Who Defines Marriage?
Who or what defines marriage? Is it tradition? Public opinion? God? It should be obvious to Christians that God alone defines marriage. First in the book of Genesis and later in the Gospels, God defines marriage as a lifelong covenant union between a man and a woman. This has been understood as the definition of marriage for thousands of years. Recently, radical homosexuals have begun a campaign to redefine marriage to fit their agendas.
How should Christians respond? As we fight to protect biblical marriage, to what final authority should we appeal? As noted above, it is God who defines marriage. Thus, for the Christian, our appeal for authority should be to God’s Word – the Bible.
Sadly, many Christian leaders, in their defense of marriage, do not appeal to the Scriptures for authority – except in some rare passing comments. Rather, they appeal to tradition and public opinion to defend marriage. Just listen to see if I’m right. When Christian leaders get on the radio or TV to defend marriage, listen to the statements they make. Listen for a statement like, “We need to save traditional marriage...” Traditional marriage? Do we defend marriage because it’s traditional or because it’s biblical?
How about this statement: “The majority believes that marriage is between a man and a woman. Just look at these polls - 70% of the people voted for traditional marriage...” Is marriage defined as it is because the majority says so? What would happen if the majority supported gay “marriage?” Christians would surely stop using the public opinion argument. Is it acceptable to appeal to majority opinion only when it agrees with us?
Human tradition and majority opinion are relativistic standards – they can change direction as easily as the wind. Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not accusing these Christian leaders of having relativistic standards. I’m sure they really do believe that the Word of God is the ultimate infallible standard. It’s likely that they just haven’t thought it through. They probably don’t realize what they are doing when they appeal to tradition and majority opinion. We need to help them see the truth. We must remind them that the Scriptures must be our standard, and then we should appeal to the Scriptures in our defense of marriage! Let’s proclaim it to the world!
How should Christians respond? As we fight to protect biblical marriage, to what final authority should we appeal? As noted above, it is God who defines marriage. Thus, for the Christian, our appeal for authority should be to God’s Word – the Bible.
Sadly, many Christian leaders, in their defense of marriage, do not appeal to the Scriptures for authority – except in some rare passing comments. Rather, they appeal to tradition and public opinion to defend marriage. Just listen to see if I’m right. When Christian leaders get on the radio or TV to defend marriage, listen to the statements they make. Listen for a statement like, “We need to save traditional marriage...” Traditional marriage? Do we defend marriage because it’s traditional or because it’s biblical?
How about this statement: “The majority believes that marriage is between a man and a woman. Just look at these polls - 70% of the people voted for traditional marriage...” Is marriage defined as it is because the majority says so? What would happen if the majority supported gay “marriage?” Christians would surely stop using the public opinion argument. Is it acceptable to appeal to majority opinion only when it agrees with us?
Human tradition and majority opinion are relativistic standards – they can change direction as easily as the wind. Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not accusing these Christian leaders of having relativistic standards. I’m sure they really do believe that the Word of God is the ultimate infallible standard. It’s likely that they just haven’t thought it through. They probably don’t realize what they are doing when they appeal to tradition and majority opinion. We need to help them see the truth. We must remind them that the Scriptures must be our standard, and then we should appeal to the Scriptures in our defense of marriage! Let’s proclaim it to the world!
Labels: Biblical Worldview
posted by Scott Eash at 8:46 AM
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