If you believe in the Bible and that God is the creator of the universe who invented marriage and defined the family makeup, then this promotion is antithetical.
“I hope this isn’t true,” Reverend Franklin Graham posted on X, “but I read today that Chip and Joanna Gaines are featuring a gay couple in their new series. If it is true, it is very disappointing. While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God’s Word. His Word is absolute truth. God loves us, and His design for marriage is between one man and one woman. Promoting something that God defines as sin is in itself sin.”
Chip Gaines addressed the concerns of his fellow Christians as follows: “Talk, ask [questions], listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never. It’s a sad sunday when ‘non believers’ have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian”
First things first: Genuine American Christians aren’t unique in their desire to follow the teachings of the Bible. That is universal among God’s true church. Moreover, Chip is defining “hate” and “judging” as the world does. In that sense, by defying historic Christianity, Gaines himself is the “modern American Christian.”
Christian journalist Megan Basham wrote in response:
It’s very sad to see you accepting the world’s definition of love rather than Scripture’s. God defines what love is, we do not. And it is not loving to encourage people to continue in lifestyles that will ultimately condemn them for eternity. In an interview, the two gentlemen on your show made it clear that their hope is that this program and their participation in it will convince more people to view two men of the same sex as in a legitimate marriage, which, in God’s eyes, can never be. I would encourage you to watch [Becket Cook’s] program and listen to the testimonies of the many wonderful brothers and sisters who have come out of this lie and … now have the joy of salvation. That is what Christians should be about. Snatching souls from the fire, not applauding them until they get there.
Cook, who lived a homosexual lifestyle before being saved by Christ, also responded:
Respectfully, Chip, that doesn’t work. You can’t platform a gay family on your show, further normalizing it, and cry foul. You’re intentionally or unintentionally leading many astray. Of course, we need to love our gay neighbors, but we also need to tell the truth. This is how I was led to the Lord. Not by squishy Christians, but by loving Christians who told me the truth.
Babylon Bee managing editor Joel Berry said:
You’ll see no hate from me. I’m just sad. I can’t let my kids watch your show now, since I’m trying to protect their eyes and hearts from the lies of the world — lies you’re now participating in. Also, filter out some of the online vitriol and consider taking to heart some of the substantive concerns and heartbreak from the Christians who make up your fanbase. We should love the sinner — that doesn’t mean we celebrate and promote the sin and participate in the multibillion dollar industry dedicated to destroying the family.
Chip responded flippantly to Berry with, “Don’t be sad Joel.. plenty of other stuff out there. I’m sure everyone will be fine. BUT I sincerely appreciate the advice about taking some of the thoughtful, heartfelt, encouraging constructive criticism to heart.. and I certainly will.”
Chip’s argument is disheartening. The point is that there actually isn’t a whole lot of wholesome content available for our kids to watch. We can barely let them consume supposedly child-friendly programming without having to prescreen it and ensure there aren’t objectionable ideas or actions in it.
At the end of the day, this isn’t really about another reality TV show featuring a homosexual couple. That’s a dime a dozen. In fact, if you only watch reality TV, you might come away thinking that being gay is much more prevalent than it truly is. The real issue is that the Gaineses have compromised on their Christian values and their wholesome brand. Furthermore, when confronted with what’s right or what’s easy, they go with what’s easy. As humans, they have every right to do that — but as Christians, we don’t get to use the name of Christ to do so. To paraphrase podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey, you can’t “out-nice” or “out-compassion” God. Claiming that you can and doubling down on promoting sin hurts both the faithful and the nonbeliever.
Finally, I’d encourage Chip and Joanna to mull over Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
