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Question 10

The speaker says approving others’ sins is “nearly as serious” as committing them, then quotes Chrysostom (“he that praises sin is far worse”) and Ambrosiaster (“consent is participation”)—what would “silent approval” look like in church life (teaching, small talk, hiring, weddings, membership), and what costs might faithfulness require if society demands approval?

Another way to ask: What could “silent approval” of sin look like in a church (teaching, conversations, hiring, weddings, membership), and what might it cost Christians if society expects them to approve?

Direct Answer Based on the transcript, “silent approval” would mean refusing to condemn what God condemns and instead giving acceptance—whether through words, silence, or cooperation—when Christians should speak truth; this is treated as participation in sin. Faithfulness may bring real consequences, as society increasingly demands not just tolerance but approval.

Support from Transcript:

Theme stated: “Approving of other sins is nearly as serious as committing those sins ourselves,” and Romans 1 ends with “they…approve of those who do them.”
Chrysostom is quoted: “He that praises sin is far worse than even he that commits it,” explained as praising without taking the risk.
Ambrosiaster: “Consent is participation…to accept such things when they should be condemned is to give silent approval.”
The speaker applies this to church confession, not politics: “we’re…talking about what we say in our churches, what we believe and teach.”
He says the world “wants everyone else to approve,” and warns, “we cannot compromise with the world.”
He gives a concrete example of cost: the Colorado baker who refused a wedding cake faced legal pressure; he expects persecution may start this way.

Discussion Follow-ups Where are churches most tempted to offer “silent approval”—by avoiding certain texts, redefining membership expectations, or celebrating what Scripture condemns? What losses are you willing to accept to avoid “consent is participation”?

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