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Showing posts with the label God's law

The Apostle Paul does oppose homosexual lust and expression:

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The only model of sexual expression contemplated in Scripture is that which finds its pattern in the Creation model of Genesis 1–2. This is the pattern taught by our Lord and the apostles (see, for example, Matt. 5:27–32; 19:3–12). It is to occur in heterosexual marriage. If in Romans 1 Paul opposes all forms of sexual expression between people of the same sex, then his judgments are, as Scroggs admits, “eternally valid.”97 Revisionist interpretations would do well to come under the meaning and authority of Scripture. So What? Several reasons seem persuasive that Paul does oppose homosexual lust and expression: 1. Paul writes as a Jewish Christian whose theology and ethics are formed by an Old Testament worldview, not Greek philosophy.98 Yet he speaks to Jewish and gentile readers with terms (the natural use and what is contrary to nature) that Greeks and Romans understood. 2. For Paul, what is “natural” (vv. 26–27) reflects the being or nature of the Creator (vv. 18–23) and His revea...

Question: Why should Christians care if same-sex couples marry? If they are unbelievers, why should Christians dictate their actions? Shouldn't we just worry about preaching the gospel?

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Question: Why should Christians care if same-sex couples marry? If they are unbelievers, why should Christians dictate their actions? Shouldn't we just worry about preaching the gospel? This question is based upon the false premise that Scripture assigns the accountability to marriage to Christians alone rather than to society at large. Christian concern for marriage is deeply concerned with the moral risk taken by unbelievers when they marginalize, reject, subvert, or harm marriage in any way.  Christians believe this risk threatens acting parties with eternal consequences. Furthermore, it is quite selective and arbitrary to say that when it comes to same-sex marriage , Christians should not ask unbelievers to act like unbelievers. Why should that request be limited to same-sex marriage?  Should it be applied to other aspects of the criminal code?  Should Christians not expect non-Christians to live by the same civil laws they live by?  Should Chris...

US Episcopal Primate: Embracing gay ‘marriage’ is ‘who we are’

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The presiding bishop of the U.S. Episcopal Church says that his denomination will not repent of accepting same-sex "marriage." Presiding Bishop Michael Curry , the first African- American to lead U.S. Episcopalians, told leading Anglican archbishops meeting in England that despite recent sanctions imposed by Anglican leadership, the U.S. branch will not reverse its decision to approve of homosexuality. "They heard from me directly that that's not something that we're considering," Curry said. "We made our decision, and this is who we are." The leaders of the worldwide Anglican Communion   suspended   the U.S. Episcopal Church for three years over the issue. The primates of 38 Anglican churches throughout the world voted to bar the U.S. Episcopal Church from representing the denomination on ecumenical and interfaith organizations and from taking part in Anglican decision-making on any issues pertaining to doctrine or polity. In th...