I wasn’t aware Ray Boltz was as successful in Christian music circles as indicated in The Blade article, I only know I really like a lot of his work. He’s made 16 albums. Didn’t know that. Sold 4.5 million and isn’t known outside evangelical circles. Sad story really. He’s now 55 years old, he could never have had a career in religious evangelical music if he’d told the truth.
His ex-wife is now working with Soulforce.
Ray Boltz was tired of living a lie.
He’d gotten to a point nearly three years before where he couldn’t’t continue down the road his life had gone.
His 33-year marriage to ex-wife Carol was, he says, largely a happy one. It produced four children — three daughters and a son who are now between 22 and 32 — but family life and going through the motions of being straight had grown so wearying to Boltz, he was in a serious depression, had been in therapy for years, was on Prozac and other anti-depressants and had been, for a time, suicidal.
“I thought I hid it really well,†he says. “I didn’t know people could see what I was going through, the darkness and the struggle. After I came out to my family, one of my daughters said she was afraid to walk in my bedroom because she was afraid she’d find me — that I’d done something to myself. And I didn’t even know they’d picked it up.â€
The Boltz family remembers Dec. 26, 2004 for two reasons: the tsunami in the Indian Ocean but also the tsunami that their husband and father unleashed when he told them what had been bothering him for so many years.
He hadn’t planned a major announcement — but sitting around the kitchen table at his daughter’s house, Boltz’s son, Philip, asked him what was wrong.
“I thought, ‘Well, I can just do what I always do and hide the truth or I can take a risk and be honest,’†Boltz says. “That day, with the tsunami, has become very symbolic in our family.â€
Nobody was sure, at the time, what the ramifications of the revelation would be, least of all Ray.
“It’s hard to say I came out because I didn’t have all the answers. I just admitted what I was struggling with and what I was feeling. It’s hard to go, ‘This is the point where I accepted my sexuality and who I was,’ but I came out to them and shared with them what I’d been going through.â€
He isn’t interested in being a poster child, and now that he and his family have come to terms with his orientation, it’s doubtful “CCM’ audiences will. Producer Joe Hogue:
“There are a lot of closeted people in Christian music,†says Hogue, who now lives in California and works with gay singers like Nemesis and Jason & DeMarco. “And, you know, it’s not even really the artists that care about it so much, they just know their audience will.â€
No artist of Boltz’s prominence has come out. A few minor CCM players have, but their decisions were hardly celebrated.
…Marsha Stevens, a Jesus Movement songwriter famous for the Christian folk song, “For Those Tears I Died,†a favorite in youth camps and churches for decades, came out in 1980. She was famously renounced by Bill Gaither, whom she’d been photographed with at one of his “Homecoming†concerts, in 2006.
Kirk Talley, a Southern Gospel singer (a slightly different genre than CCM, though there’s some overlap of the players), confessed to struggling with homosexuality and came out in GQ in 2005. He’s continued singing in churches but only because he’s categorized his sexual orientation as a burden to be carried.
Talley initially declined to be interviewed for this story saying he’d “been through enough hell,†but did consent to one comment: “I will definitely be in prayer for Ray,†he said in an e-mail. “He has no idea the crap he will have to endure.â€
Good for Ray Boltz.
I’m sorry he has had to hide from himself, his family and his fans for so long, and I wish him and his family peace. I’ve had the opportunity to see him in concert, have a couple of his CD’s and I really didn’t know he was such a big ‘star.’ He’s a heck of a composer. Watch the Lamb. What if I gave all? Lion of Judah. The Hammer. Narrative, minimalist, in his performing he seems to get out of the way to let the music and the words reach the listener. Boltz the composer didn’t fall into the ‘me and Jesus’ themes that pervades CCM.
I don’t like the Gibson graphics on this video, but I’m putting it up to give people who have not heard Boltz an idea of why he succeeded in “CCM”; the evangelical music market.
Dorinda:
His music hasn’t changed, and I know this is difficult for some commenters to grasp – not all Christians think homosexuality is a sin.
Public admission of sexual orientation has nothing to do with the devil.
I’m beginning to wonder if this post wound up on a fundamentalist forum somewhere.
What does Boltz have to ‘make right?” Seems to me he has finally has. Being a CCM star isn’t worth hypocrisy, peace of mind, integrity and he and his family have chosen to leave a culture which has a tendency to willfully practise ignorance.
He left three years ago, if you read the article his family is doing well. Love doesn’t break when someone tells the truth.
I agree, prayer is a gift we can practise.
Too bad, he is an amazing singer. I feel for the guy, I am not gay, but I struggle with sexual sins. Though homosexuality is a sin, as said for instance in Romans 1, Romans 1 also states adultry, fornication and other sexual sins, and not just sexual sins are sin. JUst because he is gay does not mean he is definatly going to hell, but if he does know Christ as his personal saviour he will answer for his sins and so will I. I don’t support his sin, but neither my sin either.
Homosexuality IS a sin. Read your Bible and you’ll find it for yourself.
Being homosexual isn’t of Christ. He didn’t create it. He created man and woman to be together, not 2 men or 2 women to be together.
What Ray has to “make right” is his life with Christ before his time on this earth is up. If he chooses not to, then he’ll spend eternity in hell.
Read it for yourself…..It’s all in scripture.
I had this debate with a coworker about this issue a while ago. I don’t question he has a “natural” draw towards that, but that doesn’t make it ok and something you “live with”. Heck, I wanna tap everything everything in a skirt, but that doesn’t make it ok for me to do that. There are weirdo’s out there that are “naturally” drawn to kids. That’s definitely not ok (and I’d be hard pressed to find anyone to disagree)! Just because it’s “natural”, doesn’t mean it’s ok.
This is not a “God hates fags” post. This is not to negate his talent as a writer. It’s just to point out, neither he nor I should boast in our sins.
I can imagine the pain and anguish that Ray and his family have have been going through and I could not help but pray for peace, love, comfort and blessings for him and his family. I read everyone’s comment and responses. One thing that struck me is a comment like…”What Ray has to “make right†is his life with Christ before his time on this earth is up. If he chooses not to, then he’ll spend eternity in hell”. This sounds like a final judgment for Ray…I believe that none of us except God himself has the authority to pass such judgment. Romans 3:23..”For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”, Romans 6:23 For the wages of SIN is death..BUT the gift of God is eternal life THROUGH our Lord Jesus Christ..Romans 12:1…But as many as believe Him to them He gave power to become children (adopted) of God even to them who believe in His Name. I also believe a verse in the Bible that says…”For by grace are ye saved through faith…and is not of yourself…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, not of good works, lest anyone should boast (so no one can brag that they are better than the other or that they are saved because they are sooooo good and perfect)…. Can you imagine if man’s salvation is based on good works or “righteous living”?, then NONE of us in this world will be saved…I thank my God that He is not going to judge me and send me to hell based on my good works. Otherwise, I will be spending eternity in hell because I know that 24/7 I cannot live a “perfect, righteous, sinless” life. I am convinced that God loves us and calls us His own children NOT because of what we have done but because of what Jesus did (shed blood..death on the cross) which is more than enough to cover all our sins (lies, anger, idolatry, immorality, drunkenness, covetousness, including homosexuality and all other sins that one can imagine of, etc). “He has buried our sins from the depths of the earth…and as far as the east is from the west… He remembers them no more…When God looks at me, He sees the blood of Jesus that washed away and covers all my sins…I know that NONE of my good work or righteousness can add to my or anyone’s salvation from hell… what Jesus did on the cross is more than enough to save me..It says in God’s word that my righteousness (good works) is like a “filthy rug” in the eyes of God! Therefore I have to rely upon God’s righteousness through our Lord Jesus Christ…which I obtained when I accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior….We have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ… I also believe that if I fail to live a life that is not pleasing (sinful) to God, He will not send me straight to hell…no one…He said in His Words, ….”no one can pluck me out of His hands…things on earth, under the earth, in heaven…things to come…even angels..The SIN that will definitely send me straight to hell is if I REFUSE to ACCEPT the GIFT of LIFE HIMSELF JESUS CHRIST…John 14:6…Jesus said…”I am the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE…no one can come to the Father but through ME”
So what then? If we commit any of the sins mentioned above..will we have a chance to go to heaven or are we all going straight to hell? I personally believe that even though I may commit any of those sins…I have a chance of heaven because my salvation is a gift from God through Jesus Christ and I did not work for it…otherwise Jesus’ death on the cross would be senseless and of no value. My good work, righteous living is only a by-product of the salvation I received trhough Jesus. I once was dead (spiritually), condemned because of sin, but now alive and saved because of Jesus and not because of what I have done or will do. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold old things are become new..(once spiritually dead but now alive in Christ). One last thing I know the Bible says…Let your light (life) shine before men that may see your good works AND glorify Your father which is in Heaven…hmmm..does this mean we are commanded to shine our light (to live like Christ) for His glory or so we can be saved? I believe……He commanded us to live a life for His glory and it has nothing to do with wether I would be saved or not. If we confess our sins, He is holy and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness…” Should I continue on sinning then? As much as I can…absolutely not..for what I sow..I will reap…I believe that for every sin I commit there is a consequence (displeased, disappointed God and man…etc..) but I do not believe that God will send me straight to hell because I committed a sin…like lying…anger…..etc. Whether or not I can survive a day without sinning….everyday, I have to ask for God’s strength, power and wisdom that I may live a life pleasing to God…I can do ALL things through Christ who strenghtens me..” and praise God that my salvation and promise of eternal life is secured in heaven and is sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ which can NEVER be taken away from me just because I committed a sin.
This is just my personal conviction and is not intended to offend anyone’s belief nor to be relied upon by anynone as the basis of his/her personal relationship with God and most importantly used as a guide for recieving eternal life. Everyone should search and study the scripture themselves and decide whether you want to follow what the Bible says regarding salvation, eternal life and eternal death. Thanks! and Peace and Love to Everyone!
I have been reading some of the comments on Ray Boltz and I must say that the Church of Jesus Christ has to come into a certain maturity. Homosexuality is a sin, so is lying, stealing, pride, etc. All sin is sin in the eyes of God. Mr. Boltz needs deliverance from a devil called a “perverse spirit” of which homosexuality is only one of the manifestations of this spirit. The “perverse spirit” is one of the “strong men” mentioned in the Bible along with a “spirit of whoredom”, a “lying spirit”, a “spirit of error”, a “deaf and dumb spirit” (of which epilepsy is only one manifestation), etc. Persons who are into porn and pedophilia are also victims of this “perverse spirit”. A very large portion of Jesus’ ministry was in deliverance, and that is what is sorely lacking in the house of God today. This is so as we have been drenched in excesses in this ministry with people immersing themselves in it who do not have the requisite relationship with God, thus making this service hated and misunderstood. These people have a devil for everything, whereas the bible gives clear directions in this area.
I am sure that there are Christians in America who can approach Mr. Boltz with the anwer, which is deliverance from this devil, and then help him with the necessary follow-up ministry until he is out of the woods. Possibly Ray Boltz has become despondent and lacking in hope because he has not been given this opportunity. I see where people say that he has made this choice. Has he really or has he done so because he feels this is the only answer. I do now know.
I heard this in church yesterday morning for the first time and I was quite moved. I bowed my head and prayed for Mr. Boltz, as I know that Jesus Christ has provided an answer for everything that would try and overtake us in this Christian walk. He is the answer.
You Christians who are serving God with an undivided heart, you who seek to please him every day and not seek to use your faith for fame and fortune. You Davidic people, rise up and held the man in Jesus name. You have the power. He has given you power over every work of the enemy. In His name you will cast out devils. Resist the devil and he will flee. I know that most of us in this category are very private and seek God in our own time and place, trying to escape the tangents that the house of God has gone out on. I know you, you are charged with prayer, worship and fasting. Come out now and help the man.
In conclusion, if Mr. Boltz has been offered help and refuse it, then there is nothing we can do but contine to pray that God will remove the scales from his eyes. The choice is his.
“Concerned”
I am very sad to hear that Ray Bolz is homesexual. I very strongly disagree with the guy who said that Mr. Bolz would go to hell for his sin. Yes, homosexual activity is a sin (if you disagree, see Sodom and Gomorrah) but God says we should hate the sin but love the sinner. I hope that Mr. Bolz will turn back to the ways of the Lord.
I am deeply saddened by this news. By choosing homosexuality, Ray Boltz has divorced his wife, broken up a family and is now living a promiscous homosexual lifestyle.
Hopefully, he will turn back to God. For those condemning him…remember that we as Christians are to hate the sin, but love the sinner.
I loved Ray Boltz before and I love him now.Nothing has changed.I am a Christian and believe that he is a Christian man.I don’t believe God would put such a beautiful gift in the hands of an “abomination”.God knew he was gay all along.
My husband owes a good bit of his accepting Christ to Ray Boltz’ music.It made him understand a lot of things.
Ray Boltz had a song called the shpeherd boy.I believe ,I TRULY believe that when others see a shepherd boy,God may see a king.While others are seeing a homosexual in Ray Boltz,God is seeing a miracle in the making.
Oh my, This is so sad to read. He is a man and we all sin and fall short of His Glory. Satan loves this. It brings confusion to the Christians, our kids, the world. The news media loves this, I believe that we as Christians need to pray for this man. Satan has him blinded and it will only be by Gods Divine intervention that he will see the truth.
Some may wish to label the actions and decisions of others as “exclusion”; but with regards for those who have accepted into their lives a lie and chosen to pursue a lifestyle that God in His Word has declared as evil, explicit instructions have been given to Christians in 1 Cor 5:11 on what their proper response should be. Will we continue to pray for him? Yes, for the destruction of this lie in his mind that he has chosen to pursue in his flesh, in order that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor 5: 5); and for healing and compassion for the shame and suffering that he has brought upon his family and those of like faith. As Paul stated, there seems to be many that are “…puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you…” (1 Cor 5: 2). The “acceptance” of those who decidedly pursue wicked behavior only propigates more of the same (not only of the behavior, but also the willingness of others to be accepting of that type of behavior) within a particular body. The Word (remember IT is the Truth) says the leaven (sin) should be purged; and if an individual insists upon an aberrant lifestyle, than the instructions to Christians has been made clear.
We have ALL been dogged by one sin or another in EACH of our lives from early on and the struggle is on. As Christians we are to take up our cross daily, not giving in to the sins that would bind us/distract us from our walk with Him/destroy us. The problem/sin/lie is only enhanced, and seemingly enlarged in our lives, when we insist on pursuing the flesh with greater fervency than the things of God. “He that sows to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…He that sows to the spirt, life everlasting..”. Sowing and reaping. It’s amazing how the giants that confront us daily begin to diminish in stature/influence as we determinedly set our affections on things above seeking those things where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God. The struggles with our flesh readily intensifies as we decline from being about the Father’s business.
Some may wish to label the actions and decisions of others as “exclusion”; but with regards for those who have accepted into their lives a lie and chosen to pursue a lifestyle that God in His Word has declared as evil, explicit instructions have been given to Christians in 1 Cor 5:11 on what their proper response should be (“..But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortion; with such an one no not to eat (have social relations…â€). Will we continue to pray for him? Yes, for the destruction of this lie he has accepted and has chosen to pursue in his flesh, in order that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus (1 Cor 5: 5); and for healing and compassion for the shame and suffering that he has brought upon his family and those of like faith. As Paul stated, there seems to be many that are “…puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you…” (1 Cor 5: 2). The “acceptance” of those who decidedly pursue wicked behavior only propagates more of the same (not only of the behavior, but also the willingness of others to be accepting of that type of behavior) within a particular body. The Word (remember IT is the Truth) says the leaven (sin) should be purged; and if an individual insists upon an aberrant lifestyle, than the instructions to Christians has been made clear.
We have ALL been dogged by one sin or another in EACH of our lives from early on and the struggle is on. As Christians we are to take up our cross daily, not giving in to the sins that would bind us/distract us from our walk with Him/destroy us. The problem/sin/lie is only enhanced, and seemingly enlarged in our lives, when we insist on pursuing the flesh with greater fervency than the things of God. “He that sows to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption…He that sows to the spirit, life everlasting..”. Sowing and reaping. It’s amazing how the giants that confront us daily begin to diminish in stature/influence as we determinedly set our affections on things above seeking those things where Christ sits at the Right Hand of God. The struggles with our flesh readily intensify as we decline from being about the Father’s business.
John, you are jumping to a lot of conclusions about Ray Boltz’s behavior.
I do not agree with homosexuality! It is a sin! However, the truth is the truth no mater who or what conveys it. Ray Boltz has a beautiful voice and the message in the songs that he sang is awesome. We should not stop listening to his music just because he has made a bad decision. Instead Pray, Pray, Pray for him, his family and anyone that comes into contact with him. Pray that he will be shown that he has made poor decisions but God will forgive him if he repents and turns away.
I am so disappointed in Ray — but I can’t judge him. I believe homosexualality is a sin — and I pray that Ray’s eyes will be opened to the truth. His music is wonderful–it has ministered to me and I’ll probably keep listening to it. but I won’t buy anymore CD’s. My son died 2 years ago and I had my music minister sing ‘One Drop of Blood’ by Ray Boltz. but I don’t think he wrote the song.
I will continue to pray for Ray and his family in Jesus Name.
Hi Jean:
One Drop Of Blood
Words by Ray Boltz
Music by Ray Boltz and Steve Millikan
I’m glad you’ve been ministered to. As have I.
I don’t think homosexuality is a sin, I think we’ve been taught to think in cultural and by extension simplisitic terms and we see a person, a label and colour in the blanks with imagined behavior.
Thank you for your graciousness, I admire his courage in coming out.
I am a Christian with a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. I love Ray Boltz! He is an anointed man and God has used him and his music to touch many lives. God will continue to use him if he allows God to. Like someone said previously, God knew Ray’s struggle all along. But remember God also knew the outcome. God is in control. Ray needs our love and prayers not our condemnation. “There is now therefore NO condemnation to those who are IN Christ Jesus.” You can’t write and sing songs like that without being in Christ. Remember God looks at our heart and thank God He does. Some Christians are HEARTless and cruel. I have been married 25 years and no, I am not gay, but God has forgiven me of all of my sin and I believe He is faithful and just to forgive us of ALL of our our sin and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. He gave ONE the authority to judge and His name is JESUS! I will leave the judging to Him. He says there is no one good, not one., but God and God alone. Sin is not on a scale from smallest to biggest. Jesus had to die for even the “smallest” sin. At the cross He said, “it IS finished!” He also told us to pray for one another, love one another. Not condone or condemn, sin has already been condemned at the cross. We are to confess our sins one to another that we may be healed. Unfortunately for some reason, Ray didn’t believe he could do that. My heart breaks for him.
He has done it now, and now the healing begins.
I hope by now everyone who has posted has had a chance to hear Ray’s new single, dont tell me who to love… if not, visit his website and check it out.
Regardless of the negative narrow minded opinions expressed by some, God Loves Ray as he was created, a gay man. Say what you will about taking the Bible literally, but why are there no evangelical crusaders against the legal sale of shellfish and pork? Oh so thats the old testament/old covenant? Well then why are there no evangelical crusades against women preachers, they are after all to remain silent in church… I do believe the Bible does contain the word of God, however I believe that much of it is cultural reflection of the men who wrote it. We hear so often… you cant pick and choose which verses to believe, so why not put the shoe on the other foot and require that divorce be abolished and women not be allowed to speak in church? And if we are really so set upon following the Biblical definition of marriage, why not make concubines and multiple wives commonplace?
Regardless of any opinions that make the speaker feel more “normal” and more “in the will of God” the truth remains… God created Ray as he is, he loves him, and Ray can and will live a fulfilled life in truth as a gay man. Unfortunately the culture of condemnation will continue to force people to conform or disappear, and those choosing to conform may end up hurting innocent people down the road… all because of ignorance within the Christian community and maybe society in general.
Anyway… we will remain defiant, dont tell me who to love, you were wrong before, and you are wrong again.
Well, then if it’s that much of a sore spot with you, then why are any of you putting your confidence in man? The Bible says not to do that. It’s a funny thing that he was still dealing with being gay when he was a blessing. What, now that he’s himself he’s no longer a blessing? How pathetic!
My cousin sang a long time in gospel music. He told me that more people in gospel music are gay than the public knows, the same ones people rejoice to their music and become lead to the Lord through their altar calls and receive Christ. If that be the case, how can God allow the perfect Holy Spirit to flow through a “vile sinner man” if Ray Boltz is supposedly no longer a Christian because he’s gay? That’s like saying that God allows the spirit to work through sinful natures and lusts…Explain that one.
Also, PLEASE back up the word of God. Don’t just say it’s wrong and God didn’t do that. That’s childish.
It’s a funny thing to me that people were quick to forgive Jimmy Swaggart when he was with a prostitute, and Jim Bakker for stealing money from God’s ministry. Anyone making that a bigger deal than Ray Boltz’ coming out? Of course not. Like I said: it’s a big witch hunt.
GOD says “WHOSOEVER WILL”. God said, “By grace through faith are you saved.” It doesn’t follow with “except for gay people.” What about the verse that says, “All liars shall have their place in the Lake of Fire.” Do we take that literally? Of course not, because it turns the attention toward us and not someone else.
I think a lot of people on here are going purely on what they were told instead of searching the scripture themselves and asking God what it means. Read it and ask God what it means. Get prejudice jargon out of your heads that soemone else put there. Ask God what this means.
I don’t see any of this going on.
I did ask God. Did you?
Living the Christian life is not easy, but for me it would have been far more honest and acceptable for Ray to own up that his nature is sinful, not excuse himself, by saying that he is gay. If we tell it as it is then surely this is lust, not the fact that he is “naturally” gay. Too many people make excuses for their sins (something we have probably all done at some time in our lives) and attribute their sin to a God-given desire for same-sex love. What he is saying is God made him this way, but maybe he should be saying it is purely his choice to go the way he has and fulfil his desire and lusts. It is almost like saying that when I was born with two feet the fact that I now have corns and bunions is because that is the way God intended them to be. No, I brought such things on myself through my own pride and desire to wear ill-fitting shoes. Get my meaning.
I feel more and more strongly that as Christians we are beginning to accept anything in the name of LOVE. In fact, far from being un-Christian, it seems to me that too many people are “acting” God by so-called offering forgiveness and encouragement to go on living in sin, when it is not ours to ultimately forgive, nor do we have the right to tell people what they are doing is O.K. when God clearly says differently.
Whilst I also feel for Ray’s family, I don’t really see that they are helping their husband/father by accepting what he is saying and supporting him, also leading to them being deceived about being born gay. I don’t mean stop loving him, but by letting him see what he’s doing is wrong and maybe it is because the thrill and excitement has gone out of his marriage. I am sure lots of men and women when they reach 5O go through the same problem. It is then easier to give into temptation and follow your heart and lust than it is to hold fast.
I pray that Ray will stop being deceived/deceiving himself and return to God – there is forgiveness – thank God