Blog

How does the topic of same-sex marriage relate to the creation vs. evolution debate? Some might say that the two topics are totally unrelated. Others might say homosexuality is a practice that is permissible under Jesus’ covenant of grace and that the theory of evolution should be embraced over a literal interpretation of Genesis. These particular arguments arise because Jesus never mentioned homosexuality during his earthly ministry and the Bible never specifically addresses the age of the earth or evolution. In other words, they arise from arguments of silence. Nonetheless, they are fairly common arguments. The reason that I infer that the two topics are related is because they both question the authority of God’s Word and embrace a humanistic worldview.

I am not saying that such people are atheists, but that their worldview resembles that of an atheist more so than that of a Christian. A humanistic worldview implies that mankind itself is the source of authority that determines good and evil, right and wrong. Because most public and private schools embrace a humanistic philosophy almost everybody who has been born after the 1960s has a pattern of thought that resembles a person that does not believe in God. This is despite the fact that the majority of people claim to believe in God! This is why many people have departed from the faith in the past 20 years, because our thought patterns are directly contradicting God’s Word; ultimately leaving no room for Jesus in our lives.

That is why we as Christians cannot affectively debate other people that claim to be Christians that embrace homosexuality. The passages that condemn a homosexual lifestyle are in the Bible, but because of the other person’s secular-christian worldview he or she will instead make the debate into an argument of nuances: “This passage is only in relation to men. Paul is only addressing unnatural homosexuals; not the natural ones. The word ‘homosexual’ never appears in the original language. ‘Same-sex marriage’ is never spoken against in the Bible. It is actually speaking out against prostitution, not homosexuality.”

Such arguments are made as though the Apostles were born in the past 50 years and wrote these passages as though they were open to interpretations contrary to what they were clearly saying. This is exactly the same with Genesis 1. The original language states: “Yom ehad = day one. Yom sheniy = day two. Yom sheliyshiy = day three,” etc. The text itself does not leave much room for alternative interpretation unless we disregard the historic understanding of these passages and impose a modern skeptic’s or a postmodern relativistic understanding to them. The historic understanding, of course, is going to be the most accurate way to interpret these passages because the early commentators had a similar worldview to the original authors. Unfortunately, we have to understand the Scriptures 2000 years after they were written. That is not to say that the historic interpretations/translations are always correct, but the doctrine on homosexuality has stood solid since before the days of Jesus!

The humanistic perspective suggests that humans are nothing more than enlightened animals. Animals do that which is instinctual and do not have the ability to reason. Even though humanists acknowledge that humans have the ability to reason they also believe that many humans are not evolved enough to fully tap into this potential. Therefore, they believe sexual activity and preference is about as much of a choice as eating. Humanist’s do not have the high view of man that Christians do. The Biblical teaching is that mankind was created in the image of God and possesses a free will and the ability to override instincts.

Where the evolutionist says, “You must eat to survive,” the creationist (or Christian) says, “You may choose what you want to eat.” In this case, one may choose to eat something detrimental to one’s health if he or she chooses to do so. Certain foods might look and taste good, but they ultimately have negative affects if they are eaten.

We as Christians must hold to what the Scriptures say. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:23). “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2a). And even though some might seek to discourage us in our beliefs, we understand that “God has made foolish the wisdom of the world” (1 Corinthians 1:20). The message of the cross is foolish to the world (1:23), but “the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength” (1:25).

Christian web sites that address homosexual marriage:

http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2013/01/29/pro-gay-theology

http://catholicexchange.com/what-would-the-greeks-have-thought-of-gay-marriage/

Some of the passages that speak against homosexuality:

You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination. (Leviticus 18:22)

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 and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. (Romans 1:26-27)

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

(Even though the Bible does speak strongly against homosexuality, it extends the same grace to people who have been trapped within this lifestyle. As Christians, we need to show them Christ’s love).