What is Christian Marriage?

Following up on last week’s post I would like to share a message that was on the Renewing Your Mind broadcast this morning from R.C. Sproul. It is titled What is Christian Marriage?

From the website:

Before people try to redefine marriage, they need to first be able to define marriage. What is marriage? What is its purpose?

Even if you aren’t a Christian it might be helpful for you to take a quick listen. Sproul is an engaging communicator and It’s less than 30 minutes long. It may help you to better understand the perspective we bring to the marriage issue.

If I find the time I may follow up on this more this week. Enjoy.

What’s a Christian to do About Gay-Marriage?

I’m dusting off the blog because in the hopes that I can be of some small service in shedding light on this current event. Take it for what it’s worth.

So the President has come out and said he supports gay marriage, and in an election year! At the same time North Carolina has voted to legally define marriage as between a man and a woman, thus excluding same-sex couples from the equation. What do we do with this news?

Now, I realize I speak to two audiences here, and I hope that this can be helpful to both. First, to the Christian who doesn’t know how to respond to the issue of homosexual marriage, I hope that this will give you some clarity on that. Second, to those that don’t accept the Bible’s authority to say what is right and what is wrong. To you I hope this will help you to at least understand where (most) Christians are coming from and why we just can’t seem to agree on some things!

There are two issues at work here.

1. The Christian’s view of homosexuality
2. The Christian’s responsibility in politics.

1. What Do We Do With All These Gay People?

Let’s make a few things clear. Sin is sin because God says it is, not because it doesn’t hurt anyone else. That is the difference between Christian morality and secular morality. Christian morality makes the arbiter of right and wrong the transcendent God as revealed in the Bible. Secular morality (and this too may come in Christian packaging at times) makes man the authority of right and wrong. The secularist will nod in approval to the golden rule. Of course, how can a society function unless laws enforce the doing unto others as they would do unto you? (I don’t want to have my stuff stolen, so the law should punish me if I steal other people’s stuff. Makes sense!) However, secular society has no category for when a Christian comes in and says, “actually what you do at home in your bedroom is wrong.” From the secular standpoint they conclude, “Mind your own business, you weirdo!” Thus we come to an impasse and all conversation ceases to be fruitful until we acknowledge these presuppositions.

Now most Christians (I would hope) would agree that homosexual acts are a sin (See 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Romans 1:24-32). You have to do some serious self-deception to make the Bible “unclear on these things”. Homosexuality is an abomination against God because it defies His natural order and His clear commands in Scripture.

Great, Another Hater

Does this mean I hate gay people? Nope. And by the way, calling everyone that disagrees with you a hater, is pretty rude. Stop it. I don’t hate liars or adulterers either. If I hated people that sin I’d hate all of mankind and myself. I’d keep my lips zipped about God’s righteous judgement on sin and the glorious provision of Jesus Christ as the only answer! If I didn’t care I wouldn’t say a word, and everyone would like me!

Now let’s make a quick distinction:

There is a difference between feelings of homosexual attraction, which is a symptom of a sin-sick world (akin to how some people have a predisposition to drink to excess), and the indulging in those feelings to the point of homosexual lust or homosexual relations. Let’s think in terms of Jesus’ teaching on adultery here (Matt. 5). Let me be clear, I don’t think anyone chooses to have weird feelings (temptations), but they do (like the whole world!) choose to indulge in sin.

Certainly, there is an extra element at work in the issue of homosexuality that I would be remiss to ignore. Paul seems to indicate that it’s homosexuality and societal approval of it and other sins is a symptom of God removing His restraining hand in judgement (Rom. 1:27,32). But on a basic, how-do-I-respond-as-a-Christian level, homosexuality is a sin that damns, like lying damns, like stealing damns, like how ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD damns us all (Rom. 3:23). So we must be careful not to get all high and mighty and say, “look at those unbelievers sinning!” Playas gonna play and sinners gonna sin. Our job is to show them that IT IS sin and that they, like us, and the whole world, need to repent and turn to Jesus Christ as Lord to save them from God’s righteous judgement (that’s why it’s called the Good News). Sinners saved by grace show grace to sinners.

2. What about Gay-Marriage?

Obviously the issue is compounded when you throw in a political element. If you agree that homosexuality is a sin in God’s eyes then the redefinition of marriage to include gay couples is rightly disturbing to you. Furthermore, as messed up as it is in America, the family really is the backbone of civilization. And YES marriage that God recognizes is between a feller and a lady (Gen. 2:20-25), so when a group of a people or a president of a nation, say “HEY, let’s change this thing”, that’s a big deal!

So how do we respond? What is the Christian’s responsibility politically? Let me make it simple (Look up these verses):

Pay your taxes (Luke 20:25), obey the government (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-15), and pray for your leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Now of course, if the law forces us to act in opposition to God’s commands we must be like Peter and obey God rather than men (Acts 4:19-20). So if at some point the government tries to force our churches to marry people of the same sex, we will politely say, “no, we have to obey God on this one, jail us if you want.” That’s it. Really, I would be happy to see a cogent Biblical argument for a Christian’s responsibility politically, because I just can’t find it. We are ambassadors for Christ and citizens of His Kingdom, all societal transformation that results from us is a byproduct of exemplary righteous living and the conversion of other lost people, not political activism, else our archeologists would have uncovered “Peter for Proconsul!” buttons by now.

Conclusion

Christian, you are rightly saddened by this symptom of sin further decaying our society, so respond in this way: pray, vote if you want, call people to repentance for sin, but outlawing sin doesn’t actually solve the problem, the gospel does. Yep, this extends to other political issues too.

And the gospel is this: Everyone who has lived has sinned and is therefore condemned before God. At the end of time all people will stand before Him and be judged by the righteous standard of His law, and everyone who has not forsaken their attempts at making themselves righteous and clung completely to Jesus Christ as the sacrifice and savior for sin, and the Lord of their lives, will face an eternity in hell.

You can say, “well I don’t believe in God or sin or any of that,” but it is true, and we’re all going to face him, and I think deep down you already know it. So quit lying to yourself. Forsake your sin, turn from your rebellion against God and believe on the King, Jesus who died and received God’s wrath, so that you don’t have to. Grab a Bible and start reading the book of John, see if this man Jesus does not compel you.

And Christian, just remember; Nations come and nations go. God is sovereign over all. He’s got this (Psalm 103:19, Daniel 2:21).

Comments are open.
Keep it civil, or I’ll delete it. I’m gonna try to interact with you if I have time, but no promises. Thanks!

Receiving a Gentle Sharp Rebuke

Well I’m on vacation in Florida, but I wanted to take a moment to write a quick blog post. The topic is receiving criticism.

Phil Johnson posted a timely blog post today over at the Pyromaniacs blog on 2 Timothy 4:2. He writes in regard to the oft shirked duty of pastors to rebuke, reprove and exhort. Please go have yourself a read.

in these postmodern times, it is commonly thought that “gentleness” excludes every kind of rebuke or correction—especially the sharp rebuke. But it’s clear that Paul saw no necessary contradiction between gentleness and firm rebuke. That has to be our perspective as well, or we will never be up to the simple yet far-reaching task Paul lays on our shoulders here.

As I’ve grown in my faith, I have found that one of the things I am most grateful for are rebukes, both from trusted brothers and from total strangers. Make no mistake, I certainly appreciate encouraging words. Many times the Lord sends them just when I feel I can’t go any further. But with my goal being holiness, no amount of positive affirmation has the ability to shake me out of the stupor of deceiving sin. For this I need to be rebuked.

You're right, I can't handle the truth!

Since starting this blog I have received, along with many notes of encouragement (thank you!), some small amount of criticism (thank you, too!). To my shame I admit that too often my first reaction is to bristle at these more critical messages. However, to the credit of Christ in me and the sanctifying work of His Spirit, I have been given to taking a second look and to considering each scrutiny and rebuke (even the rude drive-by anonymous commentator. You know who you are!). You could ask my wife, and she would tell you that I obsess over these remarks. I really do try to honestly evaluate myself in light of them—even when they come from such quarters as the Tone Police. Sometimes I conclude that the criticism is unfounded. Sometimes I am forced to humbly accept it, repent and trust Christ to help me make the necessary heart changes. But why take the time to do this? Because, though I frequently fail and succumb to the flesh in regards to receiving correction, my desire is to be more concerned about living righteous than being right.

Phil Johnson’s post struck home with me because, though he was focussing on giving rebuke, I want to be rebuked. You should, too.

If holiness is our goal then, though it will hurt, we must be willing to accept correction, even sharp correction. All for His glory.

So, I guess bring it on… but do please be gentle.

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6

Teleos Notes – Romans 1:1

I recently took a position at my church as interim director of college ministry, and have begun by teaching a study through the book of Romans. I have been posting the cliff notes from each week over at the Teleos College Blog and thought they might serve to fill the massive void of this, my personal blog.

Hope that you will find them helpful.

——————

Notes from 1/17 – Romans 1:1

A week and a day late, but I suppose that’s better than never. Here’s some notes from last week.

Some Changes and a Brief Bio

Kim and myself (Reagan) will be leading Teleos until summer. We just got married in September and we love the Lord and college students! Technically Kim is a college student so I guess that means I love college students even more.

We would love to meet up with all of you individually throughout the semester, maybe to grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee. And if you ever just want to talk, let us know!

Romans 1:1

We talked about how Romans has a long history of changing hearts. From Augustine, to Martin Luther, to John Wesley, God used the powerful inspired words of Paul to turn sinners to Him.

Romans answers all of the big questions that we ask. Here are just a few that MacArthur notes:

What is the good news of God? Is Jesus really God? What proves He is God? Why did He come? What is a saint? What is God like? How can God send people to hell? What will happen to people who have never heard the gospel? Why do men reject God and Christ? Why are there false religions and idols? What is man’s biggest sin? Why is there sex perversion, hate, crime and those other things and why are they so rampant? What is the standard by which God condemns people? How can a person who has never heard be held responsible?

The Danger of Bad Theology

I came across a very sad article on the American Atheists website (incidentally, it’s full of sad articles) about a former Word-Faith Charismatic preacher who became disillusioned and eventually completely rejected Christianity and God. I found it interesting, however, because it gives an inside look into how someone can trick themselves into believing all sorts of things are happening when they really aren’t. It also exposes the danger of abusing God’s Word; holding God to promises that He has not made to you. When you eisegete passages, assuming every word applies directly to you—as long as it’s not negative of course—it’s only a matter of time before you come up against a wall.

He recounts some of his experiences,

I heard God audibly and I became so bold that I would throw people out of wheel chairs. I would lay people down who had back injuries flat on their stomachs and run on their backs believing that I was carried along by the wind of God (Mal 4:2 The Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings). For this was the demonstration of the Holy Ghost and power (1Cor 2:4)! And my language and message were not set forth in persuasive, enticing and plausible words of wisdom, but they were in demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power, proof by the Spirit and power of God that was operating in me and stirring the most holy emotions in the minds of my listeners and thus persuading them.

Notes from the Tilt-A-Whirl

Update: Well it appears this actually came out in 2009. So I guess I’m late to the party as usual, but I still think it’s worth checking out.

Happy Wednesday! I’ve got something special for you today.

One of my favorite things to do when I want to relax is to watch videos on vimeo. There are so many great videos there. Many are wrought with deep meaning. The best border on the sublime. It’s like Youtube without the cats.

Actually, I went to film school, and though my interest in making films has faded a bit, I still have a lot of affinity for the medium, especially when it’s not wasted on making shallow garbage.

So I was poking around on Vimeo yesterday and came across this trailer for this “Bookumentry” (I know, right?). If you are into art and philosophy I think you will dig it.

How intriguing! Here’s a bit about it from their website…

Update: Jesus vs. Religion Guy is a Class Act

This gave me the warm fuzzies.

Jefferson Bethke the guy who made the Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus video responded to Kevin DeYoung’s critique. He proved himself to be a humble man of character with a very teachable spirit. We need more men like him among this rising generation of Christian leaders. Respect.

Here’s part of their email conversation,

I just wanted to say I really appreciate your article man. It hit me hard. I’ll even be honest and say I agree 100%. God has been working with me in the last 6 months on loving Jesus AND loving his church. For the first few years of walking with Jesus (started in ’08) I had a warped/poor paradigm of the church and it didn’t build up, unify, or glorify His wife (the Bride). If I can be brutally honest I didn’t think this video would get much over a couple thousand views maybe, and because of that, my points/theology wasn’t as air-tight as I would’ve liked. If I redid the video tomorrow, I’d keep the overall message, but would articulate, elaborate, and expand on the parts where my words and delivery were chosen poorly… My prayer is my generation would represent Christ faithfully and not swing to the other spectrum….thankful for your words and more importantly thankful for your tone and fatherly like grace on me as my elder. Humbled. Blessed. Thankful for painful growth. Blessings.

Grace and Peace,

Jeff

This my friends is what we call Christian brotherhood.

“Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Which is Better Jesus or Religion? (Hint: It’s a trick question)

Jefferson Bethke

Update: Bethke has since responded to Kevin DeYoung’s critique.

This week my Facebook newsfeed was booked solid with this guy’s face. It’s a 4 minute spoken-word poem by a fella named Jefferson Bethke titled “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus”. After about the zillionth repost of this thing I finally watched it. I’m sure you’ve probably seen it by now, but if not you should go take a look before reading on. It’s gone viral—at the time of my writing YouTube had it listed at just shy of 7 million plays.

I really dig Jefferson’s passion, his strong affirmation of the gospel, and his rejection of self-righteousness. BAM, nailed it! There is so much to be praised in this poem, and I do praise it, but I did feel a little irked by a couple things in the video. It took some time to sort through exactly why I felt that way…

Is Faith Rational?

I’ve said before that I believe a misunderstanding of faith is behind much confusion concerning Christianity, both from those who don’t know Christ and those on the inside. Here are two articles I saw this week that deal with the topic of faith vs. reason.

The first is from Stand to Reason:

First, we don’t know about Christianity by faith.  Everyone knows about the claims of Christianity and the Bible in the same ways other things are known.  Faith isn’t a way of knowing. It’s trusting in what we have come to know to be true.  Faith is laying hold personally of what is true in the Bible.  Knowledge is the first step and it’s no different than coming to know about anything else.  So it can be discussed between those who have faith and those who don’t because they’re both operating in the same way to evaluate truth claims.  Faith comes after knowing.

Read more: Faith isn’t Knowing

The second is from Pyromaniacs:

even among Christians who are not anti-intellectual jellyfish, I’ve met some who very reverently think that some of our beliefs simply are not rational. They’re mysterious, they have to be held by faith, not reason.

To this I’d just begin by noting that the opposite of faith is not reason; it is sight (cf. 2 Corinthians 5:7).

But are some of our faith-tenets irrational? Two that I hear cited specifically are the Trinity, and the Virgin Birth.

Read More: Is Christianity Rational?

I’m Not Dead

Just wanted to check-in and tell you that yes, I am still alive. These last few weeks have been busy, but fear not, there will be new content coming this week and much more in the future as I am planning out a schedule to blog with more frequency.

So stay tuned! If you aren’t subscribed, I recommend that you do so without delay.

Meanwhile, here’s a Spurgeon quote that I saw over at Challies this morning about the issue of God’s sovereignty and our responsibility:

“That God predestines, and yet that man is responsible, are two facts that few can see clearly. They are believed to be inconsistent and contradictory, but they are not. The fault is in our weak judgment. Two truths cannot be contradictory to each other. If, then, I find taught in one part of the Bible that everything is fore-ordained, that is true; and I find that in another Scripture, that man is responsible for all his actions, that is true; and it is only my folly that leads me to imagine that these two truths can ever contradict each other. I do not believe they can ever be welded into one upon any earthly anvil, but they certainly shall be one in eternity. They are two lines that so nearly parallel, that the human mind which pursues them farthest will never discover that they converge, but they do converge, and they will meet somewhere in eternity, close to the throne of God, whence all truth doth spring.”