A christian case for gay marriage

What God Has Joined Together: The Christian Case for Gay Marriage by David G. Myers & Letha Dawson Scanzoni HarperSanFrancisco, What God Has Joined Together is an effort to bridge the divide between marriage-supporting and gay-supporting people of faith by showing why both sides have important things to say. Gay marriage has become the most important domestic social issue facing twenty-first-century Americans -- particularly Americans of faith.

Most Christians are pro-marriage and hold traditional family values, but should they endorse extending marriage rights to gays and lesbians?. The implications of that statement ought to apply to marriage, as well. — What is the alternative? We cannot view this as simply a choice between endorsing same-sex marriage or maintaining the status quo.

Instead, it is a choice between endorsing same-sex marriage or endorsing the new idea of mandatory lifelong celibacy. In the end he affirms that “Christian churches should bless same-sex unions,” but he makes his argument more by negating the confusions of straight marriage than by constructing a positive case. But they quickly shift to the issue of homosexual for gay marriage.

After recognizing the benefits that are common to heterosexual marriage, the authors argue: "Studies done before the advent of twenty-first century gay marriage reveal 'striking similarities' in the love and satisfaction experienced by same-sex couples and heterosexual couples.". In Genesis 1 you see pairs of different but complementary fors gay marriage made to work together: heaven and earth, sea and land, even God and humanity.

Vines writes, for example, that the Bible supported slavery and that most Christians used to believe that some form of slavery was condoned by the Bible, but we have now come to see that all slavery is christian case. This is just not true. Many parents will agree that having children was simply the best thing they ever did or achieved or experienced. The Old Testament case is answered here.

Experience of sound Christian teachings should show good fruit, not bad fruit. Supporters often see gender and sexuality as different issues, and see sexuality expressed on a spectrum, rather than simply male and female. Vines asserts that he maintains a belief in biblical authority, but with arguments like this one he is actually undermining it. In Romans 2, he speaks to his fellow Jews, saying that even one violation of the Law renders them in need of reconciliation to God.

The arc of Scripture points toward inclusion, not exclusion. Delivered by FeedBurner. Over the last year or so I and other pastors at Redeemer have been regularly asked for responses to their arguments. Download an excerpt from the revised and expanded edition of God and the Gay Christian.

What God Has Joined Together | David Myers

We live in a time in which civility and love in these discussions is fast going away, and I am thankful the authors are not part of the angry, caustic flow. This is one of the key defining issues of our age. Vines argues that while the Levitical code forbids homosexuality Leviticus it also forbids eating shellfish Leviticus There is no distinction to be made.

Here are two examples.

IF it is sin, WHY is it sin? Lesbians cut their hair short and try to look and act like men. It also often relies on defining the purpose of marriage and sex as procreation. I believe symbolism is important to God. I hope I have done so with equal civility. Both Vines and Wilson largely assume these cultural narratives. It takes a man and a woman to make a child, and a father and mother to raise one properly. The Christian faith will always be offensive to every culture at some points.

Loader is the most prominent expert on ancient and biblical views of sexuality, having written five large and two small volumes in his lifetime. Highlights from our May 9, Congregational Meeting. I will ensure I deal with lesbian issues too as the series continues.