I have felt persuaded to make a few comments about this issue. I do it reluctantly because it is very emotive. I said in my first blog that I would like to interact with issues facing the Christian community today (role of pastors, teaching the Bible, etc.) along with this site being primarily Bible/devotional studies. This summer the American Supreme Court is going to make a ruling on the nature of marriage and, as I understand, whether a 'same sex marriage' constitutes an accepted form of marriage. Their decision, either way, will have very profound effects.
Many Christians are accused of 'homophobia', prejudice, and the denial of civil rights when it comes to the Gay issue. I don't think that these are true at all. I think the issue for Christians is the authority and design of our creator. In a recent Bible study I attend the question was asked if homosexuality was wrong. One answer was, 'Yes it is because it is not natural.' The problem with this answer is that today 'natural' means whatever anyone wants it to mean. Many Gay people would dismiss this criticism saying what is 'natural' to you may not be natural to me. It is all relative. This is, in my opinion, false. What is natural is not relative. What is natural and right is defined by the one who created us and I believe that this is the scriptural view.
Some churches have condoned homosexual relationships by saying that what matters is that it is a loving relationship implying that this is what makes it ok even with God. The issue, however, is not 'loving relationships', but rather the authority and design of God. As our creator he has the right to determine what is right and natural, The homosexual issue denies this right and even rebels against this authority. That is why it is a serious issue for Christians. Scripture is clear that God's marriage design is about a man and a women. There is, in scripture, no other view. The troublesome issue with homosexuality is that it goes against God's authority to determine what is 'natural' and in fact, defies his creative authority. I believe this is another indication of human rebellion against God which is at the heart of the ills of this world.
Genesis One speaks of humans being made in God's image in v.27. That image involves many dimensions ( spiritual, intellectual, relational, etc.). What should be noted is that one aspect of this image is the ability to create or bring forth life. Obviously not in the exact same way as God, but nevertheless as God is a creator of life, so too a man and a woman can follow in his footsteps as being life creators. This is part of that image of God we bear. Same sex marriage actually makes less of that significant image. No life can really be produced and to condone same sex marriage is to take away some of the importance and wonder of that image. To accept and promote the Gay issue/same sex marriage is, sadly, to promote something that undermines the significance of human beings as being image bearers of God. It also effects the very reason and glory of life and of creation, which is to reflect in all things (even in marriage) the authority, power, the goodness, and the mercy and love of our creator.
Saturday, April 18, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
'Let Us' in the Book of Hebrews
The Book of Hebrews contains many exhortations to 'not drift away' (2.1). The letter is to Hebrew Christians (perhaps in Rome) who are being tempted to give up their new found Christian faith. Their Jewish neighbors, co-workers, and certainly family members cannot believe that these new Christians would give up their Jewish heritage with all the privileges of the temple, sacrifices, and priesthood in Jerusalem for what they considered to be the worship of a false Messiah (Jesus). These Christians are being persecuted and hounded by their fellow Jews to turn away from Christianity and return to their Jewish heritage. This is why the writer states in 3.12 'See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But ENCOURAGE one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness'. The writer uses a "let us' formula (either in the original Greek or implied) to encourage these Hebrew Christians not to drift away.
6.1 'Let us...go on to maturity' (perfection).
10.22 'Let us draw near to God with a sincere hear in full assurance of faith'.
10.23 'Let us hold fast to the hope we profess, for he (God) who promised is faithful.'
10.24 'Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds'.
10.25 'Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another'.
12.7 (Let us) 'endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you (us) as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?'.
12.14 (Let us) 'make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy'.
13.1 (Let us) ' keep on loving each other as brothers'.
13.4 (Let) marriage...be honoured by all'.
13.5 (Let us) keep (our lives) free from the love of money'.
13.7 (Let us) 'remember (our) leaders...and imitate their faith'.
13.9 (Let us) 'not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings'.
13.12 (Let us) 'not forget to entertain (show hospitality) to strangers'.
13.17 (Let us) 'obey (our) leaders and submit to their authority'.
All fresh 'let us' from God's bountiful garden in Hebrews!
The Book of Hebrews contains many exhortations to 'not drift away' (2.1). The letter is to Hebrew Christians (perhaps in Rome) who are being tempted to give up their new found Christian faith. Their Jewish neighbors, co-workers, and certainly family members cannot believe that these new Christians would give up their Jewish heritage with all the privileges of the temple, sacrifices, and priesthood in Jerusalem for what they considered to be the worship of a false Messiah (Jesus). These Christians are being persecuted and hounded by their fellow Jews to turn away from Christianity and return to their Jewish heritage. This is why the writer states in 3.12 'See to it brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But ENCOURAGE one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness'. The writer uses a "let us' formula (either in the original Greek or implied) to encourage these Hebrew Christians not to drift away.
6.1 'Let us...go on to maturity' (perfection).
10.22 'Let us draw near to God with a sincere hear in full assurance of faith'.
10.23 'Let us hold fast to the hope we profess, for he (God) who promised is faithful.'
10.24 'Let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds'.
10.25 'Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another'.
12.7 (Let us) 'endure hardship as discipline. God is treating you (us) as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?'.
12.14 (Let us) 'make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy'.
13.1 (Let us) ' keep on loving each other as brothers'.
13.4 (Let) marriage...be honoured by all'.
13.5 (Let us) keep (our lives) free from the love of money'.
13.7 (Let us) 'remember (our) leaders...and imitate their faith'.
13.9 (Let us) 'not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings'.
13.12 (Let us) 'not forget to entertain (show hospitality) to strangers'.
13.17 (Let us) 'obey (our) leaders and submit to their authority'.
All fresh 'let us' from God's bountiful garden in Hebrews!
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