Columbus, Ohio -- The Atlanta fire chief who was fired after publishing a book critical of homosexuality addressed the Southern Baptist Conference Tuesday.
Kelvin Cochran told the group he suffered "worldly consequences" over the book but is confident God will carry him through.
“I have utmost belief that God is the ultimate vindicator and is going to come through on my behalf," Cochran said. "My back is not up against the wall. I am not at the end of my rope, and throwing in the towel is not an option for a child of God who suffers.”
He said he believes his “public humilitation” is serving the higher purpose to change the public conversation and show people the need to speak the truth and the consequences for doing so.
Cochran filed a federal civil rights lawsuit in February against Mayor Kasim Reed and the city, saying he was terminated because of his religion.
The decorated fire chief was fired in early January for what the mayor said was a breach in protocol in Cochran's decision to publish "Who Told You That You Are Naked?" At issue are passages within the 162-page book that describe homosexuality as a "sexual perversion" akin to bestiality.
Many decry the passages as offensive and anti-gay, while others see the book as a valid expression of Cochran's religious beliefs.
Reed maintains that he fired Cochran because the chief didn't have the required clearance from the city's ethics office to publish the book, identified himself as the city's fire chief in its pages and then disobeyed his request not to speak publicly during a month-long suspension.
“There are worldly consequences for standing for Christ and for standing for truth,” Cochran said. “But there are also kingdom consequences in standing for truth, and the kingdom consequences are always greater than the worldly consequences.”
He expressed confidence that God will carry him through.
He thanked the pastors of Georgia Baptist Convention, saying “There’s not one time through this did I feel alone. I have decided to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back.”
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