All of the news about gay marriage developments and all of the
resulting Facebook activity has filled my mind with many thoughts and my
heart with many emotions. And they're the sort you want to express to
the world, not just stir around inside yourself. I started sharing some
of them with Erin and a floodgate opened, so I decided it was time to
blog.
One of the most interesting things I've heard is a comparison between these issues and the civil rights movement of the 60s. I had never thought of it this way, because for me they're quite different. The exact opposite in fact. Racial segregation and oppression is the fruit of sin. So is sexual immorality, including homosexuality. The Bible is the authority for all Christians (if not they are counterfeits) and it is quite clear on both of these subjects- despite what the radical conservative "Christians" claimed in the 60s, despite what any liberal "Christians" claim today.
Now, I have to stop for a moment on the subject of sin. Christians believe that God is good and God is love and God is life. We believe rebellion against God (sin) separates us from him (naturally). We believe Jesus came to restore that relationship and that he is the only means by which that is possible. If you disagree with this, that's a much bigger issue; I only explain it here for the sake of clarity. That's where we come from. So, homosexuality is rebellion against God. And, despite what popular opinion says, it isn't good. The popular opinion on racism in the South was once very warped. The current popular opinion on homosexuality is warped. Homosexuality is no different from any other sin- not lust or adultery or divorce, not greed or hate or pride... They are tempting. They seem desirable. From time to time, from culture to culture, a particular brand of sin may be overlooked, accepted, or even embraced. But sins are sins, no matter what society thinks of them. They separate us from God, and I cannot support something that separates someone from God.
I have some gay acquaintances and many friends who take their side, and I have deep compassion each and every one. But I cannot agree with what they say or approve of what they do. I hate that my opinions are equated with hate. If you think me hateful for what I believe, you are just as judgmental and ignorant as those you oppose. Take the log out of your eye. My beliefs are founded on purest love.
I've been thinking about marriage a lot as I prepare for my own in August. Been learning a lot- studying scripture, reading books, listening to sermons, observing others... Marriage is a beautiful thing, and yet our own understanding of its glory is vastly undersized. The Bible teaches that marriage is the highest expression of God's love for us. It is intended to honor him and amaze us in ways to deep and numerous for us to grasp. When Jesus taught about marriage, he spoke so highly of it that even the conservative Jews of the day said, "If what you say is true, it's better to not get married at all!" His standards were so high above the world's that he sounded absurd. Yet that's what we are invited into, and Jesus has paved the way. I have the opportunity to love Erin like Jesus loved us- the ultimate displace of sacrificial love. I have the opportunity to make a covenant of kindness and faithfulness to Erin that mirror's God's eternal covenant with his children.
Now, I'm not going to poke around and attempt understanding why God set things up the way he did. But in his wisdom, he made us male and female. And he established marriage to be what I've just tried to describe. Divorce, adultery, homosexuality... These (and any other form of sexual sin) mock God's design. They challenge his wisdom. They reject both his authority and his love. They are sin, and God calls us out of them- for our benefit and his glory.
The biggest thing that concerns me, out of everything in the last two days, is Obama. It would be one thing for him to be a president that permitted gay marriage in a political sense. But support is something different altogether, and he went so far as to say Jesus would have. That is... wrong. False, Mr. President. But, what bothers me is not whether he is right or wrong. What bothers me is that he claims to be a Christian, but does not represent Christ. Jesus showed a great deal of compassion for the broken, sinful people of the world. He had little patience for the arrogant shepherds who misguided the people on God's behalf. My heart is heavy for him. He is the epitome of blind leading the blind, and the one leading is the first to fall in the hole. I sure hope his eyes are opened...
That's the first thing I need to say.
Next is the political aspect.
I'm quite frustrated by the political issue that gay marriage presents because my political leanings are somewhat at odds with... the rest of me, in this case. At what point does my responsibility to God call me to act, and at what point does it call me to stand back. Surely I'm not supposed to waltz around telling everyone how to live their lives. Jesus didn't do that, and he spent plenty of time with people he could have easily started preaching to and correcting. But when IS it time to put a foot down?
Think of it this way... Should we start lobbying for laws that prohibit divorce or adultery? Make it illegal to get divorced without a valid reason? Pay a fine for cheating on your spouse? God knows these issues have done more damage to our society than homosexuality (so far), and Jesus' stance on them is clear. So what's the difference between outlawing these and outlawing gay marriage? Or what about pornography? Clearly it's no good and needs to go, in a spiritual sense. But does who gets to draw the line on government censorship, and where does it go? However, on the other end of the spectrum we have a similar problem. There are laws to prohibit sex between family members, sex with animals, public displays of sexual activity... If we allow gay marriage for the sake of freedom and equality, where does it stop? Do we have to lift the laws on polygamy or public nudity? If men can take their shirts off in public, why can't women? So you see, it's a rather large spectrum. There is no black & white here, and so the government's authority is not black & white either. Where does it's jurisdiction begin and end? I'm not sure. More on this in just a bit.
To be clear, I do not support gay marriage at all. But I'm not entirely sure the government has any business concerning itself with the matter...
Quick rant...
The phrase "separation of church and state" was originally used to refer to the state not meddling with the church, not the other way around. As far as I know, it wasn't until JFK that the concept was flipped around the other way- some people worried his Catholicism would place him at odds with being president. The issue here concerns the church as an institution. Yes, the Catholic Church (or any other religious institution) should not come in and strong-arm the government. That does NOT mean we, as individuals or groups, shouldn't bring our beliefs into our politics. Please don't tell me not to.
So, back to the government's business... The growing, evolving political part of me thinks that this is an issue the government (at all levels) has NO business meddling with. Jesus said, " What God has joined together, let no man separate." God performs marriages people. (whether you believe it or not) I find it comical whenever I hear a wedding officiant spit out the whole "by the power vested in me by the state of wherever" spiel. Really? The state of Georgia has the final word on whether or not I'm married? On one hand I think it's cute. On the other I think it's offensive.
On top of this, I think it's dangerous for the government to start taking any strong social stances. If we give the government power to determine social issues today, who knows what it will do with that power 100 years from now. I think it's better to just say it's outside of the government's job description. But I'm an idealist. And unfortunately there are a number of practicalities involved with marriage which overlap with the government's jurisdiction. Which means the government has to somehow acknowledge marriages.
If the government does have to decide, I suppose I'm thankful for state governments. In the very least, it becomes a localized issue. Those people over there, from a different place with different values, can't tell me and my friends over here how we ought to live. That's mostly a good thing. I say mostly, because there are times when "those people over there" need to get up and do something about "me and my friends over here." This is true on many levels: internationally (America not being okay with the Holocaust) and nationally (the northern states not being okay with southern slavery). Is this one of those times? I don't know.
I think some of the questions that surround gay marriage boil down to the heart of government. To start, why does government exist? My opinion is that government exists because of sin. If we weren't sinful- perfect in compassion, kindness, humility, patience, self-control, godliness and living in an un-fallen world- there would be no need for a government. So government exists to protect us from broken people (each other) and a broken world, as best as it is able. It makes sense for the government to outlaw murder; that's one person direction taking from another. Plain and simple. Abortion is another where this comes out. The anti-abortionists believe a mother has no right to take the life of an unborn child. The pro-abortionists don't acknowledge the life of the child (or fetus or whatever they would say), and thus it becomes a non-issue (so much debating around abortion, but it's really that simple I think). So, does gay marriage directly harm another? I suppose not, in general. But then again, neither does public nudity (well... generally :)). Another stalemate.
All this to say, I don't have an answer. I'm certain of my beliefs. But I'm unsure how to exercise them politically. I take comfort in knowing that the mission Jesus gave his followers is to "make disciples of all nations." Whatever the politics are, my mission is clear.
To be honest, especially after what I've seen and heard from my generation, I think those against gay marriage are fighting a losing battle. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather live in a country of people who, like Nineveh, repent and turn to God. I'd love to see it. But I'm not expecting to. Perhaps I should have more hope and faith? But then even the apostles expected sin to prevail in the world. It seems to me that America will be a... different place in 20 years.
But it hardly matters, in a sense. My mission is clear. It may be harder; I may suffer more persecution. But as David Platt tweeted the other day, "Mission without suffering is Christianity without a cross." My children may grow up in a particularly broken world... They wouldn't be the first. I'm convinced the world is little match for good, Christ-centered parents. My children will be my sheep to shepherd, and I will do it well. My path is set. Love God, love people, make disciples.
One of the most interesting things I've heard is a comparison between these issues and the civil rights movement of the 60s. I had never thought of it this way, because for me they're quite different. The exact opposite in fact. Racial segregation and oppression is the fruit of sin. So is sexual immorality, including homosexuality. The Bible is the authority for all Christians (if not they are counterfeits) and it is quite clear on both of these subjects- despite what the radical conservative "Christians" claimed in the 60s, despite what any liberal "Christians" claim today.
Now, I have to stop for a moment on the subject of sin. Christians believe that God is good and God is love and God is life. We believe rebellion against God (sin) separates us from him (naturally). We believe Jesus came to restore that relationship and that he is the only means by which that is possible. If you disagree with this, that's a much bigger issue; I only explain it here for the sake of clarity. That's where we come from. So, homosexuality is rebellion against God. And, despite what popular opinion says, it isn't good. The popular opinion on racism in the South was once very warped. The current popular opinion on homosexuality is warped. Homosexuality is no different from any other sin- not lust or adultery or divorce, not greed or hate or pride... They are tempting. They seem desirable. From time to time, from culture to culture, a particular brand of sin may be overlooked, accepted, or even embraced. But sins are sins, no matter what society thinks of them. They separate us from God, and I cannot support something that separates someone from God.
I have some gay acquaintances and many friends who take their side, and I have deep compassion each and every one. But I cannot agree with what they say or approve of what they do. I hate that my opinions are equated with hate. If you think me hateful for what I believe, you are just as judgmental and ignorant as those you oppose. Take the log out of your eye. My beliefs are founded on purest love.
I've been thinking about marriage a lot as I prepare for my own in August. Been learning a lot- studying scripture, reading books, listening to sermons, observing others... Marriage is a beautiful thing, and yet our own understanding of its glory is vastly undersized. The Bible teaches that marriage is the highest expression of God's love for us. It is intended to honor him and amaze us in ways to deep and numerous for us to grasp. When Jesus taught about marriage, he spoke so highly of it that even the conservative Jews of the day said, "If what you say is true, it's better to not get married at all!" His standards were so high above the world's that he sounded absurd. Yet that's what we are invited into, and Jesus has paved the way. I have the opportunity to love Erin like Jesus loved us- the ultimate displace of sacrificial love. I have the opportunity to make a covenant of kindness and faithfulness to Erin that mirror's God's eternal covenant with his children.
Now, I'm not going to poke around and attempt understanding why God set things up the way he did. But in his wisdom, he made us male and female. And he established marriage to be what I've just tried to describe. Divorce, adultery, homosexuality... These (and any other form of sexual sin) mock God's design. They challenge his wisdom. They reject both his authority and his love. They are sin, and God calls us out of them- for our benefit and his glory.
The biggest thing that concerns me, out of everything in the last two days, is Obama. It would be one thing for him to be a president that permitted gay marriage in a political sense. But support is something different altogether, and he went so far as to say Jesus would have. That is... wrong. False, Mr. President. But, what bothers me is not whether he is right or wrong. What bothers me is that he claims to be a Christian, but does not represent Christ. Jesus showed a great deal of compassion for the broken, sinful people of the world. He had little patience for the arrogant shepherds who misguided the people on God's behalf. My heart is heavy for him. He is the epitome of blind leading the blind, and the one leading is the first to fall in the hole. I sure hope his eyes are opened...
That's the first thing I need to say.
Next is the political aspect.
I'm quite frustrated by the political issue that gay marriage presents because my political leanings are somewhat at odds with... the rest of me, in this case. At what point does my responsibility to God call me to act, and at what point does it call me to stand back. Surely I'm not supposed to waltz around telling everyone how to live their lives. Jesus didn't do that, and he spent plenty of time with people he could have easily started preaching to and correcting. But when IS it time to put a foot down?
Think of it this way... Should we start lobbying for laws that prohibit divorce or adultery? Make it illegal to get divorced without a valid reason? Pay a fine for cheating on your spouse? God knows these issues have done more damage to our society than homosexuality (so far), and Jesus' stance on them is clear. So what's the difference between outlawing these and outlawing gay marriage? Or what about pornography? Clearly it's no good and needs to go, in a spiritual sense. But does who gets to draw the line on government censorship, and where does it go? However, on the other end of the spectrum we have a similar problem. There are laws to prohibit sex between family members, sex with animals, public displays of sexual activity... If we allow gay marriage for the sake of freedom and equality, where does it stop? Do we have to lift the laws on polygamy or public nudity? If men can take their shirts off in public, why can't women? So you see, it's a rather large spectrum. There is no black & white here, and so the government's authority is not black & white either. Where does it's jurisdiction begin and end? I'm not sure. More on this in just a bit.
To be clear, I do not support gay marriage at all. But I'm not entirely sure the government has any business concerning itself with the matter...
Quick rant...
The phrase "separation of church and state" was originally used to refer to the state not meddling with the church, not the other way around. As far as I know, it wasn't until JFK that the concept was flipped around the other way- some people worried his Catholicism would place him at odds with being president. The issue here concerns the church as an institution. Yes, the Catholic Church (or any other religious institution) should not come in and strong-arm the government. That does NOT mean we, as individuals or groups, shouldn't bring our beliefs into our politics. Please don't tell me not to.
So, back to the government's business... The growing, evolving political part of me thinks that this is an issue the government (at all levels) has NO business meddling with. Jesus said, " What God has joined together, let no man separate." God performs marriages people. (whether you believe it or not) I find it comical whenever I hear a wedding officiant spit out the whole "by the power vested in me by the state of wherever" spiel. Really? The state of Georgia has the final word on whether or not I'm married? On one hand I think it's cute. On the other I think it's offensive.
On top of this, I think it's dangerous for the government to start taking any strong social stances. If we give the government power to determine social issues today, who knows what it will do with that power 100 years from now. I think it's better to just say it's outside of the government's job description. But I'm an idealist. And unfortunately there are a number of practicalities involved with marriage which overlap with the government's jurisdiction. Which means the government has to somehow acknowledge marriages.
If the government does have to decide, I suppose I'm thankful for state governments. In the very least, it becomes a localized issue. Those people over there, from a different place with different values, can't tell me and my friends over here how we ought to live. That's mostly a good thing. I say mostly, because there are times when "those people over there" need to get up and do something about "me and my friends over here." This is true on many levels: internationally (America not being okay with the Holocaust) and nationally (the northern states not being okay with southern slavery). Is this one of those times? I don't know.
I think some of the questions that surround gay marriage boil down to the heart of government. To start, why does government exist? My opinion is that government exists because of sin. If we weren't sinful- perfect in compassion, kindness, humility, patience, self-control, godliness and living in an un-fallen world- there would be no need for a government. So government exists to protect us from broken people (each other) and a broken world, as best as it is able. It makes sense for the government to outlaw murder; that's one person direction taking from another. Plain and simple. Abortion is another where this comes out. The anti-abortionists believe a mother has no right to take the life of an unborn child. The pro-abortionists don't acknowledge the life of the child (or fetus or whatever they would say), and thus it becomes a non-issue (so much debating around abortion, but it's really that simple I think). So, does gay marriage directly harm another? I suppose not, in general. But then again, neither does public nudity (well... generally :)). Another stalemate.
All this to say, I don't have an answer. I'm certain of my beliefs. But I'm unsure how to exercise them politically. I take comfort in knowing that the mission Jesus gave his followers is to "make disciples of all nations." Whatever the politics are, my mission is clear.
To be honest, especially after what I've seen and heard from my generation, I think those against gay marriage are fighting a losing battle. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather live in a country of people who, like Nineveh, repent and turn to God. I'd love to see it. But I'm not expecting to. Perhaps I should have more hope and faith? But then even the apostles expected sin to prevail in the world. It seems to me that America will be a... different place in 20 years.
But it hardly matters, in a sense. My mission is clear. It may be harder; I may suffer more persecution. But as David Platt tweeted the other day, "Mission without suffering is Christianity without a cross." My children may grow up in a particularly broken world... They wouldn't be the first. I'm convinced the world is little match for good, Christ-centered parents. My children will be my sheep to shepherd, and I will do it well. My path is set. Love God, love people, make disciples.
1 comment:
Josh,
I really love the way you have worded this. I read your most recent post as well and I think you have hit it on the head. Thanks for sharing your wisdom :)
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