Supreme Shame: Part 1
On the one hand, the Court's majority and same-sex marriage advocates endorse what marriage has been all of these years. They commend it as a good, something to be extended to others, something from which gays and lesbians should not be "locked out." On the other hand, they must destroy that desired thing by redefinition to let gays and lesbians in. To make it available to all, it must be redefined. Once redefined away from a male-female institution to "anything goes," it ceases to exist. Logically, by making marriage everything they have made it nothing. Ethically, by this definition they have corrupted it into a moral shame.
Someone else objects, "Why single homosexuality out?" To the contrary, homosexual sin is part of the vice list above, as well as others. Instead, it is those who want to justify homosexual activity who are looking to single it out. We do not hear calls to remove thieves from the list, or adulterers. It is the defenders who want an exception, by taking homosexual behavior off the list, who are guilty of singling it out.
The bad news is that no matter what the Supreme Court has said, no matter how happy some think these "marriages" will make them, those who live this lifestyle "will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Get Our Latest News for FREE
The good news is that no matter how far one has gone into this dark world, or how long they have been involved in this sin, they can be forgiven and changed through the Gospel. Justice Kennedy justifies homosexuality and laments a time when society sought to change homosexuals. To the contrary, the Apostle Paul seeks a different "justification." He celebrates Corinthian church members who had come out of this lifestyle and had been washed, sanctified, and "justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." Yes, same-sex attraction may be an ongoing issue of temptation, as different sinful tendencies are for other Christians who battle with various kinds of struggles. Yes, this is a matter of discipleship and requires ongoing spiritual formation. But if the Bible means anything here it means that homosexuals can be forgiven and changed by the Holy Spirit like all other saved sinners. This is the Christian Gospel. Christ died for our sins and rose again. This is the message for Ellen and many others. I know because it was the message for me and has been for all others who believe. Though our particular sins may differ, the solution is the same. Jesus saves from all sin and shame.
Some politicians (and even some Christians) object that however sinful homosexual practice might be, we can't legislate morality. But this Supreme Court opinion is not about what is merely tolerated or allowed, it is about making marriage a legal right that can be demanded. This manufactured right is being imposed on the states and will be required of the county clerks, regardless of their beliefs. As we have seen from lower courts, these "marriages" must, by force of law, be catered by the bakers, decorated by the florists, photographed by the photographers, and hosted by the wedding chapels – in spite of their beliefs against homosexual marriage.
Likewise, objectors of this sort will say I'm overlooking "the separation of church and state." To paraphrase Inigo Montoya, they keep using that phrase and I do not think it means what they think it means. It means we should not have a European style state-church, or a Vatican-like church-state. It does not mean Judeo-Christian principles are irrelevant for government public policy.
For instance, most of these critics rightly celebrate the Judeo-Christian principles that led the abolitionists to destroy the slave trade. Likewise, they laud Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., for basing the civil rights movement on biblical arguments and rallying the cause to victory. These leaders are also happy to talk about Old or New Testament ideas when they think it will help an environmental cause, their immigration agenda, the latest program for the poor, and so on. They regularly support political, legislative, and other legal efforts with appeals to Christian teaching, but deny that method in this case. Can they pick and choose, and be consistent? They must decide if Judeo-Christian principles are to inform public policy, or not. You must decide, too.
Other Christian leaders now caution against sounding shrill, apocalyptic, or going too negative in general. There is much that is good in that warning. This is one of the reasons why I signed on to the "Here We Stand: An Evangelical Declaration on Marriage" pledge. Besides clearly standing up for marriage, it discourages "outrage and panic" over the court decision because God is on the throne and His Kingdom is not threatened by any political development. I also understand the need to be on mission, winsome, evangelistic, and all things to all men that we might by all means save some.
However, let us be equally clear that we need the prophetic voice like Isaiah, who cried out, "Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil" (Isaiah 5:20). Will anyone say "Woe" to President Obama? Will anyone say "Woe" to Justices Kennedy, Sotomayor, Breyer, Kagan, and Ginsburg. Anyone? Anyone?
We need more prophets like John the Baptist, who spoke rough and straight to political and religious leaders. This is not the time for naïve Christians to use a surface WWJD slogan, to withdraw and say "Let's just be loving like Jesus." Remember that the loving Jesus also lashed out with a whip at those who took something sacred and were trying to corrupt it for secular purposes.
Still someone else counters that Jesus said, "Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's." I know that, too, and it's also why I've pledged to respect and pray for governing authorities. We must pray for these leaders publicly in our churches, with our families at home, and privately when no one is looking.
But I also consider how Jesus responded when He was warned by His disciples to leave the area because King Herod was out to get him. Jesus said, "Go tell that fox" about my mission, I'm going anyway. At His trial before Pontius Pilate, the loving Jesus also rebuked the Roman governor by saying that he would not have power if it had not been given to him by God.
So here's some Christian messaging on the High Court decision. In the spirit of the Gospel, no matter what the Supreme Court says, homosexual practice is sinful. It is not a cause for celebration. But instead, as with all kinds of sin, it is a cause for repentance. We should kindly invite these folks to Jesus and His Church. Along with every other Christian, I am a sinner who needed a Savior telling other sinners where I found forgiveness and change. At the cross, Jesus took care of my sin and shame. He can do it for Ellen. He can do it for you. "Come to Jesus." This is our message.
In the spirit of the New Testament, let's respect government offices and pray for those who hold them. Let's work within the electoral process to get the right laws and the right leaders, as well as get rid of the wrong laws and the wrong leaders.
In the spirit of the prophets, given the great harm done by this Court and President, I also say, "Shame." Shame on you, Supreme Court. Shame on you, President Obama. You should be ashamed because you have called evil, "good" and called good, "evil." As leaders, you have misled the people in your care, many who think that having a legal "gay marriage" will lead to human flourishing. It will not. It is sin that leads to personal destruction and final judgment.
This three-part commentary will continue this week. Part 2: "Supreme Sham" will cover legal considerations. Part 3: "Supreme Shambles" will cover practical considerations.
