Gay marriage—how should a Christian respond to it?

War of the Worldviews sneak preview series: part 10

See table of contents and list of authors.

by Pam S. Sheppard, staff writer, AiG–USA

February 18, 2006

In today’s secularized culture, it’s practically impossible to avoid being bombarded with the message that homosexual behavior is a normal and acceptable lifestyle. Popular television shows like ER, Will & Grace and Desperate Housewives promote this destructive message and Hollywood further endorses it through movies like Brokeback Mountain.

This message of tolerance for gays and lesbians comes not only from Hollywood, but also from our public education system. The gay marriage issue is at the center of the worldview wars. While many states are debating same-sex marriage initiatives, the US Government is considering the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as the union between a man and a woman only.

But what does the Bible say about gay marriage? How should a Christian respond to this issue? Ken Ham addresses these questions in Chapter 11 of War of the Worldviews.

As Ham explains in this chapter, homosexual behavior and the gay marriage controversy are ultimately not the problems in our culture, but are symptoms of a much deeper problem. Even though it’s obvious from the Bible that homosexual behavior and gay marriage are an abomination (Romans 1 and other passages make this very clear), there is a foundational reason as to why there is an increasing acceptance of these ills in America and societies like it.

As Ham writes, ultimately it comes down to an issue of authority: how does a culture determine what is “right” and what is “wrong”? If the majority agrees on a set of standards, what happens when that majority is replaced by a different majority?

Ham explains in this chapter that the majority in power in many of our Western societies once believed the institution of marriage should be one man for one woman. But this has changed. Many are now allowing “gay marriage.” So how long before polygamous or pedophiliac relationships are allowed, which some people are starting to advocate? Who is to say they are wrong if the majority agrees with them?

Ham also reminds us that the majority in power in many of our Western nations once believed abortion was wrong—but now the majority in power doesn’t believe this, so the rules have been changed here, too.

Does the church have the answer?

Surely the church has the answer on how to deal with this issue, which continues to make headline news around the world. Sadly, that is not the case among some denominations and churches. Consider the following:

• In November 2003, a part of the Episcopal Church voted to ordain a gay bishop. Thus, the world saw part of the church as now condoning homosexual behavior.¹

• On March 18, 2004, the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church in America supported a lesbian pastor. Once again, the world looked on as a large denomination legitimized homosexual behavior.²

As part of the public debate on the gay marriage issue, many church leaders have been interviewed on national TV programs and asked to share their position on this topic. Ham explains that while the majority of church leaders have been speaking against gay unions and have been defending marriage as being between one man and one woman, many of these same church leaders have not been able to adequately defend their position.

So, what should a Christian’s response be to gay marriage? As Ham points out, even in a secular context, the only answer a Christian should offer is:

The Bible is the Word of our Creator, and Genesis is literal history. Its science and history can be trusted. Therefore, we have an absolute authority that determines marriage.

God made the first man and woman—the first marriage. Thus, marriage can only be a man and a woman because we are accountable to the One who made marriage in the first place.

And don’t forget—according to Scripture, one of the primary reasons for marriage is to produce godly offspring.³ Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply, but there’s no way a gay marriage can fulfill this command!

Gay marriage—is evolution the cause?

So, does believing in millions of years and other evolutionary ideas cause social ills like gay marriage? That is not the stand that AiG takes, as Ham points out:

It is accurate to say that the increasing acceptance of homosexual behavior and gay marriage has gone hand in hand with the popularity and acceptance of millions of years and evolutionary ideas. But this does not mean that every person who believes in millions of years/evolution accepts gay marriage or condones homosexual behavior.

In summary, the battle against gay marriage will ultimately be lost (like the battle against abortion) unless the church and the culture return to the absolute authority of the Bible, beginning in Genesis. Then and only then will there be a true foundation for the correct doctrine of marriage—one man for one woman for life.

References and notes

1. “Episcopal Church consecrates openly gay bishop”, CNN.com, November 3, 2003. Return to text.
2. Read the church proceedings for and against the Rev. Karen Dammann at www.pnwumc.org/Dammann.htm. Return to text.
3. “Has not the Lord made them one? In flesh and spirit they are his. And why one? Because he was seeking godly offspring. So guard yourself in your spirit, and do not break faith with the wife of your youth” (Malachi 2:15). Return to text.