Christian churches responding to same-sex marriage legalization

Homosexual Relationships Prohibited

In recent years a tide of change has swept across America. Gay marriage has been the focal point of many court battles and legislations. As a result, public opinions has shifted majorly towards a more lenient and accepting view of same-sex relationships. This change poses significant challenges towards Christian individuals who remain steadfast in conservative values. Churches, believers, and ministers all over the nation now face serious conflicts and questions with their beliefs and the public around them (1).

Christians are currently feeling overwhelming pressure to make changes in their own churches that will allow for homosexual couples to practice in their facilities. They are already being labeled socially as hateful, prejudiced, and ignorant, which is a trial to the Christian who seeks to follow the council of Christ and love all. On top of that, ministers are being asked to perform marriages against their personal beliefs, churches are being targeted by unions and same-sex organizations, and Sunday school classes are being challenged by youth groups who shout discrimination. Free-churches still hold the freedom to hire as they wish, but for other religious organizations, tax statuses and anti-discrimination laws are forcing homosexuals into their ministry. So how are Christians supposed to act in response to this overwhelming pressure? It may feel as if it is no longer possible to live by the biblical standards that have defined our society for so many years. Dallas Jones asks the big question whether or not we are still able to adhere to God's counsel on Sexual matters in today's world. It is an excellent question and one that should be examined by all modern Christians. How can we live in today's world and not jeopardize our Biblical standards (1)?

Same-Sex Marriage and Today's Church: Statistics

Biblical standards used to be the moral guide for all of American society. Throughout our history, whether or not people were believers, they adhered to the moral code and values that was preached over the pulpit. Sunday school lessons were affirmed by parents in the home, and all of the people at work shared the same set of values. The church was the culture. Theology was not he question since people were free to believe or not, but still all people agreed on what was right and what was wrong, what was natural, and what was unnatural. People rarely challenged these morals and it lasted well into the 21st century (1).

Due to this long history of cohesion between the church and the state, many Christians are not accustomed to having to defend their faith like they are required to do today. For the first time in American history, public opinion is starting to sway against the Christian believers. Basic doctrines are being challenges and criticized and many people do not know how to respond without sounded bigoted or prejudiced. The sexual values of the Christian religion are on top of the list of values being challenged by society. Sexuality has never before been questioned like this due to the previously symbiotic relationship between church and culture (1).

People are describing the advent of gay marriage as "inevitable" (2) whether they support it or not. This represents the change that is happening in America in an excellent way. A June poll by the Pew Research Center discovered an incredibly slim majority being in favor of gay-marriage. 51% is the number of people in favor and those results are consistent with all other polls done. The results for those in favor of ratifying gay-marriage are always in the low 50's which mean that the nation is split almost in half on this issue (2). Gallup performed a similar poll and NBC did one as well. All of the results were unanimous with a slim 51 or 52% majority (3).

Something that is important to consider is the change of public opinion that has been documented over the last decade. According to a study performed in 2003, only 37% of the population actually held a positive image of homosexual men. Contrast that with the 2013 version of the same study that had that number jump to 55%, which makes it a huge change (4).

Almost one out seven people has claimed to flip their opinions on this issue. Most often the change occurs when a friend or family member of theirs 'comes out' as a homosexual. Gallup learned though that devout religious people that attend church regularly still disapprove since the approval rate is only at 23% (5).

Another interesting fact is the schism between old and young believers. A large portion of evangelicals that were below 29 years of age are actually in support of gay-marriage. However, even though they support homosexual's right to marry, many of them reported feelings of disapproval in regards to homosexual practice itself (6). It seems as if the resistance to new legislation and the tide of change is held mostly by the conservative and aging Christians. It is clear that there is a wide division between generations in the church (1).

Romans 1:18-32

Paul, in Romans 1:18-32, lays out the most thorough and extensive sermon on homosexuality found in the Bible. He condemns it as a sin and the partakers as people who need the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The sermon covers both God's labeling of homosexuality as sinful, and mankind's consistent abandonment of divine truth (1:24, 26, 28). In this context, homosexuality is the result of mankind's refusal to live God's law and the next step in man's unrighteousness (8).

Genesis 19; 2 Peter 2:7; Jude 7

That the Sodomites were being punished for their unwillingness to be hospitable is a common argument instead of their homosexual behavior (14). However, both Peter and Jude give this topic treatment in their epistles in the New Testament.

Boswell created a 5 point thesis that is necessary in order for a non-homosexual interpretation of this text to be believed. His first point is that the word "know" in Genesis 19:5 is not the same as homosexual relationships. The second point is that Lot offered his daughter without sexual overtones to the Sodomites. Third, the similar story in the book of Judges has to refer to inhospitality as well instead of homosexuality. Fourth, the Septuagint is not expressing carnal knowledge in the words recorded. Finally, the fifth point is that the later references to Sodom and Gomorrah by Ezekiel do not in fact list homosexuality as a sin (15).

To many readers of this paper that are schooled in Biblical knowledge, these points might feel a bit of a stretch, because they really are. All of these points have been pointed out as wrongful by scholars such as Wold. In his book, Out of Order, Wold is able to refute all of the previous points in Boswell's thesis which proves in fact that the story about Lot and Sodom does deal with the issue of homosexuality (16).

In speaking about homosexuality, both Peter and Jude condemn the sin as worse than pride. That is a pretty grievous statement since pride is considered the root of all evil. Sexual sin is severe but according to these ancient apostles, homosexuality goes against divine nature which is worse. Trespassing divine order was the sin that caused Sodom to fall, not inhospitality. Buckham makes a strong conclusion that the Sodomites might have been unaware of it, but they were seeking relations with the Angels of heaven (17).

The sin of Sodom, notice the singular use of the word sin, is referred to multiple times in the Bible outside of the story. The sin discussed was the homosexual behavior of the inhabitants which ultimately led to their destruction. They were open and freely practicing a serious sin (8).

Who can accept homosexuality?

One does not have to like something for it to be true. No matter how much a person might hate the falling of an apple from the tree, it will not make gravity any less of a true principle. It is the same with God's laws. Many Christians are finding themselves in an uncomfortable minority today. Pressure is amounting on all sides for the believers to throw their conservative values away. It is a Christian's duty to hold his head high and face the tide of change with courage and faith. Remember that truth is truth no matter how people feel about it (1).

Before expressing truth to others, it is important that we live it in our own lives. It is difficult to share faith with others if one does not have it themselves. Timothy was admonished by Paul to learn the doctrine himself before teaching it to others (1 Tim 4:16). In the following scriptures Paul teaches a valuable lesson about the worth of scriptural doctrine. The truth is to be lived and taught so that it can transform a person to be more like Christ. By following Paul's example and admonition Christians all over the world are able to feel this transformation in their own hearts (1).

When God speaks out on topics it is the Christian duty and responsibility to learn what has been said. It is wrongful to speak in ignorance and so, in order to maintain integrity as we speak and share our faith, we must be learned. Hypocrisy is a huge critique given to many religious people in today's society; avoid it by fully living what you preach. Live God's sexual law before you condemn homosexuals for practicing. When a Christians life is in line with the teachings of the Bible, and they are well-versed in the knowledge it holds, then it becomes their duty to share it with others and let their voice be heard (1).

Personal Challenges: Salt, Light, and Loving Thy Neighbor

When invitations to events or places come that go against the moral code of Christianity, believers will be faced with a difficult decision. To go and support or to kindly decline are the two possible responses that should be given. What really matters though, no matter what you choose or in what situation you might find yourself, is that the Christian light is upheld (1).

Paul taught an inspired sermon on living in balance with those around us. He taught to abstain from others sins and to live in the peace of one's conscience, but still to love those around us (Rom 12:18, 14:23). This is very applicable to those who have had or will have family members or close friends "come out" as homosexual. It is not the Christian way to shun or hate others. Keep in mind that all people are sinners and Jesus once asked why we seek to remove the sliver in our neighbor's eye whilst we still have a beam in our own. We can maintain our Christian values as we interact more and more with the homosexual community, and we can also fulfill the commandment to love our neighbor while we do it. As the frequency of our encounters with homosexual people increase, so will the opportunities for healthy discussions of faith, love, families, and virtue. We can share our faith in love so that it does not appear homophobic. By focusing discussion on the Creator and God's intentions for us, we can into additional gospel topics. A gospel presentation does not have to be rimed with the topic of homosexuality (1).

Conclusion

Conflict will always occur when one desires to appease both the Christian religion and the homosexual life style. You can't serve both God and Mammon is how the scripture goes. The two are incompatible and will lead to confusion, frustration, and unhappiness. While there have been arguments by homosexual apologists that seek to explain away the offensive Biblical passages, their explanations are faulty and have been disproved (18).

Religious parents have long been very important in the faith of their children. Religiosity is often transmitted down through blood, especially if the family is devout religious. Persons who come from such families will often feel very conflicted about this issue, especially if they have friends or they themselves deal with homosexual feelings. It seems today though, due to studies that have been conducted, that those people who have drifted from their parents religion, and are closer to accepting homosexuality, are actually the ones with strong desires to retain faith (1).

Ministers and pastors are excellent tools for all who struggle to come too. The struggles do not have to be about a sexual nature since the pastors are usually very well educated in gospel doctrine and can give proper advice for a wide array of issues. Over the pulpit come essential truths about the nature of God and his desires and commandments for us. This knowledge is priceless in dealing with the struggles of life. As disciples of Christ we can reach out and invite those I our neighborhoods to come and partake of that knowledge and hope that they too will treasure it like we do. Homosexuals are welcome to partake as well as long as they understand the lifestyle is what is required for church membership (1).

It can be frustrating and exhausting to fight the good fight in today's world. Christians move from one contention to the other with both fellow church goers and non-believers. Educating yourself and taking the time to be a witness can be incredibly time consuming. However, in this day and age when the nation is so split on important moral topics, it can be exciting and inviting to partake. By simply holding to your morals and values you are making a stand. Often people will notice and ask questions. Let your voice be heard and give a reason for the hope that is in you (1 Pet 3:15). Let God grant us the patience we need as well as the spirit and faith to be witnesses of his gospel in this day. Now more than ever do we have opportunities to share the gospel of Christ and speak out against wrongs (1).