Same-Sex Marriage is Unbiblical
A commentary by Larry Walker
United Church of God pastor, Bend, Oregon
Once again, "same-sex marriage" is in the news. The U.S. Supreme Court
recently struck down a Texas law banning "deviate sexual intercourse
with another individual of the same sex."
While gay activists celebrated this milestone decision, many have voiced
concerns regarding the possible ramifications of this 6-3 court ruling
in the Lawrence vs. Texas case. Even Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia
predicted that this ruling "will have far-reaching implications beyond
this case." In writing for the minority view, he predicted that
this ruling would "mark the end of all morals legislation" and leave
traditional marriage "on pretty shaky grounds."
The controversy surrounding "same-sex marriage" will likely become a
political issue in the upcoming national elections. A recent AP press
release stated that most Democratic candidates oppose gay marriage but
support "civil unions." At a presidential forum sponsored by the Human
Rights Campaign, members of the audience hissed Senators Joe Lieberman
and John Kerry when they referred to marriage as an exclusively heterosexual
union. "Marriage has a special status in our culture, our society and
our history," Senator Lieberman said.
Marriage is not just a social custom. It is a divine institution, ordained
by God at creation. From the beginning of history, the Bible has limited "marriage" to
the union of one man and one woman. Although the word "marriage" does
not appear in this initial account, God gave Eve to Adam to be his wife.
God told Adam, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and
be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24).
The reference to "a man" and "his wife" establishes the divine pattern
for future generations.
In Ephesians 5:22-33 the apostle Paul quoted these words in reference
to marriage of a man and a woman. To the church in Corinth, a city which
was a cesspool of immorality, Paul also refers to marriage only in terms
of husband and wife. Nowhere does the Bible allow for same-sex unions.
The argument has been made that all citizens deserve equal benefits,
regardless of sexual orientation. But is same-sex marriage the solution
to this dilemma?
So far only the state of Vermont has granted full legal rights and benefits
to same-sex couples. Same-sex marriages are legal in Belgium and the Netherlands.
The Liberal government in Canada last month announced their intent to enact
similar legislation.
In time more states and nations will likely decide to grant legal status
to same-sex couples. But to refer to this type of arrangement as a "marriage" would
be a misnomer. That term has already been taken and is clearly limited
to a heterosexual union. That fact may not prevent the name being inappropriately
used. It would not be the first time that civil authorities passed laws
that run contrary to biblical principles.
The crux of the problem lies in a lack of understanding and acceptance
of biblical standards in our pluralistic, multicultural Western societies.
At the time when the U.S. Constitution was written, the nation was more
committed to fundamental Christian virtues. The main concern of the men
who put together the Constitution was to avoid governmental imposition
of religion and to assure all citizens the right to believe and live
by their individual religious convictions.
The concept of "separation of church and state," first introduced in
a letter by Thomas Jefferson, has since become the philosophical foundation
for court rulings such as the Texas case. The resulting assumption is
that it is wrong to legislate morality. As the morals of the United States
and other nations continue their downslide, more and more longstanding
moral restrictions will be struck down in the courts and laws of the
land. Sadly, in many ways the freedom of religion guaranteed by the Bill
of Rights has since degenerated into freedom from religion.
The coming millennial rule of the Kingdom of God will restore the fundamental
truths of the Bible expressed in the law of God (Isaiah 2:1-4). Church
and state will be reunited, rooted in the teachings of the Bible and
enforced by the righteous rule of Jesus Christ. All nations will learn
and experience the benefits of the laws of God, including the true values
of marriage. To learn more, request or download your free copy of The
Gospel of the Kingdom. |
