Same-Sex: To Advocate or Not
Some may argue that the definition of marriage limits it to the union of a man and a woman, but the world is actively engaged in the invention of new words and the redefining of old ones, and thus it is only a matter of time before traditional definitions become irrelevant. As of today, Webster’s online dictionary recognizes same-sex unions as part of its definition for the word marriage. We must conclude that it is pointless to argue this from a secular standpoint (if you are of the Christian belief) because we’re dealing with variable arguments.
Should a Christian support the campaign for same sex marriages? Already there are many from the so-called “liberal” side that have taken up the cause for same-sex marriages, not just in terms of civil law, but also in the church. Albert Mohler Ph.D., president and professor of Christian Theology at Southern Seminary, refers to a study from a liberal group called the Religious Institute that concluded that 3,300 churches are welcoming to gays and lesbians and allow for “full inclusion.” This is happening in mainline Protestant churches.
It is impossible for Christians to support same-sex unions, marriages, or relationships. It is impossible because same-sex unions are not supported by scripture and thus a mind that is led by the Spirit will find itself repulsed by the thought of advocating an anti-Christ lifestyle. Unless your exegetical methods are so darkened that you are unable to receive the plainest teaching of scripture, you will be quick to note that Leviticus 18:22 says, “Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable” (NIV, cf. Lev. 20:13). The word that is used for lie is the Hebrew word shakab meaning "to lie down to rest, sleep; to lie down sexually; or to lie down in death" (notice how it is used in Lev. 15:20; 15:26; Deut. 24:13; 2 Sam. 12:3; Job 11:18). The context (Lev. 18:1-18:30) is aptly titled by some commentators “unlawful sexual relations.” From verses 6 through 23 God gives a list of sexual "don'ts", except for verse 21 where He forbids the offering of children to Molech. Fitting the word lie in this context favors a sexual interpretation of verse 22. The Israelites are warned that these are part of the reason why the Canaanites are going to be driven out of the land (Lev. 18:3, 24-29).
For a Christian to deny the relevancy of this verse today, he or she would have to prove that it was among the laws nailed to the cross or that there are no conditions that merit the existence of such law (meaning that we should focus on the spiritual significance of the law). Christians would agree with (and find relevant) all the laws that are in chapter 18, except for perhaps verse 19—I’m not married, so I really don’t know whether intercourse is had during the menstrual cycle or not. We would not advocate a man sleeping with his father’s sister, his daughter-in-law, or his brother’s wife. If we would not advocate these actions, we also cannot advocate endeavors that acknowledge their right to exist in relationships under law. If we can’t advocate same-sex sexual acts, we as Christians with God’s word in our hands and in our minds can’t advocate a same-sex law, whether it be secular or religious.
Why would we support something that we do not believe in? Why would we let the world think that we who fear God don’t mind approving things which are against our beliefs? Part of the failure of Israel as the people of God was that instead of living and communicating God’s truth to the world, they accepted the beliefs and practices of the cultures around them. Should we? I think not.
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