The Christian Left’s War on Marriage, Scripture and Reason
In my line of work I deal daily with those who are totally opposed to all that I value, cherish and believe in. So members of the secular left of course are my regular sparring partners. That is to be expected. But what is really worrying is when folks claiming to be Christians come pushing the same anti-biblical agendas as the secular left does.
That really does my head in – and it grieves me greatly. I get it that someone opposed to God and his standards trots out radical, anti-God, anti-family and anti-faith agenda items. But it is utterly bizarre when leftist Christians end up doing exactly the same thing.
I have interacted with heaps of these folks over the years, and it is clear that I will have to continue to do so as long as I am in this business of proclaiming biblical truth in the public arena. Let me offer just a few recent examples of this, and then round things off by quoting from a terrific new article.
One case that just came my way today involves a friend who used to work at a major evangelical theological college in Australia. It seems many of his colleagues have being going off the deep end theologically speaking. Indeed, I know all about this place – I used to lecture there – so I know it has been going downhill for quite some time now.
In many ways it is now just a hothouse for leftwing activism and ideology. It is no surprise therefore that many of those still there have hopped on board the homosexual marriage bandwagon. My friend shared this guy’s justification for supporting fake marriage.
He claims he is not a theological liberal, but is just being faithful to the Bible! He claimed he gets his inspiration from the “sermons of Wesley” and that he considers himself an “orthodox Christian in the Wesleyan tradition.” Is he serious? He actually is claiming Wesley for his attack on marriage, the Bible and 2000 years of Christian tradition?
This guy went on to speak of “the sacramental quality of the love expressed between same-sex attracted believers”! What! You mean sodomy is now a sacrament? The very thing God has repeatedly called an abomination and a clear sign of being abandoned by God is now a sacrament? Is this guy for real? Clearly his biblical orthodoxy is not real.
Related to all this, on a post of mine elsewhere one fellow commented by quoting Genesis 19:4-5: “Before they had gone to bed, all the men from every part of the city of Sodom—both young and old—surrounded the house. They called to Lot, ‘Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us so that we can have sex with them’.”
Another friend of mine replied to this with his own comment: “The first recorded gay pride rally in history.” Yes, exactly right. God destroyed five cities on the plain for this terrible sin of sodomy, yet today we have clueless and deceived “Christians” telling us it is all peachy, and God is just thrilled with sodomite marriage.
Yikes, I would not want to be in their shoes when they one day stand before their Creator and Judge. Speaking of all this, one of my favourite American writers has recently penned a fantastic piece on all this, and he is worth quoting from at length.
This is part of what Douglas Wilson says in his piece, “Two Dudes on a Wedding Cake”:
The world of homosexual practice is as hostile to the Scriptures as the Scriptures are to them. Everybody with sense knows where everybody stands. The reason for all the exegetical ingenuity is that it is a tactical move, designed to soften Christian opposition to the sexual revolution. The sexual revolutionaries don’t give a rip about the exegesis, but there are many advantages to be found in saying to the new Eve, to the Christian church, something like “did God really say?” They are not so much trying to justify their own rebellion as they are trying to entice low-wattage Christians to join them in that rebellion by means of a slow drift. Being low-wattage, they won’t of course understand what has happened until after sulfurous hailstones start to fall out of the sky. “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Cor. 11:3)….
The sexual consummation of a marriage is private—not because it is something to be ashamed of, but rather because it belongs to the couple alone. But the fact of that sexual relationship is public, which is why people are invited to weddings. And when we look at any given bride and groom in the front of the church, we are looking upon the image of God. Moreover, given the fact that our world has fallen into sin and is in desperate need of redemption, we also see in every wedding the restoration of the image of God in and through Christ and the church.
So to put two men there, or two women, is to deface God’s creational intent and, on top of that, it is to deface His gospel that is in the process of restoring our wreckage of that original creational intent. In short, the glorification of homosexual unions is an attempt to murder God, burn His image in effigy, and overthrow His gospel. It is no trivial thing.
He continues:
The world’s attempt to cover up this reality—hatred of God conveyed through hatred of His image—has been two-fold. On the question of the public image, their response has been unrelenting propaganda—coupled with severe discipline for anyone who challenges the authority of that propaganda. This is where all the court cases for evangelical bakers, florists, and wedding photographers are coming from. They are in the process of outlawing our refusal to glorify that which must never be glorified.
Their second response—and I am sorry to have to bring this up—is to normalize, as far as possible, homosexual practices in heterosexual relationships. They have not been entirely successful in this, but they have been far more successful than I would like.
He concludes:
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet” (Rom. 1:26–27).
We are told in Genesis that male and female together constitute the image of God. We are taught here in Romans that abandonment of the woman by the man is unnatural, and that abandonment of the man by the woman is unnatural. It follows from this that natural sex is theologically rich. In Paul’s sense here, nature is a good theologian. The converse is also true—homosexual sex is theological distortion because it mars the image of God. It should therefore not be surprising that abandonment of the natural use of the woman is a straight road into theological impoverishment—which is what every form of idolatry is.
Wilson gets it 100 per cent right here. But the theological liberals and Christian leftists don’t just get it a little bit wrong here – they get it 100 per cent wrong. They could not be further from the truth. And they could not be further from God when they push for the very thing God condemns, and stand against the very thing God affirms.
Woe to you false teachers and shepherds.
https://dougwils.com/s7-engaging-the-culture/two-dudes-wedding-cake.html
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I think some Christians like these have their hearts in the right place BUT have their minds in the wrong place. What I mean is that, I know of someone who said that if we allow gays to get married then it would stop the suicide rates from being so high. Obviously we as Christians wouldn’t want any gays to kill themselves but like you quoted bill, the suicide rate is still high even in places where homosexual marriage is accepted the most. This is the problem, in my opinion, with most Christians, where I feel that they believe what they’re doing is being a loving Christian but they unfortunately are uninformed about the right way to what Jesus would actually do.
Yes James, some of them may have good intentions, but that is never enough. Often good intentions can lead to terrible, dangerous and unbiblical outcomes. These folks need both head and heart in the right place, which are in agreement with God, not against him.
I have written to several MPs about the ramifications of same-sex marriage, using a few of your arguments Bill, and it is interesting that not one of them who is going to vote yes has replied to me. Interesting that.
I am so pleased my local federal MP is going to vote no whatever the outcome and what Malcolm Turnbull says.
And can I say that we should stop using the word gay in referring to homosexuals because to do so is a lie. In addition, it is not marriage equality we are talking about as marriage equality means anyone can get married.
it is same-sex marriage as homosexuals and lesbians are not interested in anything outside of that.
When I have raised this in discussion on the internet, the other side goes very quiet as their demand for equality has a very narrow focus.
Fantastic words by Wilson…
His books against atheism years ago were great too…
God is – a response to Christopher Hitchens,
Letter from a Christian Citizen, and
The Deluded Atheist
May i make a point that there is no concept in homosexuality of Consumation. I saw a doco the other day that showed two men having a ‘marriage ceremony’ and it just hit me that you would never find any talk in that scene of the desire to wait to consumate the ‘union’ …That of course is because it is already a corrupt practice and is perversity itself. You just don’t ever hear of homosexuals desiring to wait. Consumation is only a reality and possible in heterosexuality as it reflects the union of Christ and the Church – hence the reality that a man and woman who truly love each other can wait and will want to wait for consumation as they believe in marriage’s purity and respect the need for boundaries and are delaying because the relationship is built on more than sexual desire, but reflects a deeper spiritual reality.
Just to confirm that Islam too prohibits homosexuality, here is the story of Lot as told in the Quran chapter 26 verses 159-174:
(159) The people of Lut (Lot) (who dwelt in the town of Sodom in Palestine) belied the Messengers. (160) When their brother Lut (Lot) said to them: “Will you not fear Allâh and obey Him? (161) “Verily! I am a trustworthy Messenger to you. (162) “So fear Allâh, keep your duty to Him, and obey me. (163) “No reward do I ask of you for it (my Message of Islâmic Monotheism), my reward is only from the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists). (164) “Go you in unto the males of the ‘Alamîn (mankind), (165) “And leave those whom Allâh has created for you to be your wives? Nay, you are a trespassing people!” (166) They said: “If you cease not. O Lut (Lot)! Verily, you will be one of those who are driven out!” (167) He said: “I am, indeed, of those who disapprove with severe anger and fury your (this evil) action (of sodomy). (168) “My Lord! Save me and my family from what they do.” (169) So We saved him and his family, all, (170) Except an old woman (his wife) among those who remained behind. (171) Then afterward We destroyed the others. (172) And We rained on them a rain (of torment). And how evil was the rain of those who had been warned. (173) Verily, in this is indeed a sign, yet most of them are not believers. (174) And verily! Your Lord, He is indeed the All-Mighty, the Most Merciful.
So it is without doubt that Islam too condemns homosexuality in the strongest possible terms and any muslim who says otherwise doesn’t know his/her religion.
That’s a really excellent point Jeremy. Of course, the gays would argue that because they can’t marry, they need to consummate without marriage. But I wonder how they would react if gay marriage were to be legalised. Would they then respect the “sanctity” of marriage and wait, or would they continue to behave as the majority of heterosexuals and do “it” anyway, with or without marriage?
The point about marriage is that it is the contract that legalises sexual relations between husband and wife. Unfortunately these days anything goes and the practice of remaining chaste before marriage is seen as being archaic.
In the postal survey we are asked a question about marriage of persons of the same-sex. Rather – As per the draft legislation – pandering to the ..BTQIAs – any new proposed new Marriage Act will read the ‘marriage of two people’.
This raises the question if 2 why not 3? Two does not seem like marriage equality for the poly people. Also why (rather than as is the case now for M-F marriages) can’t a person marry his/her sibling. Or will there be more restrictive rules for M-F marriages. That does not seem to be marriage equality between M-F, M-M and F-F marriages. Vote No.
Thanks Bill. It all boils down to the cringe factor of Christians who are ashamed of the Word of God and want to have a more ‘socially acceptable’ gospel to push. They are finding their identity in the approval of man instead of the approval of God. Somehow they’ve managed to justify this to themselves so that they think that God is going to look at their ‘niceness’ towards homosexuals and see it as ‘love’. The problem is that this way of thinking is so contagious and spreads like a cancer inside the church, taking in people who would perhaps have stood for Biblical marriage but got sucked in. We need to pray for our nation and its churches to have a revelation of truth. “16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers 17and asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.” Eph. 1:16.17
Yes quite right Dee.
Dear Bill,
Super article again. I live only suburbs away from Chatswood, an upmarket North Shore suburb. Another day of no -tolerance against those who support traditional marriage. Warning – Expletives galore.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/ssm-supporters-vile-street-rant-goes-viral/news-story/0a577c9a5e175c2c23b9d4bcecc8ce2f
Best regards
Phil
A little off topic but this: https://stream.org/documenting-tide-bigotry-hatred-australia/ might be of interest to folk here.
It’s a list of events showing the growing opposition to Christianity in Australia. It includes sub-categories for hatred and discrimination associated with the SSM debate, especially events in the last few weeks, vilification associated with the unsafe schools program, government restrictions on freedom of speech and conscience, Nazi style negative portrayals of Christians which have no relation to the facts, physical violence, and government discrimination against and persecution of Christians.
Usually you see the odd news article, or perhaps an article which mentions a handful of other incidents, but this list is disturbing even though it is far from exhaustive! The concluding 2 paragraphs are in some ways even more disturbing though. Despite Christians being persecuted in more than half the nations around the globe, despite a Christian being killed for their faith every 6 minutes, and despite the fact that the LGBTIQ crowd claim to be fighting for love and equality, the fact is they persecute Christians. And as bad as the situation may be in Australia, every country which has established SSM has seen a radical spike in the persecution and marginalization of Christians.
Thanks Andrew. Yes it is a helpful list of the pink warriors and their campaign of thuggery and intimidation.
I was horrified to see a Baptist minister in Tasmania appearing in an ad for the “yes” campaign, declaring his support for SSM. Bill, I share your concern for those who turn their backs on Christian teaching to support what God abhors – especially those who are teaching their congregations this nonsense. They have been warned in the Bible that the judgement they face will be much harsher.
Let’s get something clear-these people are NOT born-again, bible believing Christians. Don’t waste your time. As one of my favourite preachers (David Wilkerson) put it, ‘I don’t shed a tear for the apostate church’ God will deal with them. Once you have gone that far off the path, you may as well call yourself a Buddhist/Muslim …take your pick!
I’m reading the comments here and wishing there was a like option. 🙂
Socialised sexual healthcare funded by taxpayers largely revolves around one issue only — promiscuity — as you don’t get diseases in committed relationships.
Given that virtually all lesbian suicides are due to relationship breakdown[promiscuity committed by one of the partners] and the fact that lesbians have high rates of sexual diseases due again to promiscuity ——– then if people truly cared and loved lesbians they would call for the repeal of socialised sexual healthcare ——- allowing lesbians to then remain faithful to their partners due to the major expense of paying for sexual healthcare services themselves if they continue with their promiscuous behaviour, thus allowing lesbian suicides to subside.
Malcolm Turnball — and likewise John Key in NZ before him — is a very shallow and disturbing individual as ‘gay marriage’ alone will not alleviate lesbians from the issue of suicide or poor health.
God Bless Bill.
Well said Mike
Equally applicable to gay men. If SSM is approved how many young men will enter into this degraded lifestyle with health issues amd spiritual issues. Turnbull is a shallow and shameful populous small “l” leader. Very low moral values demonstrated by his history of knifing his opponents in the back.
Bravo Doug Wilson, a favourite author of mine also.
It won’t do much for the status of women, if schools teach boys that a girl has a sex organ in her face. Safe schools will present sodomy as a “safer option”, as it can’t cause pregnancy. Boys will be encouraged/empowered to demand anal sex from their girlfriends, leading to infertility, green vaginal discharge, and faecal incontinence via recto-vaginal fistula, to name a few.
Dear Bill,
I have voted for the Liberal Party for over 37 years, but especially over the support for SSM by too many in the Liberal Party, I have now lost all respect for the quality and dignity of many of the Liberal members of Parliament.
I now rate Malcolm Turnbull, Senator Brandis, Christopher Pyne, Simon Birmingham, Trent Zimmerman, Dean Smith, Tim Wilson and Senator Marise Payne as appalling. Their support for SSM is in direct opposition to conservative values and in some cases they are telling lies and diminishing the outcomes of SSM,
IMHO Turnbull has filled the Caucus with YES men and YES women who in many cases stand for nothing. A large number are non-performers who will back Turnbull to the bitter end. IMHO PM Turnbull will go down in history as one of our worse Prime Ministers, on par with Rudd and Gillard. HE IS NOT A LEADER and NEITHER IS SHORTEN. Turnbull has been a complete disaster on energy policy. Business will shut. Jobs lost. The fact that 27% of the population is undecided on how they will vote at the next election based at a Recent Poll shows the high level of dissatisfaction that now exists in the Australian Community with the PM and the major parties.
Treasurer Morrison I assess as FAIR only, because of his poor budget, but do I appreciate his support for the NO case.
Tony Abbott, Eric Abetz, Peter Dutton, Craig Kelly and George Christensen (Nationals) are my top rated members.
If SSM is approved and conservative values continue to be trashed I expect the Liberals will be smashed out of Government within 16 months because many of their loyal supporter base have become totally disillusioned. The Government regrettably will likely be replaced by an equally appalling Labor / Green zealot Government that will do even more damage to our economy and our freedoms.
My strategy at present to protect values would be to support Cori Bernardi’s Conservatives and possibly Pauline Hanson and pray they get the numbers in the Senate to stop the expected Mark Dreyfus legislation to further diminish freedom of Speech and freedom of Religion.
I simply do not trust the Liberal Party anymore as a protector of long held Christian conservative values. I have also been a long term CDP supporter. I hope they would get a Senate Seat BUT they have not presented Candidates that are well known and thus do not draw votes, even though they did came close in NSW last election.
I am convinced we are heading into the Last Days where Christians in Australia will see increased persecution in the next (10-15 years). Let’s face it, it has started already. Activists yelling Crucify Christians and Burn churches recently in Melbourne I find deeply disturbing. I also find Brandis silence on this matter equally concerning.
Thanks to Bill, ACL, the Marriage Alliance, the Marriage Coalition, Warwick Marsh, Dr David Van Gend, Cory Bernardi, Tony Abbott, John Howard, Eric Abetz and many others who continue to fight long and hard to protect Marriage. Even if we lose this battle, Jesus Christ will honour you all greatly in Heaven.
I look forward to the 1000 year Millennium rule under Jesus Christ. At 57 years old I’ve had a gutful of unrighteous and foolish politicians, evil and deceitful MSM incl the ABC, George Soros, airhead celebrities who talk crap, GETUP, corrupt Unions, and evil US & Australian multinationals manipulating and censoring public opinion for their own purposes .
God bless Australia.
Phil Browne