Tag: Same-sex marriage
Where we are – Implications of The ‘Gay’ marriage debate
If anyone thinks the ‘Gay-Marriage’ debate is ‘merely’ about the sin of homosexuality then they haven’t been thinking. Few issues cross over into so many critical areas for the Christian Church today. Not necessarily in order of importance, but here’s a few to think about:
The Person & Work of Christ
The Authority of The Bible (Scriptures)
The Doctrine of Sin
The Judgement of God
Freedom of Religion
Freedom of Speech
The Doctrine of Marriage
The Creative Order
The Creation / Doctrine of Man
The Creation / Doctrine of Women
The Doctrine of The Trinity
The Doctrine of The Church
The Doctrine of Salvation
Objective Truth claims
Worldview thinking
Preaching the Gospel
James White lays this out with a very sad and depressing yet realistic appraisal of where we are at in The West. Christians need to have their faith firmly rooted and grounded in their Lord and The Scriptures and not in their favourite celebrity Pastor or Author.
View or download Audio of The Dividing Line. Relevant to this subject is in the first 15 minutes or so.
It’s important to keep the ‘protest’ going otherwise one day we’ll wake up and be forced to bow down to the ‘Gay’ ideology. Let’s pray it doesn’t come to that.
Bakery sued for refusing to make a gay marriage cake
Here’s the latest in Homosexual silliness. To be fair there’s no indication on the Ashers Bakery website to show they are a business that operates on Christian principles. (Does this mean Christian businesses in the catering and hotel industry – probably other sectors too – need to be more explicit about their commitment to Biblical values?) So I’m assuming the ‘couple’ concerned didn’t know they were asking Christians to bake their ‘wedding’ cake. However, I suspect they knew it was a Christian business.
But let’s assume they didn’t know. Upon hearing the devastating news that Ashers would be unable to bake the cake, what was the reaction. Naturally it was to go blubbing to the Equality Commission. ‘They (the wicked evil Christians), sob, have refused, wahhh sob, to bake our cake, blubber sob’. Of course they knew the ‘rights’ of Homosexuals trump all other rights. They had the right to take their business elsewhere – perfectly fine. They have the right to boycott Ashers. They have the right to tell their friends not to buy cakes from there. They actually could have had a cake made and had the offending words put on some other way – but noooo.
Quite where this leaves the moral or ethical right of people who don’t agree with the homosexual lifestyle is not entirely clear. To be sued for refusing to bake a cake must for any sane person be the height of silliness. What this is, this is nothing less than the imposition of a minority ideology upon the Nation. It’s not enough for their ideology to be accepted. I read the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland has given Ashers a week to “remedy your illegal behaviour”. It must go further than mere acceptance. Now it has to be endorsed, approved and promoted. That isn’t free-speech. That is propaganda. That being so it kicks into touch any rational thinking – after rejecting the Bible why would any homosexual couple want to get married in a Church of all places. Aside from the clear prohibitions found in the Bible there is also a clear creation mandate and design placed upon humanity. The male female partnership is endorsed by Jesus as is the design for procreative activity found in marriage.
After quite a while being quite mystified about how we have arrived at this situation I concluded some time ago that we as a Nation, and especially ideologically driven homosexuals are under and are experiencing the wrath God. I’ve written about this before, but put out of your mind the idea of a bolt of lightning striking people dead (though it could happen). Rather, realise the wrath of God means handing people over to do the very thing that ought not to be done and yet is being done. Rebellion against God, plain and simple, is what it is.
Homosexuality and associated behaviours (LGBT) is sinful. I’ll go further, these lifestyles are against the created order. It isn’t natural, it’s un-natural. Why? Because the Bible says so (see Romans 1: 24-27). Some of us actually still believe what it says and that it is the very Word of God.
What is the answer to homosexuality? The answer is just the same whether to the Homosexual sinner or the upright moral self-righteous person. Repent and believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15). So before any us get on our high horse let’s remember before God we are all deserving of the righteous judgement of God ‘for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God’ (Romans 3:23). ‘There is none righteous, no not one’ (Romans 3:10).
NEWS STORY BELOW FROM Christian Concern. More from the Christian Institute: Here.
Bakery sued for refusing to make a gay marriage cake
A family-run bakery in Northern Ireland has been threatened with legal action for refusing to decorate a gay marriage campaign cake.
Ashers Baking Company Limited in Belfast was asked to print the words “Support Gay Marriage” on one of their cakes. But the owners, Colin and Karen McArthur, felt that doing so would go against their sincerely-held religious beliefs.
They contacted the customer, a volunteer activist for QueerSpace, to offer a full refund and explain that they could not, in good conscience, complete the order. The following month, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland contacted the bakery and said they’ll be sued unless they change their stance.
Related articles
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby Speaks
I don’t want to keep going on about this – really I don’t. But it’s exactly as I said right from the word go – Justin Welby is just like the rest. The BBC News Website quotes him as saying;
‘Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said on Friday night the Church of England would now drop its opposition to same-sex marriage, as Parliament had spoken.
“The law’s changed; we accept the situation,” he told the BBC.’
No Justin we don’t accept the situation. ‘Parliament had spoken’ Justin said. But hadn’t God already spoken. The Word of God for the Archbishop is clearly of no consequence. As I’ve said many times this isn’t about ‘having a go at Gays’ or intolerance, the issues are much bigger than that. The Archbishop has put the Word of God to one side and replaced it with the word of men. That is the issue. Do we accept the word of men, or the Word of God?
Here’s how crazy the logic is. In the same BBC piece a CofE Vicar said;
‘Mr Cain, who plans to marry his partner in the summer, said he would do so whether the Church (and the Bible) approved or not (the Bible doesn’t).
“It is more important to do what is right than to be frightened into not doing what I believe to be true.’
But Mr Cain, I believe it’s false. So where does that leave us. Clearly we need a more sure word, an objective Truth. I wonder where we could find such a thing? Surprise surprise! In the Bible Mr Cain. Why is Mr Cain a minister when he doesn’t believe any of it.
Just because Archbishop Welby and his politically correct Godless mates accept it – some of us don’t. Just because Same-sex marriage is now legal, that doesn’t make it right. To do that, Parliament will need to change the Word of God. If it were possible they would. Don’t underestimate the wiles of Satan, he will make every effort to sideline the Bible, and with the help of the Archbishop. Historically, not an unusual occurrence! Don’t think it will stop here.
Thankfully Jesus said ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.’ (Mat 24.35)
Same-Sex Marriage – Against God’s Law
At midnight tonight same-sex marriage will become legal in England and Wales. I know we are supposed to give up on this issue and treat same-sex marriage as normal. The problem is for anyone that takes the Bible seriously for what it actually is, the Word of God, this is not possible.
With a new empowerment, emboldened by an Anti-Christian State so-called tolerance will be meted out on Christians or anyone else that refuses to bow down and worship this manifestation of Baal.
However strong this latest rebellion against the Lordship and Kingly rule of Jesus Christ, it will ultimately fail. In that last day,
‘at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’ (Php 2:10 & 11)
But while we are in Gospel days and while there is still time, Repent and Believe the Gospel (Mark 1:15).
The UK Floods, The Judgement of God & Same-Sex Marriage
Well, it had to happen. I heard the comment, not first hand I admit, but via a good source from someone I know well. That disastrous floods in the UK are the judgement of God because of the Government stand on Same-Sex Marriage. I realise by now that a UKIP councillor, David Silvester, also made the link. Mind you, he got panned for it. UKIP suspended him for failing to keep his views to himself. (For US readers: UKIP is a political party) Nigel Farage, the UKIP leader, according to The Telegraph said: this ‘is real extremism and nastiness’. So much for Free Speech then Nigel. I was going to vote UKIP as well, it turns out they are just that same as all the other Godless political parties. No surprise there I guess.
Is it True?
Without entering into a rant over Free Speech, there’s only one question worth asking. Is this true? Not a question we are allowed to ask any-more. Were the floods a judgement from God? It could be so. In truth, I have no idea and neither has anyone else the foggiest clue. One things for sure though, any mention of Judgement from God will be seen as nutty, nasty and nonsensical. It’s nothing new: we read in 2 Peter 3:3-4
‘… scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.”
So despite mankind’s supposed advancement, they were saying exactly the same thing. Nothing new there then! There’s no doubt that Homosexuality and all its associated manifestations is sinful before a Holy & Righteous God. The Bible clearly says so and in several places. So it’s no good arguing that one. But the floods the UK experienced; a direct result of Same-Sex Marriage? Unlikely, to say the least.
If that is the case, why hasn’t there been a judgement over adultery, spoken against far more in the Bible. And in scathing terms. And what about the pornographic industry? And then there’s the abortion holocaust, so easily forgotten. Not forgetting all the lying, thieving, self-righteousness and a host of other ‘sins’ worthy of judgement falling upon us. The law of God is devastating not just for homosexuals, but for us all: James 2:10 ‘For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all’. And so we are all guilty, all of us, Romans 3.23
At the root of such connections as the flooding is a misunderstanding of the judgement of God as it pertains to today. To my mind the UK (and the West generally) is without doubt under the judgement of God. Same-Sex Marriage is a part of it. But it’s not what many people, even many Christians, think. Like the good councillor, it’s normal to think of judgement in term of disaster. [As do the climate doom-mongers – those guys can’t get enough of it!] It is a disaster, of unbelievable proportions, but not the one you might think of.
And we know this is a judgement of God because the Bible clearly tells us it is. And it’s happening right now.
Any talk of the Judgement of God is a serious matter and not to be taken lightly. But in Romans 1 we have the clearest and most terrifying statement of its reality. Pay especial note to the highlighted text in verses 24, 26 & 28. Also note on the part of the sinner (again, that’s all of us) a deliberate suppression of the knowledge of God. Here are the verses:
God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-32)
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting (please note the following list); 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[c] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[d] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
If you have got this far you will notice this handing over is not some form of catastrophe or disaster but is a giving up, a handing over of people to what they want to do. You say, what sort of Judgement is that! But here’s the thing, doing those very things that God condemns are the things people want to do, and if not actually do, approve of. So the government approve and make legal these very things. In fact, it’s now frowned on to disprove of the things God condemns. So as the country moves further and further away from its Judeo – Christian foundations the worse it will get. The light will dim as people prefer the darkness of a world without God. Be assured this is not a good thing.
And Yet there is Light in the Darkness
And yet, all the while the Grace of God is held out in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We all should be thankful the full and final judgement of God has not yet come upon us and we still live in the day of Grace. When the law of God pierces the heart and conscience of the sinner how precious is the sacrifice of the Son of God upon The Cross. Why will you perish O sinner? Turn & repent that you may live.
Obama calls from Air Force One / God calls from Heaven
Been meaning to post this even if it is a little bit of an ‘old news’ story now but just the other week we had – even over here on the news – Obama calling from Air Force One to support a Lesbian marriage – ‘we’re proud of you guys’ I think Obama says over the phone.
But God calls from heaven through His Word:
‘For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men’ Rom 1:26 & 26.
There really is no way of getting round it – the Bible is very plain. God says one thing and they say another! Anyone that can say ‘God bless America’ while at the same time promoting the exact opposite of the clear will of God as reveled in the Bible is engaging in hypocrisy of the highest order.
Thinking about our own Prim Minister and Barak Obama the first two verses of Psalm 2 come to mind:
Psalm 2
Why do the nations rage[a]
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
and the rulers take counsel together,
against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
“Let us burst their bonds apart
and cast away their cords from us.”
He who sits in the heavens laughs;
the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have set my King
on Zion, my holy hill.”
The reason why the Same-Sex Marriage debate and all its associated issues draw so much comment is well illustrated by the above verses from Psalm 2. It’s just blatant rebellion behind a veneer or facade of religiosity. I’d have more respect for these men if they were just honest Atheists.
But God holds them in derision, He laughs at these leaders and their petty power plays. Yes, the law under these men may well have some Christians brought before the law courts but Jesus says: I will tell you who to fear, fear Him who is able to cast both body and soul into hell (Matthew 10.28). By the way, James White mentions the arrest of Tony Miano, commenting that ‘The Gospel is now illegal in the UK’. This is effectively what these two men are doing (Obama & Cameron) while hiding behind a cloak of religion.
Cameron & Obama clearly have no fear of God. Let’s pray that God may yet be gracious to them and they will come to their senses and bow without hypocrisy before King Jesus.
Is it time to leave marriage?
Is it time to leave marriage?
Sadly, I’m assuming the same-sex marriage bill will go through eventually. Even if the Lords vote it down. Several thoughts go through the mind on contemplating this terrible decision: by people who largely have their eye on what ‘people’ might think and not on the truth and what God thinks.
I have no way of knowing and certainly no way of proving if it was, or is so – that is, is God handing us over as a Nation to ‘what ought not to be done’? It’s worth thinking about. When society gets what it wants while sticking two fingers up to God little thought is given to the possibility that God is handing us over as judgment. Christians get caught up in this, but it may be an opportunity to ‘come apart and be separate’.
A little while ago I linked to an article that proposed the Church leave marriage to those that want it and begin to rename it Holy Matrimony. This would achieve, it seems to me, separation, at least on this topic and might make a way open to talk about other issues from a Biblical perspective. Holy Matrimony would work because the word ‘Holy’ actually means ‘separate’. If you apply this to the Bible – as I think we should – Holy means ‘separate’, and Bible means ‘book’ or biblion in Greek. So the Holy Bible is a separate book. And indeed it is, there is no other book like it, it is unique among all the books in the world. It’s the only book where God has spoken. That’s its uniqueness – not just that it’s different. It’s set-apart.
I found the following among several ceremony options at Bible.org and thought it encapsulated Holy [bonds of] Matrimony perfectly. The key of course, is that marriage is ordained of God. But to change what God has decreed is nothing new. Adam & Eve wanted to be like God. MP’s want to usurp God and be little god’s – it’s the nature of sin for all of us to rebel and do what we think is right. This is why God has given us a more sure word that we don’t have to wonder what is right because God has made it plain. Changing the institution of marriage is nothing more than open rebellion against God and is what we should expect. The UK has been living off the capital of the Reformation but the coffers are now running out.
A number of prominent Conservatives – including Lord Tebbit and Lord Waddington – also spoke out against the bill but former Tory chairman Lord Fowler said it would be “politically suicidal” to reject a bill that had been approved by MPs
There’s the real reason (source: BBC) as I alluded to earlier: political suicide. Absolutely nothing to do with truth or integrity.
Wedding Ceremony Sample 12
Opening Remarks
Dearly Beloved, we are gathered together here in the presence of God and this company to join (Groom ___________ and (Bride) ___________ in the holy bonds of matrimony. Marriage is an institution ordained of God when man’s estate was that of innocence and supreme happiness. God prepared a perfect home for Adam and placed him in the midst of a beautiful garden rich in earth’s choicest fruits. He gave him blessed employment, free from anxiety and toil, in caring for the garden. At first man was alone, having no human associate and helper. Birds and beasts and all the living creatures of earth could not bring him satisfaction. God is pictured as noting man’s incompleteness and lack of perfect happiness apart from woman. Now follows the beautiful story of the forming of woman from the side of man. Let us not forget the great lessons God would teach by this story. Let us look at the proper relation between husband and wife, “that she was not made out of his head to rule over him; nor out of his feet to be trampled on by him; but out of his side to be equal with him; under his arm to be protected; and near his heart to be beloved.” When God made woman He made her to be man’s helper and companion. “I will make for him a help, as his counter-part,” said God. What nobler mission could woman desire than this? God’s thought about marriage is the union of one man and one woman in perpetual wedlock. We would naturally infer from our Savior’s presence and the part He played at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee, that he considered the act of matrimony well worth His own recognition; but when He selected the tie that binds husband an wife as a fit emblem of His relationship to His own ransomed church He broadened and deepened its significance until there is no tie on earth so binding and none so sacred, as that which binds men and women in the holy bonds of matrimony. Such a relationship then, should not be entered into thoughtlessly, insincerely or indiscreetly, but advisedly, thoughtfully, and in fear of God.
Source: Bible.org
Marriage Matters – letter to MP
Colin Hart of Coalition for Marriage asked for emails / letters to be sent to MP’s. The following is the email I sent today to my MP. Mark Pawsey is actually supportive of traditional marriage but Politicians sometimes need the encouragement – and the backbone – to stick to their principles. To be fair we all need that, it’s easy to buckle when the pressure is on. Pray for grace to stand firm.
Dear Mr Pawsey,
Suggestions for points to make:
- We’ve already seen equality laws being used against people who express support for traditional marriage.
- Foster carers should not be blacklisted by local councils just because they oppose same-sex marriage.
- Religious groups should not be banned from hiring public venues just because they support traditional marriage.
- The Public Sector Equality Duty should not be used to punish those who support traditional marriage, like teachers or other public sector workers.
- True equality should mean fairness, but these days it means imposing political correctness on people.
I have pasted these in as they seem fairly reasonable and I’d ask you to vote against the bill and support the historical and current meaning of marriage.
Maybe those that want to see a change to the definition of marriage would like to consider coming up with their own definition rather than hi-jacking what has been perfectly acceptable for hundreds of years. It’s a bit like wanting to call a circle a square simply because I want it to be so. I do not agree with their lifestyle choice – and it is a choice – but I accept the provision of legislation that will protect same-sex couples in cases of tax and inheritance in the same way sisters that live together might need protection. But I fail to see why Marriage needs to be re-defined in order to achieve it.
The real reason behind this – it seems to me – is to further undermine the Christian faith. Continuing to undermine the Christian principles our Nation has been [founded] upon can only result in disaster for all of us. It will of course create a new minority – if it doesn’t already exist – of Christians and I can’t see the same paradigm shifts taking place to accommodate them, can you.
Thanks for supporting Marriage in the past, please continue to do so.
Kind Regards,
Is this Goodbye to Free Speech?
The second reading of the Same-Sex Marriage bill was passed a couple of weeks ago but I wrote most of this on the day of the vote but for some reason didn’t post it – so here it is!
Will this vote see the end of Free Speech. It should concern any lover of Democracy, that the freedom to disagree with the Same-Sex legislation will end. I believe it will see the beginning of a Witch-Hunt to find and root out ‘deniers’ of Same-Sex Marriage.
Stonewall and other ideological lobby groups will over time entrap unsuspecting believers (Christians) into saying something that will force a prosecution. This is already happening. Stonewall, I suggest, will not rest until everyone sees Homosexual & Lesbian practice and therefore Same-Sex Marriage as normal.
I haven’t heard or read (please correct me) about any protection for individuals in the work place or any other place for that matter that disagrees or believes that not only same-sex marriages but homosexuality & lesbianism is sinful according to the Bible. There looks to be only protection for Individual Ministers & Religious Organisations (if it happens) but nothing for the ordinary individual Christian, e.g. in the workplace. Not just Christians, but anyone that agrees with the phrase “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it” (attributed to Voltaire) ought to be concerned. I’ll certainly be writing to my MP (and PM) again about this.
With Martin Luther then we must surely say:
“Unless I am convinced by proofs from Scriptures or by plain and clear reasons and arguments, I can and will not retract, for it is neither safe nor wise to do anything against conscience. Here I stand. I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
Where this leaves the Bible in all this will be interesting to see because the Bible teaches the very opposite of what could soon be enshrined in UK Law.
Will the Bible be outlawed? Will some passages of the Bible be outlawed and will those that believe those passages and indeed all the Bible be outlawed?
Where to now? The Bill now passes through to the House of Lords and to further scrutiny by Parliament There is then – I think – a third reading before it becomes law. The Bill will come under intense critical reading as it moves through the Parliamentary process. Whether this will be the opportunity to build into legislation protection for those that disagree I can’t say. But to not prosecute ‘deniers’ raises the question about what it was all about in the first place. It seems to me prosecutions will follow.
I do not believe the majority are for this change – but what is more likely to be true is that the majority just can’t be bothered. Apathy.
There is another possible alternative for the Church to think about. Go here to read about it – but basically the Church itself re-defines marriage and calls it Holy Matrimony.
I only heard snippets from the speeches but was struck that some MP’s said or at least implied something like: ‘I don’t believe God would be against same-sex marriage’ or ‘a God of love would not allow same-sex couples in loving relationships to be barred from marriage’ or similar sentiments. But how can anyone presume to speak for God when He has already spoken plainly in His Word the Bible.
Why anyone would want to claim the name of Christian or follower of Jesus and yet completely ignore what He has to say can only be explained by the words of the Apostle Paul as follows:
2 Timothy 3:1-9
1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.
6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
2 Timothy 4:3, 8 & 9
New International Version (NIV)
3 For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
8 We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.