Writer: Michael Bryant
Christians who have followed the debate over homosexual practice/gay marriage have likely noticed that advocates of the pro-homosexual position use a number of arguments to advance their cause. Below are three arguments frequently presented, followed by a brief critique.
Bryant
“Gay marriage is a matter of equal rights.”
For more than a decade, proponents of same-sex marriage have presented their cause in terms of a fundamental “right.” Given America’s deep-seated commitment to civil rights, this “rights strategy” has been quite persuasive. No one wants to deny anyone his or her rights. That would be discriminatory. Nevertheless, one cannot limit the debate about gay marriage solely to one’s supposed rights. That would be reductionistic. Discussions about marriage must also include careful reflection on its moral nature.
Generally speaking, people should be allowed to marry whomever they wish. However, because marriage is closely related to morality, one does not have a fundamental “right” to enter into any kind of sexual relationship and declare that union a legal marriage. Most people would deny that a man has a “right” to have his polygamous relationship with five women recognized as a legal marriage. In addition, most would deny that a man has a “right” to have his incestuous relationship with his sister recognized as a legal marriage. Finally, most would deny that a 70-year-old grandfather has a “right” to have his incestuous relationship with his 20-year-old grandson recognized as a legal marriage. Why? People deny such claims to one’s “rights” because they reject these unions as acceptable examples of a moral marriage. Do they discriminate? Well, technically, yes. However, since the dawn of civilization, people have always discriminated as to what does or does not constitute a marriage—because they have recognized that marriage is tied to morality. If one didn’t discriminate, he would have to allow other types of unions (incestuous, polygamous) to be recognized as a marriage.
“One can reconcile homosexual practice/gay marriage with Scripture.”
Various arguments are sometimes used to suggest that it is possible to reconcile Scripture with homosexual practice/gay marriage (e.g., “God is a God of love” or “Jesus never explicitly condemned homosexuality”). However, correctly interpreted Scripture strongly rejects homosexual practice as morally acceptable behavior for a believer. Paul describes homosexual practice as unnatural and shameful (Romans 1:26-27), as a lifestyle that will prohibit one from inheriting the kingdom (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) and as contrary to sound doctrine (1 Timothy 1:10).
Scripture also teaches that same-sex relations are contrary to God’s original design and intent for men and women. As to design, God made humans male and female, two distinct genders to complement one another in a one-flesh union (Genesis 2:20b-24). Jesus himself affirmed this view (Matthew 19:4-6). Two of the same gender in a marriage would contradict the Creator’s original design for a complementary, one-flesh union. As to God’s intent for humans, those whom he created in his divine image (Genesis 1:26-27) are to serve as stewards of creation, which includes producing children (Genesis 1:27-30; see also verse 26). Two of the same gender cannot fulfill this role. Only as male and female can they carry out God’s intent.
Finally, the Bible suggests that homosexual practice is a sin tied to the non-Christian life (1 Corinthians 6:9-11, see v. 11 especially). In discussing the pre-conversion life of the Corinthian believers, Paul says that is how some of them once lived, which suggests not only that homosexual practice is an activity linked to the non-Christian life but also that God is able to save and sanctify people from this behavior. This does not mean that after conversion one who formerly practiced same-sex relations (or any other sexual sin) will not struggle. Most believers struggle with some type of sexual sin (e.g., lust, pornography). Nevertheless, our sovereign God is greater than our sin and is able to transform us morally, working out our salvation in this life (Philippians 2:13) and completing it in the next (Philippians 3:21). He will not abandon us in our sexual sin, regardless of its severity (2 Samuel 11:4; 12:13).
“Christianity’s rejection of homosexual practice/gay marriage is out of the mainstream in regard to what most educated and enlightened people accept as normal sexual behavior.”
Believers in every age have sought to follow a sexual ethic that has stood in stark contrast to the world’s ethic. In the first century, Greco-Roman pagan culture viewed intimate relations with a temple prostitute as normal, even for respectable men (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). Pagans also accepted and celebrated (in the myth of Zeus and Ganymede) pederasty—intimate relations between an older man and an adolescent male. Pederasty, in fact, was the most common form of homosexual practice in ancient times. As these early Christians sought to follow God’s Word, the pagan majority regarded them as backward, ignorant and restrictive. We should not be surprised, then, when criticized by the world today as we seek to follow the Bible’s sexual ethic.
Conclusion
Our post-Christian culture constantly challenges Scripture’s view of homosexuality. Believers must listen carefully to people’s arguments and evaluate them in light of Scripture, history and reason. Afterward, they should present the Christian position in a spirit of sincere love (Matthew 22:39; 5:44), treating even the harshest critics with the respect due to one made in God’s image (Genesis 1:26-27).
— Michael Bryant is dean of the School of Christian Studies and associate professor of Christian studies at Charleston Southern University.