Being a Voice for Truth in the Culture

 THE BEGINNING

Becket Cook grew up in a Catholic household as the youngest of eight children. His father was an emotionally remote attorney. Becket describes his mother as “a giant ball of emotion and unconditional love who required an occasional valium.”

When he was eight, Becket’s friend showed him his father’s pornography. At 10 years old, while having a sleepover at a friend’s house, Becket was awakened by his friend’s father sexually abusing him. Becket was traumatized and too afraid to tell his parents, but that night severely affected his sexuality. He explains, “In the sixth (age 12) and seventh grades, I became increasingly aware that I was attracted to the same sex.” By age 15, Becket and a school friend came out to each other. However, it wasn’t until after college that Becket told his family. 

THE CITY OF ANGELS

When Becket decided to move to LA to pursue acting and writing, he felt free to express his sexuality and creativity. Soon, his artistic friends plugged him into the celebrity party scene where he would grow close to some of Hollywood’s elite actors like spending summers swimming in Drew Barrymore’s pool or vacationing in Diane Keaton’s desert getaway home. Becket attended a party at Prince’s home and went to the Grammy’s, etc. Life was good for the time but one night while in Paris for fashion week in March 2009, things began to change. Becket explains, “After socializing for a couple of hours, I took a moment to look around and contemplate the scene. In this sea of beautiful people, I suddenly felt an intense sense of emptiness. I’m not exactly sure what brought it on, but there I was, in the middle of Paris at an ultrachic fashion party, feeling dead inside.” 

CHANGE IS COMING

On September 12, 2009, while having brunch with his friend Ryan, they both noticed something out of the ordinary in their part of Los Angeles--a group of men at a table with Bibles. Becket and Ryan were intrigued. After all the men left, except one (Colin), they worked up the nerve to ask him if he was a Christian. Colin confirmed their suspicions and even invited them to church. Becket wrestled with the invitation and eventually decided to go, even though Ryan did not. He explains, “I decided to embrace it (going to church) as something of an anthropological study. A chance to confirm all my suspicions about the ridiculousness of Christianity.”

On September 20, 2009, Becket found himself visiting Reality LA church--his first evangelical service. The pastor was preaching on the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. As Becket sat there in the unfamiliar environment, he was amazed at how simple the Gospel message was. He was even more amazed that he agreed with it. At the end of the service, the pastor explained that anyone who needed prayer was welcome. Becket felt like he needed prayer but kept fighting the urge to go up front. “Finally, I just thought, you know what, I’m here. I might as well just do this. So, I walked down the aisle… All of a sudden, a giant wave of God’s presence came crashing over me. I was utterly overwhelmed, and I started bawling uncontrollably… I don’t know how to describe it other than that God revealed Himself to me.” 

Today, over 14 years later and after attending seminary, Becket spends most of his time ministering and speaking on the issue of homosexuality and culture in churches, universities, and conferences and has his own podcast. 

After Becket told his friends about his experience with God, they took it surprisingly well and he remains close to many of them. While a few friends made it clear that they didn’t want Becket proselytizing them, others listened to the Gospel message and accepted Christ.  

HOW TO REACH THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY 

Becket says that Christians can effectively reach people in the LGBTQ community by:

•    Praying for them: Never underestimate the power of prayer. Six months ago, Becket found a journal entry from his mom after she passed away. When he read the entry, tears streamed down his cheeks as his mom was writing down her prayers for his life. After Becket came out as gay to her, they never spoke about it again. Seeing in writing that she was fighting for him spiritually behind the scenes touched his heart. What is even more powerful is that her prayers were answered and she was alive to see him serving Christ. 

•    Loving them: Becket’s mom never stopped loving him and also extended that same love to his friends and partners. She made it known that she didn’t agree with his lifestyle but refused to cut him off from her life. Becket says that it’s important to stand firm in your beliefs but still stay connected with your loved ones.

•    Examining how Jesus interacted with sinners: When we look at how Christ treated tax collectors and sinners, we find that they walked away changed but Jesus did not. He kept his standards while also loving them with the truth.  

•    Challenging them with the truth: Becket has noticed that younger generations tend to have an obsession with their sexuality like a social contagion. It’s become hip to be nonbinary or pansexual, etc. One time, after a speaking engagement, a younger person came up to him and exclaimed, “I’m nonbinary.” So, Becket asked her why she believed that. She didn’t have an answer. As he looked at her, she began to cry. Becket responded with love, prayed with her, and she accepted Christ. 

PREFERRED PRONOUNS

When asked about how Becket addresses the use of preferred pronouns. He says he doesn’t use them because:

When asked about how Becket addresses the use of preferred pronouns. He says he doesn’t use them because:
•    It's indulging in a lie and breaking the ninth commandment (Bearing false witness).
•    It’s a sin against the creation ordinance. (He made them male and female)
•    When a prodigal returns, he wants to come back to someone who didn't lie (i.e. use preferred pronouns). They want to come back to someone who told them the truth
•    When it comes to someone’s name, since names are more or less a personal preference, he will use their chosen name just out of courtesy. 
•    When he’s with someone one-on-one, he will always be gentle and loving about all of this and not go out of his way to be insulting.

BECKET’S PODCAST

“The Becket Cook Show” was created by Becket to discuss relevant topics and to crush the lies of culture with truth. It airs on Youtube and all podcast platforms. 

Find out more about Becket Cook, his book and podcast, "The Becket Cook Show," here: Becket Cook.