As soon as God brought the first man and woman together, he prescribed the nature of their relationship. He said the words that are quoted at many weddings:
Genesis 2:24-25 (TNIV)
"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh. The man and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame."
In this power packed verse is the standard for sex without shame. Here we are given the marriage ideal, not only for Adam and Eve, but for all women and men. After all, it says "a man will leave his father and mother." Adam had no father and mother to leave. These words were written for us. Here we are given the way for sex without shame.
If this was all you read, you might not realize that God was setting a precedent for how things should be in the future. In other words, we are not only reading a story about Adam and Eve; we are reading about a pattern of relationship that applies beyond Adam and Eve.
We know this because the words were quoted several times in the Bible.
· Ephesians 5:28-33 Paul cited Gen. 2:26 as the reason for husbands needing to love their wives.
· 1 Corinthians 6:15-17 - This is the reason to avoid prostitutes – and all fornication – or sex outside of marriage.
· Matthew 19:4-6 - Jesus upheld this precedent as God's positive ethic for human sexuality, which rules out divorce.
· Mark 10:6-9 – Jesus is again quoted upholding and affirming Gen. 2:26 as God's marriage ideal.
Of course, we have many questions about Adam and Eve and marriage as described in the Bible. Is the number, two, essential to marriage, or might a man have more than one wife. It is two say all four New Testament quotations. Not many are asking this question, but some are. How would you answer? Does God approve of polygamy?
More often, the question comes up about gender. Does God's marriage ideal have any room for same-sex unions. Again, the answer that comes from a thorough study of sexuality in the Bible is "No." That is my conclusion after numerous studies and discussions. But, many disagree. What do you think? I would like to hear from you.
I can say this – you will have an easier time making a biblical case for polygamous marriage than for homosexual marriage. Both practices were condemned in the Bible, but in the case of polygamy, you can find references to multiple wives where the narrator does not condemn the practice. The same cannot be said of homosexual practice. It is condemned everytime it is mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments. Here are a few to look up:
1 Corinthians 7:2-3 – affirms marriage of man and woman
Scriptures on Homosexuality
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
1 Timothy 1:8-11
Romans 1:26-27
Leviticus 20:13
How Presbyterians Define Marriage
From the Book of Worship: W-4.9001 Christian Marriage
Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the wellbeing of the entire human family.
Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man.
For Christians marriage is a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.
There were attempts to change this definition to be inclusive of homosexual unions at the recent General Assembly meeting in San Jose. As with past attempts, they failed; the definition remains.
What do you think? Here's your chance to sound off. Just leave a comment, anonymously, if you prefer.
4 comments:
I think an important distinction needs to be made between civil marriage and religious marriage.
The Presbyterian definition notes that marriage is a civil contract in one paragraph and also a covenant with God in another paragraph.
The state has provided for a civil marriage to achieve goals that are different from those discussed in the Bible. Promotion of family in a broad sense and allowing individuals to pool their resources in a collaborative effort to produce wealth are among those goals. To achieve this, society has provided certain benefits to married couples. Tax advantages are certainly one line of benefits, but there are many others, such as inheritance, hospital visitation, and spousal privileges in litigation contexts. These benefits have only been doled to couples consisting of a man and a woman as a matter of historical fact, not without influence from the church, but there are no compelling secular reasons to withhold these benefits from couples consisting of two men or two women.
As for religious marriage, this is where biblical text comes in. Churches and God-fearing individuals have the opportunity to decide what they believe is the ideal for marriage, guided by God's word. Some churches have adopted broader definitions of marriage, while others have steadfastly retained the traditional definition.
The fact is, the ballot measure up for the vote in November relates purely to the civil marriage concept. Churches are not compelled to perform religious ceremonies for marriages that they do not condone.
Good points. Thank you for your thoughtful response.
Proposition 8: Forum on Gay Marriage
Sunday, October 19th, 7 PM, Fireside Room.
Should same-sex couples have the right to marry in California? California voters said no in 2000 (Prop. 22). On May 15, 2008, the California Supreme Court overturned the gay marriage ban. Opponents of gay marriage placed Proposition 8 on the November ballot. Proposition 8 provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." How should followers of Jesus Christ respond to this challenge? The forum will address that question. Participants will have the opportunity to hear two varying viewpoints on Prop. 8, and then they can offer their own views in a respectful manner. Loren Dooley will moderate. All are welcome to come, listen and participate. Then, vote as God leads you.
Fireside Room is at First Presbyterian Church of Petaluma
www.petalumafirst.com
Post a Comment