Goespel-Centered Resources For Thinking About Same-Sex Marriage

For all the coverage and conversation about the issue of same-sex marriage, there seems to be very little that I would consider Gospel-centered in a way that is consistent with my understanding of the Gospel of Grace.  I'm happy to pass on these resources that I've found helpful.

• An Open Letter to the Church from a Lesbian

Have you been Christ-like in your relationships with us? Would you meet us at the well, or restaurant, for a cup of water, or coffee? Would you touch us even if we showed signs of leprosy, or aids? Would you call us down from our trees, as Christ did Zacchaeus, and invite yourself to be our guest? Would you allow us to sit at your table and break bread?

To those of you who would change the church to accept the gay community and its lifestyle: you give us no hope at all. .  .  . You are willing to compromise the word of God to be politically correct. We are not deceived. If we accept your willingness to compromise, then we must also compromise. We must therefore accept your lying, your adultery, your lust, your idolatry, your addictions, YOUR sins.

This article is a real two-edged sword. Click Here For Entire Post

• A Social Experiment Without Science Behind It: Advocates of same-sex marriages can't back up claims about positive long-term effects.

Social-science advocacy organizations, however, have promoted the myth that a lack of evidence, so far, of bad effects implies the nonexistence of such effects.

This is a readable review of the social science research – actually the lack of social science research – into the ramifications of same-sex marriage.  The well-kept secret is that the more rigorous the study, the more troubling the outcomes for the people and children effected. Click Here For Entire Post

• Old Testament Law and The Charge of Inconsistency

Once you grant the main premise of the Bible—about the surpassing significance of Christ and his salvation—then all the various parts of the Bible make sense. Because of Christ, the ceremonial law is repealed. Because of Christ the church is no longer a nation-state imposing civil penalties. It all falls into place. However, if you reject the idea of Christ as Son of God and Savior, then, of course, the Bible is at best a mish-mash containing some inspiration and wisdom, but most of it would have to be rejected as foolish or erroneous.

It has become fashionable to accuse Christians of being selective of their reading of the Bible and inconsistent in its application, particularly the Old Testament: “You condemn homosexuality, but you eat pork and shellfish which the Old Testament condemns.”  Tim Keller gives a thoughtful response. Click Here For Entire Post

• Why the Arguments for Gay Marriage Are Persuasive

I don’t think the arguments or gay marriage are biblically faithfully, logically persuasive, or good for human flourishing in the long run, but they are almost impossible to overcome with most Americans, especially in younger generations. By and large, people don’t support gay marriage because they’ve done a lot of reading and soul searching, just like people didn’t oppose it on high flying intellectual grounds either. .  .  .Gay marriage is the logical conclusion to a long argument, which means convincing people it’s a bad idea requires overturning some of our most cherished values and most powerful ideologies.

A good analysis of the arguments put forth in support of same-sex marriage.  Most helpful though are his guidelines for a faithful, Gospel-centered response by the church. Click Here For Entire Post