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He That Has Ears To Hear, Let Him Hear
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Gay Marriage - How Should a Christian Respond to it?
How can a Christian love the sinner and hate the sin?
But there is a spirit in man: and the inspiration of the Almighty gives them understanding. Great men are not always wise: neither do the aged understand judgment. Job 32:8-9 (Trinity - Created in His image)
The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly. Proverbs 20:27 (Trinity - Created in His image)
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7 (Trinity - Created in His image)
And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knows your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. Luke 16:15
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (Overlooked in the love chapter?)
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart. For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. For the love of Christ constrains us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as
though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;
that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
2 Corinthians 5 (Trinity -
Created in His image)
The column following these examples is just one of many that could easily be posted here.
A few examples are:
1. Gender Identity, The Homosexual Agenda and The Christian Response - An essay by Mark Alexander, Executive Editor and Publisher, PatriotPost.US2. Were David and Jonathan Gay Lovers? http://www.tektonics.org/gk/gaydavid.html
3. Does the Bible Object More to Homophobia than to Homosexuality? Lureen LaFountaine and John Rankin (Debate) http://www.bridges-across.org/ba/rankin_lafountaine_part3.htm
4. Does the Bible indicate that David and Jonathan shared a homosexual relationship? http://www.rbc.org/bible_study/answers_to_tough_questions/answers/30833.aspx
5. Theological Education Institute A Vision for "First the Gospel, Then Politics..." A Passion for "The Love of Hard Questions." http://www.teinetwork.com/
6. Why doesn't the mainstream media report these FACTS? The increase in children being born out of wedlock in Scandinavia since marriage was redefined! William Murray, the chairman of the Religious Freedom Coalition, warns of the dangers of legalizing same-sex marriage in the United States. He says Scandinavia has had nearly a decade of legal homosexual marriage, and it has nearly destroyed the institution of marriage altogether. More details: http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/4/132004c.asp (See more facts at Lifestyle Consequences of homosexuals.
7.
Addressing the "Hate" Fallacy
8 Gay Christian
Movement Watch (GCMW) is a cutting edge Christian ministry whose mission is to
monitor, analyze and publish (MAP) the activities, leaders and public
theological positions of the “gay Christian movement”. GCMW is the
foremost voice of truth against the unbiblical acceptance of homosexuality in
the contemporary Christian church. GCM Watch is an extensive clearinghouse of
documentation and we welcome inquiries from seminaries, church officials or
concerned Christians who want to fight the inclusion of this destructive
teaching in our Lord’s church. Additionally, we welcome inquiries from religion
reporters and writers about the nature of our work and this blog.
"Therefore I will say that
the incumbency upon those who argue that homosexuality is God's gift is to
show it is in the order of creation and it honors the God, life, choice, sex
paradigm and doesn't subscribe to a sex, choice, life, God paradigm." John
Rankin
Gay Marriage - How Should a
Christian Respond to it? In today’s secularized culture, it’s practically impossible to
avoid being bombarded with the message that homosexual behavior is a normal and
acceptable lifestyle. Popular television shows like ER, Will & Grace
and Desperate Housewives promote this destructive message and Hollywood
further endorses it through movies like Brokeback Mountain. This message of tolerance for gays and lesbians comes not only
from Hollywood, but also from our public education system. The gay marriage
issue is at the center of the worldview wars. While many states are debating
same-sex marriage initiatives, the US Government is considering the Federal
Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as the union between a man and a
woman only. But what does the Bible say about gay marriage? How should a
Christian respond to this issue? Ken Ham
addresses these questions in Chapter 11 of War of the Worldviews. As Ham explains in this chapter, homosexual behavior and the gay
marriage controversy are ultimately not the problems in our culture, but are
symptoms of a much deeper problem. Even though it’s obvious from the Bible that
homosexual behavior and gay marriage are an abomination (Romans 1 and other passages make this very clear), there is a
foundational reason as to why there is an increasing acceptance of these ills in
America and societies like it. As Ham writes, ultimately it comes down to an issue of authority:
how does a culture determine what is “right” and what is “wrong”? If the
majority agrees on a set of standards, what happens when that majority is
replaced by a different majority? Ham explains in this chapter that the majority in power in many of
our Western societies once believed the institution of marriage should be one
man for one woman. But this has changed. Many are now allowing “gay marriage.”
So how long before polygamous or pedophiliac relationships are allowed, which
some people are starting to advocate? Who is to say they are wrong if the
majority agrees with them? Ham also reminds us that the majority in power in many of our
Western nations once believed abortion was wrong—but now the majority in power
doesn’t believe this, so the rules have been changed here, too. Surely the church has the answer on how to deal with this issue,
which continues to make headline news around the world. Sadly, that is not the
case among some denominations and churches. Consider the following: In November 2003, a part of the Episcopal Church voted to ordain
a gay bishop. Thus, the world saw part of the church as now condoning
homosexual behavior.1 On March 18, 2004, the Pacific Northwest Conference of the
United Methodist Church in America supported a lesbian pastor. Once again, the
world looked on as a large denomination legitimized homosexual behavior.2 As part of the public debate on the gay marriage issue, many
church leaders have been interviewed on national TV programs and asked to share
their position on this topic. Ham explains that while the majority of church
leaders have been speaking against gay unions and have been defending marriage
as being between one man and one woman, many of these same church leaders have
not been able to adequately defend their position. So, what should a Christian’s response be to gay marriage? As Ham
points out, even in a secular context, the only answer a Christian should offer
is: The Bible is the Word of our Creator, and Genesis is literal
history. Its science and history can be trusted. Therefore, we have an
absolute authority that determines marriage. God made the first man and woman—the first marriage. Thus,
marriage can only be a man and a woman because we are accountable to the One
who made marriage in the first place. And don’t forget—according to Scripture, one of the primary
reasons for marriage is to produce godly offspring.3 Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply,
but there’s no way a gay marriage can fulfill this command! So, does believing in millions of years and other evolutionary
ideas cause social ills like gay marriage? That is not the stand that AiG takes,
as Ham points out: It is accurate to say that the increasing acceptance of
homosexual behavior and gay marriage has gone hand in hand with the popularity
and acceptance of millions of years and evolutionary ideas. But this does not
mean that every person who believes in millions of years/evolution accepts gay
marriage or condones homosexual behavior. In summary, the battle against gay marriage will ultimately be
lost (like the battle against abortion) unless the church and the culture return
to the absolute authority of the Bible, beginning in Genesis. Then and only then
will there be a true foundation for the correct doctrine of marriage—one man for
one woman for life.Does the church have the answer?
Gay marriage—is evolution the cause?
Recommended resources
References and notes
Originally and also available online
at:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/wow/preview/part10.asp
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© 2006 Answers in
Genesis
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