How Should Christians React To The Supreme Court Ruling On Marriage

Today, by a vote of five to four the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that same-sex couples may now marry in all 50 states, striking down the bans of states who have attempted do so. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Jim Obergefell in Obergefell v. Hodges, a conglomerate of cases suing for the recognition of same-sex marriage.

There is no other issue that more clearly defines our cultural crisis as does the issue of homosexuality. This is also an incredibly difficult topic to discuss because it is emotionally charged for people on both sides of the debate. If you are alive and breathing, most likely you have a very strong opinion on this subject. So the question I would like to answer in this post, is the following: How should the church approach homosexuality?

When I lived in Washington state, I worked in the financial industry, in an area of Seattle called Capitol Hill. Eighty percent of the people who I worked with for a short time while there, were either gay or lesbian.

Even as I write this, I do have gay friends and acquaintances. I believe that I don’t have to agree with you, to be friends with you.

I want to mention this at the onset of this post because it’s not like I am writing about these issues, ensconced in an ivory tower, oblivious to the reality of life. This is coming from a place of deep conviction for me, but also from a place of love and concern for the global church, that I love and have committed to serve, because of Jesus and to the glory of Jesus.

As a pastor, I can’t think of a better place to start answering this question than the Bible, which is the literal Word that God has prepared for people.

What is sin?

Sin is defined as going against the law of God (1 Jn. 3:4; Deut. 9:7; Joshua 1:18). Doing something contrary to what God’s law requires or says. Sin is an attempt to fill a legitimate need, using a non-legitimate method. Sin is any activity that harms the relationship with God and with other people.

We were created and designed by God to act and respond to Him in a certain way, that is best for us. Sin breaches that connection, rejects the counsel of God, and ultimately rejects God Himself. But a life freed from the control of sin does not guarantee a life free from sin. There will still be a struggle with this – and this is one of the primary indicators that you are an authentic follower of Jesus.

Is homosexuality a sin?

The Bible defines homosexuality as a sin, in a long line of sins (Gen. 19:1-3;Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:26-27; 1 Cor. 6:9-11). It is a desire to fill a legitimate need, in a non-legitimate way. The Bible is clear about God desiring for a sexual relationship to stay between one man and one woman.

Why didn’t Jesus talk about homosexuality? 

Some people say that while Paul did mention homosexuality, Jesus did not. SoPaul is accused of being a legalist while Jesus is positioned as someone having a loving nature, specifically towards this type of lifestyle. Here is why this is an invalid argument:

• Jesus spent the majority of His ministry in Jewish lands, surrounded by Jews who were very familiar with the Old Testament Law.
• Jesus generally dealt with sin on a case by case basis (woman caught in adultery; the Pharisees’ hypocrisy, just to name a couple of instances).
• Paul worked with the gentiles, specifically Romans, in a culture where homosexuality was frequently practiced.
• Paul’s audience had no familiarity with the Old Testament or its practices.
• Paul needed to go out of his way to explain certain cultural issues, some of which were idolatry, adultery and alcohol abuse.

In addition, just because Jesus did not condemn homosexuality specifically, it does not mean He approved of it. Jesus did not specifically mention a lot of things that we know to be wrong, like bestiality or torture, but that does not mean He approved of those things.

What Jesus does is quote from Genesis to proclaim God’s design for marriage as the basis for His own teaching on divorce (Mark 10:6-8):

But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh.

For two men to become one flesh would be a violation of God’s created order and intent. God created man and woman to be permanently united in marriage, not two men or two women.

Does the Bible forbid homosexual activity?

The Bible is pretty consistent in forbidding homosexual behavior. So, if God’s will is expressed in the Bible, it then follows that homosexual behavior is against God’s will.

Five streams of churches and their approach to homosexuality:

1. Theologically Liberal. These churches have capitulated to the demands of the homosexual movement and now accept homosexuality as a fully validated lifestyle. These types of churches usually do not believe that the Bible is the full Word of God, or do not read it literally, citing historical context for many Biblical commands.

2. Theologically Unstable. These churches have not yet capitulated to the movement, but are on the brink of doing so. If not infused with pastors and leaders who hold to an orthodox view of the Bible, they will potentially begin to bless what the Bible condemns.

3. Theologically Neutral. These churches do not accept or agree that this is a legitimate lifestyle, but they do not have a desire to make this publicly known. Their position is that of a safe neutrality. Seldom if ever, this issue is talked about from the pulpit.

4. Theologically Conservative. These churches hold to the traditional and historical Biblical view about homosexuality. Much like what was described in the beginning of this post. However, these churches are still attempting to find a way to approach this with truth and love, instead of only truth and a love that is non-receptive by the people espousing this lifestyle.

5. Theologically Relevant. These churches affirm that homosexuality is a sin, but it is no more a sin than any other sin. They not only affirm that this sin is forgivable and conquerable through the power of Christ, but they have also found ways in which they can compassionately and courageously approach this subject – and bring people in – instead of pushing them out.

How should the church approach homosexuality?

Here are eleven practical suggestions on how the church can speak on this subject in love and with truth:

1. The church should approach homosexuality in the same manner we would speak of every other sin.
2. We need to speak the truth in love, as we would on any other sin plaguing the church today.
3. The church should speak the Biblical truth about the topic, in a loving way, providing a safe place for doubt and dialogue.
4. The church will sin if it calls homosexuality something other than sin. The church will also sin if they say this sin is not forgivable by Jesus.
5. The church must teach that the gospel of Jesus Christ is powerful enough to not just be an addition to your life, but that it is the total transformation to your life. This includes a gradual decrease in loving sinful desire and a gradual increase in loving what God loves.
6. The church is not a place where sinners are welcomed to remain in their sin. The church is a place where sinners are welcomed to repent of their sin.
7. The church must teach the basics of Biblical morality to those who come to church, so that they will be ready to give an adequate answer to anyone who asks.
8. The church must teach young people on how to lovingly engage in dialogue with people who espouse this lifestyle – encouraging dialogue, instead of debate.
9. The church must teach what it means to be a man or a woman, based on how the Bible defines it.
10. The church must talk about God’s gift of sex and the sacred covenant of marriage.
11. The church must not just explain the “what,” but also adequately and relevantly explain the “why,” and the “how.”

Every church is almost guaranteed to include people struggling with same-sex attraction. What the world is waiting to see from the church, is what we will have to offer after affirming that homosexuality is a sin. After this, then what?

The church can’t change its message to meet the modern standards of a demand for a different message. At the same time, the church needs to approach this subject in a way in which it invites people to dialogue, instead of shutting people out because of argumentative debate.

Authentic compassion is demonstrated when people are told about the truth of their condition with love.

We need to infuse our courage of telling the truth with a compassionate way of telling that truth. We need to make sure our compassion is full of courage.

At the end of the day, the gospel of Jesus is for sinners – for homosexual sinners as much as it is for heterosexual sinners.

At the most basic level, when someone looks at an individual who professes to be a Christian, all they want to see is Jesus.

The world is waiting for the church to practice what it preaches, with courage and compassion.

Question: What else would you add to the discussion? What other ways can the church approach this subject?