In the wake of the California Supreme Court’s audacious decision to legitimize marriage between people of the same sex, media outlets have been dominated by discussions on the topic. Frustrated by the lack of any cogent arguments defending the Judeo-Christian conception of marriage, a friend challenged me to pen a more thorough apologetic so that the church might be better equipped to offer an articulate and rational defense of this essential institution.
Over the course of the next four to six weeks, that is precisely what I will attempt to do. The battle to define marriage is not over; the church must be able to speak in more convincing terms than simply “because the Bible says …” As we proceed, I would encourage you to thoroughly process the information and arguments presented here, and even consider integrating this material into your adult Sunday school and Bible study classes. If this is not practical, you might consider hosting a “Dessert and Discussion” at your home, in which you invite members from your church to gather for the purpose of reasoning together through the nature and definition of marriage as defined by the Christian worldview, and why this definition matters.
As I have said before, the Bible is true because it is the word of God and by that authority alone, it is so. However, that is not its only evidence for being the truth. All truth claims are subject to their correspondence with reality. For example, the law of gravity issues an absolute claim to a truism. One can either accept or reject this claim, but upon testing this claim in the real world—say, by inviting the skeptic to jump off the roof—all will come face to face with the absolute truth of gravity. The same is true relative to the Judeo-Christian definition of marriage. It is what it is and when you attempt to redefine it into something it is not, there will follow the predictable splat—somewhat like the skeptic who launches himself off your roof!
Marriage is far more profound than our contemporary culture would lead us to believe. It is a lifelong commitment that restrains self-centeredness, self-indulgence, and self-gratification. It is the one relationship that effectively prepares and conditions us for living in community with others. By restraining self-centeredness and promoting love of another, marriage then becomes the foundation for social order. When this commitment labeled marriage is reduced to nothing more than a mere contract between two consenting persons, one option among many, or redefined to accommodate any type of participants [or number], it ceases to provide the same societal benefits.
Marriage is Unique The Judeo-Christian concept of marriage is as old as mankind. It serves as the very foundation of civilization itself. The marriage covenant is singularly unique in civilization; it is not simply a civil or romantic union between two people. Rather, it is an emotional, physical, and spiritual union between one man and one woman. It is emotional in the sense that two people, male and female, each with different (complementary) attributes, join together in life, assisting one another, nurturing and caring for one another, and affirming and guiding one another—in essence, completing the other. It is physical in the sense that marriage is procreative. Two separate biological beings blend together to create what neither can create on their own: children. And lastly, marriage is spiritual in the sense that we are made for this partnership that places the interest of the other (or others, in the case of children) above self—a relationship that ultimately mirrors God’s sacrificial love toward each of us and His bride: the church. Continue >>
Comments
JC,
I believe that Jesus was resurrected in His glorified body, which I don't believe was flesh and blood like ours, but yet not spirit. How do we account for Him being able to walk through a wall, and Thomas put his hand into Jesus' side. He didn't feel His side...he put his hand INTO Jesus' side. Anyone who is flesh and blood would certainly be incapable of having an open wound like that, and live.
It is utterly sad how many people disregard reality and social education for the sake of philosophy that is so ethically wrong... I've worked with homeless children, and I can honestly and morally repeat many requests for stable homes - whether it be with two hetero or homo sexual partners. So many cries and sorrowful pains I have heard from kids who just want families, any families, any adults, to love them and support them. And again, in wake of trying to mix church and state people continue to deny these seriously hurtful words of the most helpless. I've also worked with men who have lost everything because their disgraceful communities shun them in light of their coming out. and I mean everything - homes, jobs, friends, respect. Yet what I find most unacceptable is some purely wrong logic that the whole point of life is to get married and have kids. This is so, stupidly wrong. Marriage is not some golden trophy in life, nor are the goal of procreation; tell that to completely happy single men and women who chose not to marry. So, if people want to ignore the incredibly sad wishes of innocent children, the hurt and life-long struggles of socially abused innocent gays, and if people want to continue thinking that life is all about marriage and kids (godness forbid a man or woman wants a career or morally fulfilling missionary work), then I find that so disappointing.
To Hlerwin:
Beloved, I use to believe as you did. I use to think that Jesus was a man, but was resurrected in a spirit form that looked like a human, and that the disciples had gotten it confused. I also use to believe that the Bible was in no way close to the original scrolls, and like a secret, changed from generation to generation.
I use to believe that all religions led to Him, in that if somebody was deceptively led into worship of another God, that this wasn't their fault, and that God would allow that person entrance in Heaven. They thought it was Him.
I use to believe that God was uncaring and insensitive, allowing for diseases, destruction and death. I belived that we were nothing but play toys for His amusement.
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Beloved, you who are loved over the Angels, I was wrong, and had I continued, I would be dead and in Hell now. Only by the grace of God do I still live. I discovered this when I truly discovered Jesus, the Lamb of God. For until I had this personal, one-on-one relationship with Him, all I had was religion, and man's beliefs.
Dear one, nothing is impossible with God. For one to say that a physical resurrection never took place, one is saying that God has limitations and couldn't raise the flesh from the dead.
Beloved, the covenant that is spoken of is just that, a covenant. It's not a contract, or judicial judgement, it's a covenant. What this covenant says is that this is the way to Heaven, and this way only. The covenant says that we can freely take part in this way, or we can freely reject it. There is no twisting of arms, there is only love. There is no breaking of backs for you to join, only love. Love lures us into the covenant, and love sustains us in the covenant, for the covenant itself is based upon love.
The choice is and always has been ours to make. Do we abide in His covenant and His will, or not? This is the only choice, there are no others. I pray you will discover this yourself, for until you do, you are not one of His, but belong to the dark one instead.
hlerwin - what's the point of even believing anything to do with Christianity with your points of view? The point of Christianity is to restore the relationship between man and God which was suppose to be a permanent thing but Adam messed it up.
Christianity it to restore the relationship between us and God both here and for eternity. It's about a relationship with God.
Exactly what is the point of your beliefs if not to have a restored relationship with God?
I mean I could maybe understand them desiring a civil unuion, and maybe they could dress up and throw a kegger with friends and family after they get the legal papers signed, but why do they desire a Marriage, ceramony and all, yet at the same time try to destroy the belief systems that created Marriage in the first place?
That is true. Though I think it's still possible to use a judge or "justice of the peace", maybe deep inside they still admit the existence of God.
Either that, or maybe a priest/pastor is the only one legally allowed to perform marriage ceremonies anymore. I don't know.
Why do athiests(both gay and strait) worry so much about a religious ceromony like marriage anyway. Dont they realize that that is where it comes from? Getting married is something religious people do, thats why it normally invloves a church and a Pastor/preist/Religious professional. This goes for muslims jews and basicly every religion. Why do athiests care????
LOL, "your own heaven". I got a kick out of that. But no, there is only one heaven. But don't worry. You wont be there so you won't have to put up with Christians like me.
"If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved...."
That leaves you out of heaven.
"For which he will answer some day."
This is the sentiment most of the world's Christians get from your kind of Christian, Prophet. I really do hope you people have your own Heaven. We certainly don't want to be stuck up there with you.
Would you have preferred that I lie to believer when he asked me?
I see that hlerwin is not a Christian. Otherwise, he would note that throughout the epistles it speaks of Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection. Even the Gospels speak of His resurrection. So, since hlerwin doesn't believe either the Gospels nor the epistles, he has his own religion, and made God in his own image. For which he will answer some day.
Part 2
As far as the afterlife, all that Beulah Land stuff seems so human and selfish, even childish, to me. I am not interested in it. Since I really do not believe in Hell, either, I am not afraid of dying. If I ever took the trouble to change denominations, I suppose I would become a Universalist, partly because I think God would want everyone to come unto him and partly because I know so many very fine people who go to the UU church in my city. But I don't plan to move my letter. I think every church has solid believers in it - no matter what you and I might think of that sect. I realize that, as far as the wisdom of the universe goes, I am a "child." But I am not such a child that I have to believe some of the old myths that were used to "scare the natives" way back there in the long-ago Middle East. Finally, the word "relationship" may be the wrong word. In fact, I think I have a relationship with many people who are dead. I feel a strong relationship with Shakespeare, when I read him. I feel it with Richard Wagner, when I hear his music. I feel it with John Milton and Walker Percy, for instance. I am trying not to be flippant when I say this. Surely, you, believer, have felt "one" with your favorite writer, dead or alive. Even if he/she is alive, you may not have actually met this writer. But in reading, you get into another's mind and spirit. And, yes, at times that can be quite supernatural and spiritual. Often I feel the spirit leading. And it's a positive spirit (and, of course, I don't believe in that boogeyman, Satan, that some Christians love to hate). And, really finally, I guess your last remark has no response. (That was: "..unless you believe Jesus didn't die.") I don't know what to make of that part of your post. Now, I know, believer, that you radically disagree with me. I have good friends that feel about Jesus and Heaven the way you do, so I know you and your friends are not just "plain crazy," as many modern Americans might say. I also see "fruits of the Spirit" from my friends; and, though I have no way to prove it to you, they see "fruits of the Spirit" from me - or so they've told me. Is this an adequate answer?
believer wrote:
"Prophet and JC, needless to say you know that I wholeheartedly agree with you both, but if you check out my 8:24 post you will see why hlerwin I believe would choose to ignore the verses you both cited. That's why I really would like to hear his response to that post."
and the 8:24 post:
"hlerwin, since you don't believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ nor do you believe in the afterlife how can you have a relationship with someone who doesn't exist unless you believe Jesus didn't die?"
I was away from my computer, believer, but actually I had forgotten about your question. I was not, however, avoiding it. Let me see how to answer....
In my answer, I need to realize that I am writing to a person who does believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ and also in an afterlife. It's true, the bodily resurrection of Jesus seems unnecessary to me. (As I quoted my wonderful friend earlier, "I believe all of it except Easter.") The atonement concept seems like a very early man concept, not too different from many weird ideas held by any number of primitives around the world at one time. (Not that modern man has advanced beyond primitive man in any appreciable way....There's "nothing new under the sun," after all, and you and I still have all the needs and wants that our earliest forbears had.) I revere - even worship - Jesus for who he was. And I try to follow what instruction he left as guidelines by which to live. If he did not return from the dead, that makes no difference to me. In fact, I don't see why God would need to depart from the natural order of things.
See part 2, next.
wb, made one last check and saw your post and I thank you for your encouragement, believer
Believer, may God bless your ministry to these kids!
hey mathetes and daniel, I'll be out of pocket for the next four days, I'll be a counselor at a camp for kids whose parents are messed up on drugs. It's not a Christian camp but I'm still looking forward to see how God will use me there. So if any one is looking for me let them know and you guys be blessed as you serve Him and mathetes I hope things go great at your interview this week, know I praying for you and your wife, believer