In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. (Jude 7)
President Barak Obama says he is in favor of gay marriage as are some other political leaders of our land. Some polls indicate a huge shift in public opinion away from common mores informed by scripture. Civil Unions had been a way to recognize homosexual partnerships without involving the church. But it is clear that just a recognition of partnership by the state is not enough for many- God's blessing and approval is demanded. Even some church leaders are joining in, noting that God loves all people (as if God by this, tacitly approves all we do).
If the whole world says that marriage is "between two people" instead of "between a man and a woman" that would not make holy marriage that way. Only God- not the state- not society- and not the church can define (or redefine) what is holy in the sight of God. Marriage actually pre-dates the recognition by church and state in that God made us male and female. The biology designed by God are designed to go together, to attract the opposite sex, and to produce the next generation to continue the species.
If the whole world became a Sodom and Gomorrah- promoting homosexual and heterosexual immorality, would God then not approve? Of course not! If everyone of God's creatures does wrong, God does not then change His mind. The redefinition of marriage is an attempt by humans (who want to disobey the commands of God) to get God to approve of their actions. There are many examples of whole societies making evil and bad choices- the Romans with their gladiator blood-lust and emperor worship; the Nazis with their killing of homosexuals, the disabled, and the Jews; the southern American attitude toward slavery of the African (and their refusal to marry many); Most of these cultures wanted religious rationale to justify their behavior. In each case some religious leaders were willing to justify things that clearly violated God's law. But despite the excuses, it did not change the eternal law of God any more than someone jumping and saying they defied the law of gravity. The purpose and design of God are firm. The eternity and sufficiency of the Bible as God's Word is also firm and clear on this subject.
The state does have a stake in marriage (thus giving out marriage licenses). Marriage supposedly promotes stability, protects children, and decreases crime. Maggie Gallaher (National Review 071403) states that "There is scarcely a dollar that state and federal government spends on social programs that is not driven in large part by family fragmentation: crime, poverty, drug abuse, teen pregnancy, school failure, mental and physical health problems." When marriages are going well, society is going well with healthier people, a more productive and less absent workforce, and children who are more likely to finish school and stay away from crime and unwanted pregnancies.
But the state should not tell the church where its marriage borders should lie. Hitler tried to control the church in the 1930s, but that too was problematic for the church. Many, including Barth and Bonhoeffer formed the Confessing Church saying that Hitler had no right to tell the church what to do. The Covenanters of Scotland would remind us that English monarchs have tried to control the church. China, Cuba, and Vietnam (among others) today try to control the church. Those who seek to disobey the scriptures should not force the church of the scriptures to marry people whom the church does not consider to meet the basic requirements of marriage. (requirements such as: not already married, not a close family member, male and female). Make no mistake if the state approves homosexual marriage the control of the church on this issue is not far behind (perhaps by threatening to revoke tax exempt status). Already threats of federal aid have been withdrawn from the Salvation Army and the honor of the Boy Scouts has been impugned for taking a scriptural stand on homosexuality. The church, through marriage and hiring are just next on the list.
To open the door to homosexual marriage exceeds even opening the doors of polygamy or polyamory ("open marriage") for homosexual activity is expressly forbidden by God in both Old and New Testaments (Gen 19; Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Deut 23:17-18; Mark 7:20-23; Rom. 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; 1 Tim 1:8-11; 2 Pt 2:6-10; Jude 7; Rev. 21:8; 22:15). In the Old Testament homosexual acts are called an "anathema" or "detestable to God" (Lev. 18:22), and in the New Testament it is seen as a sign of God's wrath and displeasure (Rom. 1; Rev. 21,22). For the state to say the Church should take something that is an anathema to God and bless it is asking the church to bless what it does not have the power to bless. Scripture tells us what God blesses and what God does not bless. We may ignore it, but we cannot change what scripture says even by fiat and redefinition.
If the state tells us that greed is normal and the church should look the other way- the church should stand up and say "greed is not the norm for life." If the state tells us that adultery is normal and that the church should look the other way- the church should stand up and say that adultery is harmful to the soul and to children and those involved. If the state tells us that normal marriage is really not restricted to one man and one woman then the church should stand up and say that holy marriage is different from unholy marriage. If all the world becomes a Sodom or Gomorrah, it does not change the holiness or laws of God one jot or tittle. Jude tells us that what happened to Sodom and Gomorrah was a terrible warning to all those who would follow their example as societies.
Prayer: In a world that pressures us to be faithless, help me, O God to be faithful to you and your Word.
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