The Niles Daily Star recently published three articles with a thread of similarity through all.

First, on July 1, a large portion of the front page, including the headline and a large color photo, was devoted to the article a “Right to marry,” describing a gay couple’s relationship and their upcoming wedding.

Following that were two articles on July 17 and July 20 concerning a local gay pastor who was terminated as a minister and his subsequent wedding to another male. Again the Niles Daily Star provided pictures, headlines and pages of details.

These articles followed the recent U.S. Supreme Court’s split decision to legalize marriage between two persons of the same sex.

You surely are aware that this topic is a matter of controversy in our general population, as well as among the members of the Supreme Court. It certainly wasn’t a unanimous decision, passing by only a 5 to 4 vote of the justices.

To determine the permissibility of homosexuality in the context of same sex marriage is not only a matter to be determined by the courts, but also by the supreme authority, the word of God.

Following are several truths concerning homosexuality found in both Old and New Testament scriptures:

• Leviticus 18:22 — Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.

• Leviticus 20:13 — If a man lies with a man as one lies with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable.

• Romans 1:26 & 27 — God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men and receive in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.

• 1 Corinthians 6:9 & 10 — the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God. Neither will… homosexual offenders … inherit the kingdom of God.

Another scripture which is commonly used in heterosexual marriage ceremonies is found in Genesis 2:24 and again in Ephesians 5:31 stating, “a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife and the two will become one flesh.” Here marriage is determined to be between a man and his wife (woman).

These scriptures make it clear that the gay/lesbian lifestyle is against God’s will. This is not merely an opinion, but the very word of God found in the Bible. The church gave the pastor a choice: to resign or live according to God’s word as stated in its Book of Discipline.

It is important to note that scripture is not negotiable or subject to public opinion as some might think. It can’t be added to or deleted from. It is the standard which Christians strive to live by and uphold.

Plainly, there are two sides when considering the homosexual lifestyle and same sex marriage. It seems appropriate that you should have objectively presented both sides and not have left the impression that the homosexual lifestyle and same sex marriage are to be simply accepted because of a Supreme Court decision.

Note: Scripture references are quoted from the New International Version of the Holy Bible.

 

Mike Holtgren

Niles