Questions I address in this post: Is marriage a state or church issue? How do I love my gay brother? How do I uphold biblical marriage while loving homosexuals? Should we treat homosexuality differently than other sins? Is John 8 apocryphal? What resources do you recommend for those struggling with sexual sin? Should those struggling with sexual sin take communion?
It seems to me that Marriage is a religious institution given by God for his own purposes. What is the source of your belief that marriage is a "state issue"?
I don’t think I made myself clear. I do believe God created, instituted and blessed marriage, which is why I preside over wedding ceremonies.
However, in our country the government has historically governed who is married and who is not. You have to apply to the state for a marriage license, and you must have your divorces ratified in public courts.
In America, you can legally marry someone even if your church tells you it would be sinful. For instance, your church would tell you not to marry an unbeliever or someone who practices another religion. Yet, you could still marry that person legally. In the same way, your church may tell you that you have no biblical grounds for a divorce, but the courts would still legally grant that divorce.
Therefore, the question of who can or cannot be “lawfully” married is in fact a state issue. Unless the couple is requesting to be married by a minister of the church, it is not a church issue.
2. How do I love my Gay brother?
I encourage you to love the same way you would love your straight brother. Talk to him, text him, eat lunch together and do the things siblings do. Involve him in your life. Fellowship over the things you share in common, your family, home, history etc. Ask him about his life, ask how you can pray for him. Etc.
For the rest of this blog go to: http ://ww w.riv eroak stuls a.com /blog /post /is-m arria ge-a- state -or-r eligi ous-i ssue- and-o ther- quest ions
Older
Top
