ACT Rebellious Uniting Church Minister to marry Homosexuals
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| Uniting Church in Australia (Photo credit: Wikipedia) |
All conservative Christian church leaders remain at the forefront of organised opposition to the legalisation of homosexual marriage. But Mr Munson, a Canberra Uniting Church minister, is a registered celebrant under the ACT's marriage homosexual law and will preside at the wedding of a male couple this weekend. He has organised commitment ceremonies for homosexual couples in the past and said he was happy for gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Munson lacks understanding of Biblical moral law which Jesus spoke very clearly about. When asked a question on divorce Jesus outlined the biblical concept of marriage as ordained by God being between a man and a woman for life. Munson illustrates either his lack of knowledge, poor understanding or biblical moral law or rebellion regarding scriptural teaching when he says: "Jesus never said anything about it [same-sex marriage] and he was one who welcomed all people, regardless of their circumstances''.
Mr Munson, is a former minister at St James church in Curtin, and is now working as a social worker but also acts as a locum minister. Hence he appears to be a loose cannon in the side of the Uniting Church of Australia. His lack of attachment to a church had made celebrating homosexual sinful marriages easier because of the continuing debate about homosexual marriage within the Uniting Church.
Regardless of what he call himself a minister or pastor with regard to Christ and Biblical teaching he would be deemed to be a heretic.
From the perspective of the State, TV, and the Movie culture of Hollywood, Mr Munson states that marriage had evolved and homosexual couples should be able to express their love for each other.
From the perspective of the State, TV, and the Movie culture of Hollywood, Mr Munson states that marriage had evolved and homosexual couples should be able to express their love for each other.
From the perspective of the Bible, Munson's statements would be deemed to be heretical and false. But here is the clanger for Munson. He displays total lack of understanding of Romans 1 prohibition of homosexuality when he says: "I think it comes down to an understanding of the Bible,'' he said. "[It] was written in different times and so they had different understandings of the world around them. We've become more knowledgeable. There's nothing simple about being homosexual or gay. It's just who people are."
It is true, that there are specific cultural instructions, and behaviours outlined in scripture. For example, when Jesus instructed his disciples to take sandals with them when doing community evangelism. Therefore, must we use sandals? Obviously not. We would agree with Munson on this point, that actions needed to be interpreted. Hence the battle in some churches on the role of women as clergy because it engages both cultural expressions and creation law.
However, moral law, justification, definition of sin, salvation, communion, water baptism etc., are not subject to culture to be reinterpreted or dumped.
They form the very early central creeds Christ's church but are an expression of God. From Leviticus we see cultural law, food laws, ceremonial laws, and moral laws. Many were fulfilled in Christ. Many were for Israel alone as a specific nation. The moral law, even the Commandments are not the means of salvation but are an expression of God intent. Jesus adds to these laws and even makes them more difficult to fulfill. Hence the need for faith, but they still act as guidelines for living. Paul explains that some sins from this moral code still apply today as an expression of rebellion and sin against God. Lesbianism first then homosexuality are listed as the worst or greater sins of this rebellion. This is what Munson refuses to accept or even believe. For Munson to maintain his position he must do what Marconian did, rip whole section out of the Bible because he disagrees with it. One of the writers of the US constitution did likewise.
Munson is a liberal and possibly a theological heretic regarding his views on scripture. This means simply he doesn't believe the Bible is God's word and can be interpreted as he so desires or as culture dictates.
Senior Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders have urged the ACT Legislative Assembly to vote against introducing Australia's first same-sex marriage scheme.
