Chip and Joanna Gaines Disappoint Biblical Christians...Again

NBC News announced last month that "Television personality Chip Gaines defended the inclusion of a same-sex couple in 'Back to the Frontier,' a new show featuring him and his wife, Joanna, about families who give up technology and try to live as homesteaders did in the 1800s."

NBC said, "The show features married couple Jason Hanna and Joe Riggs and their 10-year-old twin sons, sparking backlash from prominent religious conservatives online."

It was a profound disappointment to many of us.

Chip made an effort to explain. Some accepted his explanation. Some did not. It seems he didn't care what anyone thought.

Now Chip and Joanna have done it again.

What are they thinking?

Why are they embracing homosexual behavior, while even corporate America is pushing back and cutting ties with the so-called "Pride Parades" this year?

Be informed, not misled.

Very disappointing.

NBC said, "Franklin Graham, the son of evangelical pastor/evangelist Billy Graham, said in a post on social media that the casting of a gay couple is 'very disappointing.'”

He continued: “While we are to love people, we should love them enough to tell them the truth of God’s Word,” Graham said. “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.”

NBC said, "Gaines responded to the criticism in a social media post Sunday, encouraging people to ask questions and 'maybe even learn. '”

He added, “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.”

Talk, ask qustns, 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💔

— Chip Gaines (@chipgaines) July 13, 2025

Shame on you, Chip. You should know better than that.

Responding to the backlash from some conservatives on social media, Hanna, one of the men in the same-sex couple, thanked Chip and Joanna Gaines on his Instagram story Tuesday for “leading with love, listening, and learning.”

“Representation matters deeply — especially for those who are still finding the courage to live their truth,” she said in a longer post responding. “When families like ours are visible, it opens doors for others to feel safe, loved, and validated. Visibility isn’t just about being seen; it’s about making sure no one feels alone.”

Normalizing what is not normal.

The Gaineses have faced backlash before, but more often from those who support LGBTQ rights. They attend the Antioch Community Church, an evangelical church in Waco, Texas, which opposes same-sex marriage.

In a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Joanna Gaines said accusations that the couple is racist and anti-LBGTQ are “so far from who we really are” and that the criticism is “the stuff that keeps me up.” 

People Magazine quoted Hanna, "Speaking to LGBTQ+ outlet Queerty, Hanna also called the experience “a great, amazing opportunity to normalize same-sex couples and same-sex families.”

People says, "Chip and Joanna have been open about the role faith plays in their lives. In 2016, BuzzFeed News raised questions about how those beliefs may have influenced their show Fixer Upper." 

Two months after the BuzzFeed News article was published, Chip addressed the controversy in a since-deleted blog post on the Magnolia Market website, calling for "unity despite differences."

Here's what he said:

“It’s not about what color your skin is, how much money you have in the bank, your political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender, nationality, or faith,” he continued, per BuzzFeed News. “That’s all fascinating, but it cannot add or take away from the reality that we’re already pulling for you. We are not about to get in the nasty business of throwing stones at each other, don’t ask us to, cause we won’t play that way."

Here they go again

Coming off the heels of the debate over the Gaineses’ decision to include a gay couple in the show “Back to the Frontier,” a program setting families out to try and live as people did in the 1800s, the Texas-based couple is once again drawing the ire of some Christians.

Editor Billy Hallowell, writing for Faithwire, says, "This time, though, the consternation surrounds another show called 'Roller Jam,' which aired last year.

Despite not being renewed for a second season, clips of “Roller Jam” are making the rounds on social media, with influencers and others highlighting LGBTQ messaging and imagery in the six-episode series.

“Two clips from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ new ‘family-friendly’ reality TV show, which features a queer activist as host, a crossdressing judge who wears ladies’ clothes in every episode, and an all-LGBTQ skate team,” Protestia posted on social media, breaking down various elements of concern.

CBN News' and Faithwire editor Billy Hallowell explains the latest chaos surrounding the Gaines family:

“The Daily Wire’s” Megan Basham was among those who spoke out about “Roller Jam,” with the writer taking aim at some of Chip Gaines’ recent comments defending “Back to the Frontier.”

“This blows apart Chip’s pretense that they are merely trying to be kind and understanding to individuals who identify as LGBTQ,” she said. “They are clearly using their positions and influence to promote disordered sexuality and gender behavior.”

Christian blogger Jackie Chea added, “So basically, there’s absolutely no difference between what these two professing Christians produce and what the world produces. Fantastic.”

Other responses from former fans expressed grief over the couple’s direction.

Why?

The criticism has not come only from conservative commentators. Ordinary Christians across social media have joined in questioning why Chip and Joanna, who once cultivated a brand of faith-based living, would now use their influence to promote what Scripture clearly identifies as sin.

Takeaway

Romans 1:32 warns against not only practicing unrighteousness but also approving of those who do. Jesus Himself called His followers to be salt and light in a dark world (Matt. 5:13-16), not to conform to it.

The Gaineses’ journey illustrates the tension many believers face between cultural acceptance and biblical conviction. While kindness and compassion are non-negotiable in the Christian walk, affirming what God’s Word calls sin is not an option for those who profess to follow Christ.

Faith and Compromise.

The Gaineses have not issued a full statement in response to the criticism. To date, Chip’s cryptic Bible verse posts remain their only acknowledgment of the controversy.

As their projects increasingly reflect worldly values rather than biblical truth, Chip and Joanna Gaines face a question that every Christian must answer: Will they conform to culture, or will they stand firm on the Word of God?

To whom much is given, much will be required.

Pray for Chip and Joanna.

Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Prayerful.