President Barack Obama made history with his recent declaration, "It is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married." His statement marks the first time a U.S. president has publicly endorsed gay marriage.
Our President may have endorsed same sex marriage, but does God? In this post I want to answer the question: What does the Bible say about same sex marriage?
1. God's plan for marriage is revealed in the Creation Account of Genesis 2
Genesis 2:18-24, The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” The Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
These verses set very clear parameters for marriage: How many people? Two. Which genders? Both - but only one of each. This is the biblical norm and the biblical standard. If there are exceptions that are allowed or encouraged, we ought to find them clearly delineated - but we don’t. Since that’s the case, this foundational passage should remain the controlling Scripture for understanding God’s design for marriage: Marriage was and is intended by God to be shared between one man and one woman for life.
2. God’s plan for marriage is revealed in the gender specific references to marriage throughout the Bible
Ephesians 5:22-25 says, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."
Wives = female gender in the Greek
Husbands = male gender in the Greek
Note: Every single reference to marriage in Scripture is gender specific (between a male and a female).
3. God's plan for marriage is revealed in the numerous references to homosexuality in the Bible
In Leviticus, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy, homosexuality is mentioned in the context of sexual and immoral behavior. The context is quite clear - a variety of behaviors are prohibited. Homosexuality (along with adultery, fornication, and idolatry) is one of them.
Old Testament
Leviticus 18:22, Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 20:13, If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
New Testament
Romans 1:25-27, They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Timothy 1:9-11, We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
The Bible, in both the Old and New Testament forbids the practice of homosexuality. Therefore, same sex marriage could never and will never be a part of God's plan for our lives.
Note: Some people have pointed out that there are certain teachings from the Old Testament that we no longer follow today and wonder whether or not the forbiddance of homosexuality falls into the category of things that are no longer applicable for us who live today. I can totally understand why people ask this question, but let me explain. Certain commands in the Old Testament are repealed in the New Testament, while others are repeated. We who live today are not responsible to practice those Old Testament commands that have been repealed in the New Testament, but that which was commanded or forbidden in the Old Testament and then again commanded or forbidden in the New Testament, must still be observed. As I've shown you above, the New Testament repeats the forbiddance of homosexuality in the Old Testament. Since the teaching of homosexuality as a sin is repeated and not repealed, it is just as unacceptable in God's sight today as it was back in Old Testament times.
Note: Some people, President Obama included, believe the Golden Rule, which states that we should treat others the way we ourselves would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), requires them to support a lifestyle the Bible clearly calls sinful. They are mistaken. That's as foolish an application of Matthew 7:12 as was Satan's application of Psalm 91:11-12 (see Matthew 4:6). A homosexual person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. He or she may be acting out a lifestyle which Christians understand to be unbiblical; but so are any of us who practice slander, gossip, heterosexual lust, pride or gluttony. So-called "gay bashing" is always wrong. Any action or attitude which demeans a person or makes them less valuable is the opposite of the grace and unconditional love of Christ. With that said, while the Golden Rule does encourage us to treat everyone with the unconditional love of Christ, it does not encourage us to support a lifestyle the Bible calls sinful.
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that God's instructions, his commands and prohibitions, were given to us for our good, for our prosperity and our preservation (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 6:24). By faith Christians trust God that since he made us, he knows how we work best. God's best plan for our lives is spelled out clearly in the Bible, and as it relates to marriage God says that what is best is for one man to be married to one woman for life. For those tempted to practice the homosexual lifestyle or for those in the homosexual lifestyle I think God would say: I love you. I created you. I know the best way you could possibly live your life. Don't settle for anything less than my best. For anyone desiring to come out of the homosexual lifestyle, there is hope. After including homosexuality in a list of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9), Paul told the Corinthians "And that is what some of you were. but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). The same Jesus that gave new life to people practicing homosexuality back then, is the same Jesus who will give new life to people practicing homosexuality today, if they will turn from their sin and turn to Him.
1. God's plan for marriage is revealed in the Creation Account of Genesis 2
Genesis 2:18-24, The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.” The Lord God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals. But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.
These verses set very clear parameters for marriage: How many people? Two. Which genders? Both - but only one of each. This is the biblical norm and the biblical standard. If there are exceptions that are allowed or encouraged, we ought to find them clearly delineated - but we don’t. Since that’s the case, this foundational passage should remain the controlling Scripture for understanding God’s design for marriage: Marriage was and is intended by God to be shared between one man and one woman for life.
2. God’s plan for marriage is revealed in the gender specific references to marriage throughout the Bible
Ephesians 5:22-25 says, "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her..."
Wives = female gender in the Greek
Husbands = male gender in the Greek
Note: Every single reference to marriage in Scripture is gender specific (between a male and a female).
3. God's plan for marriage is revealed in the numerous references to homosexuality in the Bible
In Leviticus, Romans, 1 Corinthians, and 1 Timothy, homosexuality is mentioned in the context of sexual and immoral behavior. The context is quite clear - a variety of behaviors are prohibited. Homosexuality (along with adultery, fornication, and idolatry) is one of them.
Old Testament
Leviticus 18:22, Do not have sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman; that is detestable.
Leviticus 20:13, If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.
New Testament
Romans 1:25-27, They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Timothy 1:9-11, We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.
The Bible, in both the Old and New Testament forbids the practice of homosexuality. Therefore, same sex marriage could never and will never be a part of God's plan for our lives.
Note: Some people have pointed out that there are certain teachings from the Old Testament that we no longer follow today and wonder whether or not the forbiddance of homosexuality falls into the category of things that are no longer applicable for us who live today. I can totally understand why people ask this question, but let me explain. Certain commands in the Old Testament are repealed in the New Testament, while others are repeated. We who live today are not responsible to practice those Old Testament commands that have been repealed in the New Testament, but that which was commanded or forbidden in the Old Testament and then again commanded or forbidden in the New Testament, must still be observed. As I've shown you above, the New Testament repeats the forbiddance of homosexuality in the Old Testament. Since the teaching of homosexuality as a sin is repeated and not repealed, it is just as unacceptable in God's sight today as it was back in Old Testament times.
Note: Some people, President Obama included, believe the Golden Rule, which states that we should treat others the way we ourselves would want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), requires them to support a lifestyle the Bible clearly calls sinful. They are mistaken. That's as foolish an application of Matthew 7:12 as was Satan's application of Psalm 91:11-12 (see Matthew 4:6). A homosexual person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. He or she may be acting out a lifestyle which Christians understand to be unbiblical; but so are any of us who practice slander, gossip, heterosexual lust, pride or gluttony. So-called "gay bashing" is always wrong. Any action or attitude which demeans a person or makes them less valuable is the opposite of the grace and unconditional love of Christ. With that said, while the Golden Rule does encourage us to treat everyone with the unconditional love of Christ, it does not encourage us to support a lifestyle the Bible calls sinful.
Conclusion
The Bible teaches that God's instructions, his commands and prohibitions, were given to us for our good, for our prosperity and our preservation (Deuteronomy 10:12-13, 6:24). By faith Christians trust God that since he made us, he knows how we work best. God's best plan for our lives is spelled out clearly in the Bible, and as it relates to marriage God says that what is best is for one man to be married to one woman for life. For those tempted to practice the homosexual lifestyle or for those in the homosexual lifestyle I think God would say: I love you. I created you. I know the best way you could possibly live your life. Don't settle for anything less than my best. For anyone desiring to come out of the homosexual lifestyle, there is hope. After including homosexuality in a list of sins (1 Corinthians 6:9), Paul told the Corinthians "And that is what some of you were. but you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:11). The same Jesus that gave new life to people practicing homosexuality back then, is the same Jesus who will give new life to people practicing homosexuality today, if they will turn from their sin and turn to Him.
Thank you for this Pastor Mike! It really does give sciptural weight to understanding God's stance on the topic (which is all that really matters), but also these passages provide support in equipping us to make educated statements on the topic without committing blashphemy or slander ourselves.
ReplyDeletethumbs up
ReplyDeleteIf this is what The Bible says on gay marriage, then I'm happy I'm no longer religious. Gay marriage is a civil rights issue, not a religious issue.
ReplyDeleteno longer religious? just because you've changed your views to satisfy your itching ear syndrome or lifestyle, doesn't mean that God has changed his to conform to you. he is the same yesterday today and forever.
DeleteThe Bible does not change what it says to accomodate todays issues whether civil, social, or moral. It is what it is, and as Christians we are bound to ALL of it, not what some would pick and choose to follow.
ReplyDeletePastor, how do you respond to people who use the "born this way" statement when it comes to homosexuality? What gets me is that those that condone homosexuality must also condone bisexuality and transexuality...GLBT.
ReplyDeleteFYI Steven Bennett is a great resource for homosexuality issues, as he was once a homosexual and has found the Lord and is married with 2 children and lives in CT.
Mike, thanks for having the courage to take a stand for the Lord and plainly speak the truth in a humble way. As you point out, in God's eyes, sin is sin ... Whether it be homosexuality, adultery, stealing, lying, etc.
ReplyDeleteLet us hate the sin and not the people who are living in that sin and may the power of God open their eyes to the truth and may the truth set them free!
thank you pastor Mike for informing and teaching all of us. It is helpful to have a pastor that will take a stand and support it with scripture, it has helped me and given me clarity.
ReplyDeleteThat is very well written. I agree that homosexuality is not what God wants for us. I also understand that God gives everyone free choice to follow Him or not and that His laws are for people who choose to follow Him. So, I guess I am okay with gays getting married in civil unions but if a Christian gay wants to say practicing homosexuality is okay, it is not. I do believe many gay people are born with the urge to like the same sex people- we all have something that we struggle with that we have to give up for our love and trust of God. We are all sinners- going our own ways. We have to choose to trust God and trust that God's ways are best and that He knows things that have not been revealed to us. We must show God's love to all and know that God's love is for all- while we were yet sinners He died for us. God is spirit and not flesh and we should not let anything of the flesh blind us to God's promises for our eternity. It is hard to give up anything for someone you don't know, but once a person comes to know, love and understand God, it becomes easier to give things up, knowing that God will give us a million times more than anything we can have in this world.
ReplyDelete