On Monday, October 6th, the Supreme Court announced its decision not to consider appeals by Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin to ban gay marriage. This allows the appellate court rulings to stand, thus authorizing gay marriage in these 5 states. Since Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming also fall under the jurisdiction of the lower court, same-sex marriage will also be granted in those states. This makes same-sex marriage now legal in 30 states and in the District of Columbia.
Those of us who hold a Biblical world-view are saddened by the high Court’s decision, but I must say that I am not surprised. The trend is predictable – momentum seems to favor the legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide. Even states that have had successful ballot initiatives against gay marriage have been overruled by the courts. We can hope that the Fifth Circuit (Louisiana, Texas & Mississippi) will rule against gay marriage, thus forcing an eventual Supreme Court ruling, but the outcome might actually be worse. There is the potential for a pro-gay-marriage Supreme Court ruling, which would have nation-wide negative consequences.
Legally and politically, it appears that there is now very little that Bible-believers and traditionalists can do. However, this doesn’t mean that our work is done – there are things that we can do:
1. We can continue to warn against all forms of sexual immorality, from pre-marital sex (straight or gay), to extra-marital sex (straight or gay), to bestiality and pedophilia. The Bible condemns all forms of illicit sex. Paul says that adultery, fornication and homosexuality will prevent one from inheriting the kingdom of God (1 Corinthians 6:9). “Adultery” describes cases where at least one of the sex partners is married to someone else. The word suggests a covenant violation – a mixing of things that do not belong together. By engaging in sexual relations with someone other than one’s spouse, the adulterer violates his marriage contract. “Fornication” is a general term that includes all forms of sexual immorality, but as above, is sometimes mentioned in connection with other sexual sins. It includes all illicit sexual intercourse, including premarital (unmarried) sex (1 Corinthians 7:2), adultery (Hebrews 13:4), bestiality and homosexuality. Homosexuality is same-gender sex, whether male-with-male or female-with-female (as addressed by Paul in Romans 1:26, 27). Same-gender marriage is condemned along with same-gender sexual activity.
2. We can continue to teach the true nature and purpose of marriage. The Bible authorizes marriage only between a male and a female (Matthew 19:4-5; 1 Corinthians 7:2). It nowhere authorizes marriage between males and males or females and females, and it nowhere authorizes marriage between a woman and multiple men (polyandry) or a man and multiple women (polygamy). Social and cultural mores may change, but God’s word “is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens” (Psalm 119:89).
3. We must give up the tired old notion that “marriage” is a state ordinance, or that marriage “is ratified” by human government. Though it has not been problematic until recent years, this concept has always been wrong. Now, with 30 states allowing same-sex marriage, it is high time that people realize that God never charged human government with the tasks of establishing and regulating marriage. Paul told the saints at Rome that “A woman that has a husband is bound by the Law to her husband as long as he lives” (Romans 7:2). When Paul said “bound by the Law,” he did not mean bound by human law; he meant bound by divine Law! It is God’s law that “binds” a man and a woman in marriage.
Some have cited Romans 13:1-4 as proof that marriage is a state ordinance. Perhaps they should read the passage again. It says nothing about “marriage.” No Scripture makes marriage a state ordinance. Furthermore, state and federal control of marriage has produced disastrous results. We have a 50% divorce rate, divorce and remarriage for any cause, a lackadaisical view of the marriage contract, and now GAY marriage! When people see marriage only as an institution of the state, they will treat it that way.
Romans 13:1-4 does teach that we must obey civil authorities, so those wishing to get married must comply with civil requirements. However, this is not because God ceded the control of marriage to human courts and legislators, but “for conscience’ sake” and “to avoid punishment” (v. 5). The courts may authorize same-sex marriage and divorce for any cause, but God doesn’t.
Tim Haile