Screw You, God!

Yesterday the Illinois House collectively raised its middle finger in a childish temper tantrum and yelled “Screw You, God!” to the LORD God of heaven and earth. This gesture was disguised as a legislative bill that legalized same sex “marriage.” The Illinois Senate did the same thing back on February 14. The Illinois Governor has promised to sign this bill into law.

But try as it may, government can no more legitimately redefine marriage than it can legitimately redefine an apple “a banana,” a tree “a lake,” a dog “a crocodile,” or the sun “a giant luminous marshmallow in the sky.” Government cannot legitimately redefine what God has created, defined, sanctioned, and blessed. Nor does the Church recognize such a false “marriage” as true marriage.

God’s Word teaches us that marriage is a gift from Him. A man leaves his father and mother, holds fast to his wife, and the two become one flesh. God is the One who joins husband and wife together. In this sacred union, the husband nourishes and cherishes his wife as Christ loved His body, the Church. He pledges her his faithfulness. He loves, honors, and keeps her in sickness and in health and remains united to her alone as long as they both shall live. Reciprocating this love, the wife submits to her husband as the Church submits to Christ. She pledges him her faithfulness. She loves, honors, and keeps him in sickness and in health and remains united to him alone as long as they both shall live. In this way, marriage is held in honor and the bed undefiled.

Yes, we live in a sinful and broken world. Yes, husbands and wives daily fail each other. Yes, divorce runs rampant. All of these problems need to be dealt with in accordance with God’s Word. But none of these problems legitimizes our culture’s desire to redefine marriage to something it is not.

At the end of the day, you can take one of two stands on this issue. You can believe God’s Word and confess the beautiful gift a one man one woman marriage is, or you can reject God’s Word and raise your middle finger to Him in a show of defiance. I pray that you, by God’s grace, will add your Amen to what your loving God has given humanity for its good and with His blessing.

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5:25-32]

Far More Precious Than Jewels

“An excellent wife ... is far more precious than jewels.”

[Proverbs 31:10]

Sixteen years ago today the good Lord joined Lori and me together in holy matrimony. That day we promised to live together in the holy estate of matrimony as God ordained it. To love, honor, and cherish each other. To forsake all others and remain united to each other alone, as long as we both shall live. That day we vowed to have and to hold each other. For better, for worse. For richer, for poorer. In sickness and in health. Till death us do part. According to God’s holy will. Then, we pledged each other our faithfulness. What a joyous day our wedding was. What a joyous lifelong blessing our marriage is!

Lori, I thank God every day for providing me with a faithful, beautiful, intelligent, godly wife—and a devoted, loving, nurturing mother to our four boys—in you. I pray that each and every day Christ’s love for His bride, the Church, will increasingly shape my love for you.

To quote wise King Solomon, “many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all” ... for “a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised” (Proverbs 31:28, 30). You are an excellent wife, Lori, far more precious to me than jewels!

Upholding Marriage: God’s Gift and Plan

A statement by the Rev. Bart Day, executive director, Office of National Mission

June 26, 2013

Today the Supreme Court issued its ruling, striking down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), allowing for federal benefits for legally married gay couples and potentially allowing for gay marriage in all of California with regard to Proposition 8.

As Christians, we believe and confess that God Himself instituted marriage as the life-long union of one man and one woman. Same-sex unions are contrary to God’s will, and gay marriage is, in the eyes of God, no marriage at all. As Christians, we proclaim this truth, no matter what the courts or legislatures may say. We are called not to popularity but to truth. Therefore, we call on our fellow Christians to be faithful first to God’s Word, knowing that another court is ultimately supreme.

Marriage is a fundamental building block of society, binding parents to their offspring. Every child benefits from the nurture of a mother and the leadership of a father. While having one mother is a blessing, having two mothers or two fathers is confusing for the child and detrimental to her well-being. The divorce culture has done great harm to the institution of marriage as well, and The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has and will continue to respond to that heartache with Christ’s comfort while simultaneously working to restore a culture where marriage is upheld.

While this occasion reminds us that Scripture calls homosexuality sinful (see Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:24–27), the Bible also says plainly that those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” that is to say, those who repent and show genuine sorrow over their sin, are forgiven and loved by Christ.

And so as Christ’s Church, we forgive and love too, following His lead with compassion and humility. We forgive and love because we are all sinners in need of His grace and mercy; because no matter the sin, we have all rebelled against our Creator and fallen prey to unbelief; because He has justified us by grace through faith, freely given and joyfully received (Rom. 3:23–24); because Christ has reconciled us to the Father; because He has declared us righteous and we are.

In love, we will continue to teach marriage according to God’s plan and gift. We will continue to proclaim marriage as a picture of Christ’s love for His bride, the church. And we will continue to be a place of forgiveness, mercy and healing for all people, even as we will continue to proclaim God’s truth in love. As we move forward, we offer up our prayers for the nation and particularly for marriage, family and children.

Rev. Bart Day, executive director
LCMS Office of National Mission

Saying Yes to Sex

For many in our culture, Christianity is little more than a “No!” religion. They view our faith as an endless list of “no this” and “no that.” This is especially true of the Sixth Commandment. Christians who take God at His Word are seen as sexual prudes by a culture that is sex crazed and sexually immoral. It is true that Holy Scripture prohibits many things related to sexuality. No adultery. No fornication. No homosexual acts. No sexual immorality. No lust. No coveting.

All of those things are true. But “No!” is only half the story. When it comes to sexuality, Holy Scripture beautifully sets forth a God-given “Yes!”

Sexuality is a gift from God. “Male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27). Why two and not just one? Because “it is not good that the man should be alone” (Genesis 2:18). There is only one God, and yet He is a plurality of persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So also humanity is a plurality—male and female. The woman is “a helper fit for” the man (Genesis 2:18).

Man and woman fit together beautifully within this divine design. In fact, God created them so that “a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). In Holy Scripture “one flesh” means sexual relations. Thus, sex comes with a definite “Yes!” from God, within the sacred institution of marriage. One of the chief reasons God created sexuality is the procreation of children. “Be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28). That’s God speaking. Again, He’s saying “Yes!” to sex, within the sacred institution of marriage.

Since the fall into sin, God also designates marriage as a partial remedy against temptation. “Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband” (1 Corinthians 7:2).

All of this marriage and sex talk is ultimately wrapped up in the divine mystery of Christ and His bride—the Church:

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5:25-32]

The reason why adultery, fornication, homosexual acts, sexual immorality, lust, and covetousness are sinful is because they take what is good and holy—sex within marriage—and adulterate it with self-seeking pursuits. Christ has one bride. He laid down His life for her. He is ever faithful to her. Every marriage is to be a reflection of that redemptive fact.

So don’t be afraid to confess God’s “No!” when it comes to sexual sins. And don’t forget to also add God’s “Yes!” when it comes to sex within marriage. There is virtue in God’s divine design. It’s called chastity—both before and within marriage. Just as Saint Paul told the Christians in Corinth, so I tell you: “I feel a divine jealousy for you, since I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure [chaste!] virgin to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:2).

As Lutherans, we have this beautifully spelled out in the Small Catechism, where Luther’s explanation to the Sixth Commandment doesn’t focus at all on the “No!” (which certainly could be done!), but solely on the “Yes!” of sex. “We should fear and love God so that we lead a sexually pure and decent life in what we say and do, and husband and wife love and honor each other.”

Let us read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest these words, and by God’s grace practice them, to the glory of God and for the good of our neighbor.

Pandora’s Box

Some laughed at the suggestions I made in a previous post regarding the open definition of marriage that is coming our way because of the redefinition of marriage that is taking place in our culture. As marriage is redefined to incorporate any persons who are in love, the inevitable conclusion is an open definition that includes any number of people.

Think that’s far-fetched? Just one week after New Zealand passed its “gay marriage” legislation, a new group has formed with the goal of having “group marriage” recognized and legalized. Click here for the story. How could a supporter of “gay marriage” not support this next move?

What did you expect from opening up the pandora’s box called “gay marriage”?

Why Are the “Open-Minded” So Limited, Narrow, and Restricting?

It seems almost everybody who is anybody (or wants to be somebody) is pushing “gay marriage” nowadays. One of the latest promotions came from MSNBC host Krystal Ball, who used her young daughter in a segment titled “Political Playground” on April 4 to try to win her viewers over.

She begins by asking her daughter if she would marry a boy someday if they were in love. She then asks her daughter if she would marry a girl someday if they were in love. After that little charade, Ms. Ball goes on to explain to her daughter how “strange” it is that some states don’t allow gay marriage. Her reasoning: “You want people to be able to marry who they are in love with, right?”

This rhetorical question is the driving force, the trump card, behind the push for gay marriage. It is the heart and soul of the red graphic with the “equal” sign pictured above, as well as the slogan “Support Marriage Equality.”

I wonder if those who “want people to be able to marry who they are in love with” realize exactly what they are promoting?

With such a definition, there are endless possibilities when it comes to marriage.

For starters, there is the traditional definition of marriage—one man and one woman.

The proponents of gay marriage are also pushing for the marriage of two men, as well as the marriage of two women.

But why stop there? If you truly “want people to be able to marry who they are in love with,” then you must add the following pairs who are in love:

• a sister and brother
• sisters
• brothers
• a father and daughter
• a father and son
• a mother and son
• a mother and daughter
• cousins (male and female, two males, or two females)
• an adult (male or female) and a teen (male or female)
• an adult (male or female) and a pre-teen (male or female)
• teens (male and female, two males, or two females)
• pre-teens (male and female, two males, or two females)
• and so on and so forth...

We’re not done yet. Not by a long shot. If you truly “want people to be able to marry who they are in love with,” then you must add the following groups who are in love:

• a man and multiple women
• a man and multiple men
• a woman and multiple men
• a woman and multiple women
• multiple men and multiple women
• a man and multiple children (male and/or female)
• a woman and multiple children (male and/or female)
• multiple adults (male and/or female) and multiple teens (male and/or female)
• multiple adults (male and/or female) and multiple pre-teens (male and/or female)
• and so on and so forth...

Supporters of gay marriage, who are you to restrict marriage to two people? To adults? To non-relatives? You call supporters of traditional marriage “intolerant” and “close-minded” and “bigoted” for opposing gay marriage. Look in the mirror of your own definition. If you oppose any of the combinations of people listed above (as well a thousand other combinations one can come up with), you are the one who is “intolerant” and “close-minded” and “bigoted.”

You claim you want marriage equality. But your own definition is very limited, very narrow, very restricting.

You’ve made the intolerant, close-minded, bigoted bed. Enjoy sleeping in it!

One Single Shape

“From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”

Saint Mark 10:6-9

The Misuse of Jesus’ Name in the Push for Gay Marriage

Today the Supreme Court begins hearing arguments as to whether or not states have the right to ban gay marriage.

One of the arguments repeatedly brought forth by some of those who support gay marriage—presumably by those who profess to be Christian, or at least want to use Christianity to support their position—is this: “Jesus never spoke out against homosexuality.”

If they are referring to an explicit statement condemning homosexuality by name, it is true. But that argument is neither logical nor legitimate. Jesus also never explicitly—by name!—spoke out against bestiality, rape, child abuse, kidnapping, torture, terrorism, and a whole host of other evils. However, that does not mean He had nothing to say on these sinful activities as well.

Here is the truth: Jesus explicitly reaffirms and reinforces the God-given definition of marriage—husband (male) and wife (female)—established in the Garden of Eden at the beginning of time:

“From the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” [Mark 10:6-9]

Male and female. A man and his wife. The two becoming one flesh. What God has joined together. Jesus doesn’t mince words. He explicitly reaffirms and reinforces the God-given definition of marriage, which, by the way, has been the norm ever since.

What’s more, the remainder of Holy Scripture completely agrees both with the institution of marriage in Genesis and with Jesus. In his letter to the saints in Rome, the Apostle Paul describes homosexual activity as being “dishonorable” and “contrary to nature” and “shameful”:

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. … 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 1:18-21, 26-27]

Paul then goes on to equate “men who practice homosexuality” with “the unrighteous” (1 Corinthians 6:9) and labels this practice “contrary to sound doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:10).

So don’t drag Christ’s holy name into your push for gay marriage. It is not only illogical and illegitimate, it is downright sinful, blasphemous, idolatrous. Marriage—in God’s eyes—was, is, and always will be the union of man and woman, male and female, husband and wife.

In fact, marriage is a picture, a reflection, an icon of the most perfect union of all—that of Jesus Christ and His Church. He is the Groom; she is the bride. Though we are sinful and unclean, He has cleansed us through the washing of water with the Word, clothed us with His perfect righteousness, and is preparing us for the wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. This is the reality upon which every marriage is built:

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. … “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. [Ephesians 5:25-32]

It is my prayer that the culture around us will continue to abide within this God-given blessing the way He established it. Anything short of this is sinful!

Self-Absorbed Happiness

The state of marriage in our culture is in disarray. Most couples nowadays shack up before marriage to “test drive” their potential spouse. Many get married for all the wrong reasons. And then there are those who are so self-absorbed with their own happiness that divorce becomes inevitable. After all, who could possibly love a narcissist as much as a narcissist loves him/herself?

Sadly, the state of marriage within Christianity isn’t much better. The attitude of most Christians who get divorced is simply this: I deserve to be happy. God wants me to be happy. My spouse isn’t making me happy. I’m going to file for divorce. Screw God’s Word. Screw the Church. Screw the pastor who says I shouldn’t. My happiness is all that matters.

Don’t fool yourself. God wants you to know and partake of the joy of His salvation in Christ. But earthly happiness wrapped up in a divorce that is contrary to God’s Word is sinful. Period.

Here is how one author decries the state of marriage and divorce in our midst:

Instead of looking to the Lord who instituted holy marriage to define what it is, a self-absorbed culture redefines marriage as a mere personal contract between a man and woman to be honored as long as they both shall will. ... The culture has lost the truth that a husband and wife are icons of Christ the bridegroom, and the Church, His bride. 

Divorce is prevalent among us Christians even though God hates divorce. ... Is this the promise of happiness that a culture of consumerism has promised? Hardly. Thank God Jesus will never divorce you. His love abides through the forgiveness of sins even in the midst of tragedies such as divorce. Perhaps we should remember there are reasons Jesus said, “What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:6). 

Obviously, divorce is also difficult for children. One of the lessons children learn from divorce is that when troubles come, there is always the option to just leave. Instead of having the love of God in Christ passed on to them, a love that “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:7), they are often left to experience the emptiness caused by the culture’s emphasis upon love of self. 

Marriage and family, as God instituted them, have at their root self-sacrifice, self-denial, and service willingly given to another. 

Pastor and Elders: Caring for the Church and One Another

Husbands and wives, forsake happiness on your own terms and utilize a daily routine of self-sacrifice, self-denial, and service willingly given to your spouse. Work toward your spouse’s happiness, not your own. And learn therein just how wonderful the holy estate of marriage is. True Christ-like marital happiness is found in selfless giving. Selfless loving. Selfless faithfulness till death do you part. Don’t take my word for it. Take God at His Word!

Most gracious God, we give thanks for the joy and blessings that You grant to husbands and wives. Assist them always by Your grace that with true fidelity and steadfast love they may honor and keep their marriage vows, grow in love toward You and for each other, and come at last to the eternal joys that You have promised; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

An Interfaith Letter to the Elected Leaders of Illinois

The following is a letter sent on January 1 by a host of religious leaders here in Illinois—including the President of the Northern Illinois District of the LCMS, of which I am a member—to the elected leaders of our state...

Dear Illinois lawmakers:

Marriage is the lifelong, faithful union of one man and one woman, and the natural basis of the family.

Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of society because a stable, loving marriage is the ideal environment for raising children. Through marriage, children grow up knowing that they were created through an act of intimate love. Marriage is also beneficial for adults as the ideal structure for men and women to live interdependently, recognizing the equal dignity, beauty and value of one another while also relying on each other’s care and love. This is the natural order embracing the complementary physical, emotional and spiritual design of men and women.

As such, marriage in its true definition has long been respected and publicly supported in our society. As religious leaders in Illinois, we find the continued affirmation of marriage between a man and a woman essential. The ongoing attempts to alter the definition of marriage in civil law are full of serious danger, primarily by degrading the cultural understanding of marriage to a temporary emotional bond between any two adults and by giving rise to a profound interference with the exercise of religious freedom for those persons and religious institutions whose faith and doctrine recognize the spiritual foundation of marriage as an authorized union between a man and a woman.

Some claim that as long as religious ministers are not forced to preside over same-sex “marriages” the principle of religious freedom, as secured in the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment is protected. However, the notion that the exercise of religious freedom is confined to the interior of churches, synagogues, temples or mosques or what one does on Holy Days is wrong and dangerous. The freedom of religion also extends to the ministries of religious organizations and to the individual conscience. Thus, the real peril: if marriage is redefined in civil law, individuals and religious organizations – regardless of deeply held beliefs – will be compelled to treat same-sex unions as the equivalent of marriage in their lives, ministries and operations. Compulsion of this nature is a violation of personal conscience and of religious liberty.

We implore all people of good will to protect marriage and religious freedom. The far-reaching consequences of redefining marriage in civil law extend throughout society and will directly impact religious freedom. Marriage and religious freedom are ideals integral to Illinois, and our elected leaders should do all they can to maintain these important principles.

Sincerely,

Most Reverend Edward K. Braxton
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Belleville

Representing 127 parishes

Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago
Representing 99 Friday prayer locations & Masjids

Reverend Dan P. Gilbert
President, Northern Illinois District, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Representing 220 congregations

Most Reverend David J. Malloy
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Rockford

Representing 105 parishes

Most Reverend R. Daniel Conlon
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet

Representing 120 parishes

Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.
Archbishop of Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago

Representing 356 parishes

Most Reverend Daniel R. Jenky, C.S.C.

Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Peoria

Representing 162 parishes

Reverend Mark A. Miller
President, Central Illinois District, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Representing 160 congregations

The Right Reverend Juan Alberto Morales, OSB

Bishop of Quincy, Diocese of Quincy, Anglican Church in North America

Representing 26 churches

Most Reverend Thomas John Paprocki
Bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Springfield-in-IL

Representing 130 parishes

Elder Jack Ward
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Representing 127 congregations

The Right Reverend Wesley L. Nolden II

Assistant Bishop of Quincy, Diocese of Quincy Anglican Church in North America

Representing 26 churches

Reverend Timothy J. Scharr
President, Southern Illinois District, The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

Representing 95 congregations

Pastors and members of the following churches also support this letter:

Generational Blessings Flossmoor, IL

Philadelphia Missionary Baptist Chicago, IL
Grace Temple Holiness Church Chicago, IL
Total Christian Life Ministry Joliet, IL
Empowerment Christian Center Chicago, IL
Sacred Mountain International Christian Center Chicago, IL
Evangelical Free Church of Sycamore Sycamore, IL
The Purchased Church of God Chicago, IL
NuWine Ministries Westchester, IL
Deliverance Outreach Center Chicago, IL
Montrose Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Rock of Ages Baptist Church Maywood, IL
Immanuel United Church of Christ Peotone, IL
Living Hope Missionary Baptist Chicago, IL
Bibleway Ministries Barrington, IL
The Father’s House Zion Church of God Zion, IL
Christian Life Church Mt. Prospect, IL
Darion Ministries Oak Park, IL
Word of Grace Church Chicago, IL
Living Waters Presbyterian Church Addison, IL
Chicagoland Church of God Lincolnwood, IL
Grace & Truth Apostolic Church Evanston, IL
Polish Evangelical Fellowship Chicago, IL
Grace for Life Bible Church Naperville, IL
Empowerment Christian Center Chicago, IL
Storm of the Spirit Church Chicago, IL
Evangelical Free Church Crystal Lake, IL
Tree of Life Outreach Ministries Chicago, IL

Hopewell Primitive Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Pathway Christian Fellowship Shorewood, IL
Prince of Peace Baptist Church Chicago, IL
First Baptist of Marengo Marengo, IL
Park Place Baptist Church Montgomery, IL
New Life Ministries Oak Park, IL
Covenant Chapel Baptist Church Chicago, IL
H.E.L.P.S. Ministry St. Charles, IL
New Life Deliverance Church Chicago, IL
Greater Damascus Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Outreach Fellowship Christian Center East Dundee, IL
Life Changing International Ministries Chicago, IL
Bethesda Worship Center Des Plaines, IL
Christ Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church Chicago, IL
Worth Church of the Nazarene Worth, IL
Peace of God Outreach Waukegan, IL
Hosanna! Lutheran Church, LCMC St. Charles, IL
Christian Tabernacle Church Roselle, IL
Alpha Baptist Church Bolingbrook, IL
Jesus Word Center Chicago, IL
Jesus Journey Church Bartlett, IL

True Witness Deliverance Ministries Calumet City, IL
Living Word Christian Center Chicago, IL
Cross & Crown Chicago, IL
Grace Chinese Christian Church Skokie, IL
Fox Valley Church of God Geneva, IL
Lively Hope Church of God in Christ Joliet, IL
First Saint Peter All Nation Church Chicago, IL

Marriage = Man + Woman

1 Man + 1 Woman = MARRIAGE

• Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. [Genesis 2:24]
• Because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. [1 Corinthians 7:2]
• Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of his body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. [Ephesians 5:25-33]

1 Man + 1 Man = SIN   and   1 Woman + 1 Woman = SIN

• 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 men who practice homosexuality ... will inherit the kingdom of God. [1 Corinthians 6:9-10]
• The law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for ... the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, ... and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. [1 Timothy 1:9-11]

Christ and the Church: Foundational to Marriage

On Sunday, Cardinal George posted an article entitled Reflections on “Chicago values” on the Catholic Chicago Blog (hosted by the Archdiocese of Chicago). I commend him for this well-written article, hope you will take the time to read it, and pray it will spark some informed conversation on this topic.

However, there is one statement I wish he would reconsider:

“The Church, because Jesus raised the marital union to the level of symbolizing his own union with his Body the Church, has an interest in determining which marital unions are sacramental and which are not.”

The Church indeed has an interest in marriage. After all, God instituted and sanctions it. But Jesus did not raise the marital union to the level of symbolizing His own union with the Church. Just the opposite. The union of man and woman was, from the very beginning, a reflection of Christ and His bride (the Church). The Church existed the moment man and woman were created. There was the Son of God with His bride. Then God joined the first man and first woman together, and their union reflected that of the Son of God and His bride.

This is why Saint Paul writes:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. [Ephesians 1:3-4]

Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, His body, and is Himself its Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her, that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church, because we are members of His body. “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. [Ephesians 5:31-32]

The first passage reminds us that God chose us—the Church—in Christ before the foundation of the world (i.e. before He brought the first man and first woman together). The second passage reminds us that the relationship of man and woman in holy matrimony is based on the relationship of Christ and His bride (the Church). It is not the other way around.

The relationship of Christ and His bride is foundational. The relationship of husband and wife is simply a reflection of that.

Christ—the Son of God—became man. The Church is woman. And God the Father has joined these two together as one. That is why marriage is exclusively between one man and one woman.

Cravin’ Chicken

The intolerance police are at it again. A Chicago alderman and the mayors of Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco are threatening to ban Chick-fil-A from opening restaurants in their ward/cities. Not because Chick-fil-A is discriminating in their hiring or serving practices, but because the company president personally opposes gay marriage. That, they say, is intolerant.

Intolerance, to these politicians, happens whenever someone holds a viewpoint different from their own. But denying a business entrance into one’s ward/city, that’s the epitome of tolerance!

You can read more about this fiasco at the links below:

• The American Conservative
• National Review
• Rush Limbaugh

As for me, I’m going to make the 15-mile drive up to the nearest Chick-fil-A this week and enjoy lunch. And when the new Chick-fil-A opens in Bolingbrook in the near future, I plan to eat there more often. Why? Because I’m tolerant of personal viewpoints. Oh, yeah, I also like really good chicken sandwiches!

The Very Opposite of Love

The Golden Rule. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. “Love your neighbor as yourself.” These words are a summary of the Second Table of the Law and God’s will for His people. Though we cannot fulfill these words as God demands, Christ fulfills them for us and gives us His perfect righteousness as a free gift in Word and Sacrament.

Sadly, many in our culture twist these words and pervert their true meaning. Loving your neighbor does not entail tolerating his sin or accepting his ungodly lifestyle. That is the very opposite of love.

Yet, President Obama would have us believe that the Golden Rule is the foundation for his recent announcement that he thinks same-sex couples should be able to get married:

“This is something that, you know, [Michelle and I have] talked about over the years and she, you know, she feels the same way, she feels the same way that I do. And that is that, in the end the values that I care most deeply about and she cares most deeply about is how we treat other people and, you know, I, you know, we are both practicing Christians and obviously this position may be considered to put us at odds with the views of others but, you know, when we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated…”

When the adulterous woman is brought to Jesus, what does He do and say? First, He forgives her. “Neither do I condemn you.” Then, He reminds her what the life of faith (i.e. living in Christ’s forgiveness) entails: “Go, and from now on sin no more.” Not “keep on committing adultery” but “sin no more.” Love does not tolerate or accept sin. On the contrary. It points others to Jesus Christ—His love, His forgiveness, His life, His salvation—where the Old Adam (the sinful nature) is drowned and dies and the New Man (Christ in us) emerges and arises to live before God in righteousness and purity forever.

Sorry, Mr. President. Tolerating and accepting sin is the very opposite of love. Instead, urge those caught up in this sinful lifestyle to repent and look to Christ for full and free forgiveness. In Him is perfect love. And isn’t that what this country so desperately needs to hear?!

Divorce

One of the greatest evils plaguing our society is divorce. Divorce destroys what God has joined together, tears apart families, isolates and damages children, and gives license to the self-seeking nature inside every one of us.

No marriage is perfect. Because every husband and every wife without exception is a sinner, each needs to ask forgiveness and speak forgiveness daily. In order for husbands and wives to have this forgiveness to speak to each other, they must constantly be on the receiving end of God’s forgiveness in Jesus Christ, distributed in Word and Sacrament. Since God forgives us freely, fully, and unconditionally in Christ, we too sincerely forgive and gladly do good to those who sin against us. Sadly, most divorces are caused by the unwillingness of either one or both spouses to forgive the other. That is downright sinful.

Marriage, according to God’s Word, is the lifelong commitment of one man and one woman. God is the one who joins husband and wife together. And no one is to separate what God has joined together. Some will argue: God allows divorce in a few narrowly defined circumstances (i.e. adultery, desertion). Yes, that is true. But only because of the hardness of man’s heart, says Jesus. Whatever the problems, God wants husband and wife to be reconciled with one another. Always!

Let’s be honest. Most divorces are for sinful, selfish reasons, no matter how pious the justification seems. Here is a sampling of the most common false justifications:

• I no longer love him/her.
• I love someone else.
• We cannot reconcile our differences.
• We grew apart.
• We seem happier when we’re apart.
• God wants me to be happy, and I’m not happy in this marriage.

If that is what you think, get over yourself. Get down on your knees and seek the Lord while He may be found. Confess the many things you have said and done, as well as the many things you have failed to say and do, that have contributed to the difficulties in your marriage. And then, after having received God’s forgiveness in Christ, speak that same forgiveness to your less-than-perfect spouse.

A marriage patterned after the relationship of Christ and His bride (the Church), and built on mutual commitment, mutual forgiveness, and mutual self-giving, is a happy marriage. This is true in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad.

If you’ve lost sight of that, it can be found again. Indeed, it must be found again. Talk to your spouse. Ask forgiveness. Speak forgiveness. Take it to the Lord in prayer. Solicit your pastor’s help and guidance. And be found regularly and faithfully on the receiving end of Christ’s Word and Supper. It may be a difficult journey back to a happy marriage, but it is well worth the time and effort, the forgiveness and patience necessary to make it happen. By God’s grace, be reconciled in Christ!

“Let marriage be held in honor among all.”

[Hebrews 13:4]

Cohabitation: The Lie

The following video is a funny, albeit sad, commentary on the selfishness, lies, and idolatry wrapped up in cohabitation.

Dating and Marriage

Below is a 20-minute video put together by the Rev. Jonathan Fisk, an LCMS pastor, who discusses dating, marriage, and family life. He addresses a number of questions and will certainly give you something to think about when it comes to your own children and grandchildren.

Check out Pastor Fisk’s website www.worldvieweverlasting.com for more theological food!

Three Kinds of Love

God makes distinctions between the different kinds of love, and shows that the love of a man and woman is (or should be) the greatest and purest of all loves. For He says, “A man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife” [Gen. 2:24]. ... Now there are three kinds of love: false love, natural love, and married love. False love is that which seeks its own, as a man loves money, possessions, honor, and women taken outside of marriage and against God’s command. Natural love is that between father and child, brother and sister, friend and relative, and similar relationships. But over and above all these is married love, that is, a bride’s love, which glows like a fire and desires nothing but the husband. ... All other kinds of love seek something other than the loved one: this kind wants only to have the beloved’s own self completely.

Martin Luther
“A Sermon on the Estate of Marriage”
Luther’s Works, vol. 44, pp. 8-9

The Protection of Marriage: A Shared Commitment

On Monday, 6 December 2010, the following letter was released by religious leaders to promote and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. I am thankful that the President of my own church body, the LCMS, signed this letter. PDF versions for downloading and printing are available here.

Dear Friends,

Marriage is the permanent and faithful union of one man and one woman. As such, marriage is the natural basis of the family. Marriage is an institution fundamental to the well-being of all of society, not just religious communities.

As religious leaders across different faith communities, we join together and affirm our shared commitment to promote and protect marriage as the union of one man and one woman. We honor the unique love between husbands and wives; the indispensable place of fathers and mothers; and the corresponding rights and dignity of all children.

Marriage thus defined is a great good in itself, and it also serves the good of others and society in innumerable ways. The preservation of the unique meaning of marriage is not a special or limited interest but serves the good of all. Therefore, we invite and encourage all people, both within and beyond our faith communities, to stand with us in promoting and protecting marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Sincerely yours,

Leith Anderson
President
National Association of Evangelicals

Dr. Thomas E. Armiger
Dr. Jo Anne Lyon
Dr. Jerry G. Pence
The Board of General Superintendents
The Wesleyan Church

Dr. Gary M. Benedict
President
The Christian and Missionary Alliance

Glenn C. Burris Jr.
President
The Foursquare Church

Bishop H. David Burton
Presiding Bishop
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Dr. Ronald W. Carpenter, Sr.
Presiding Bishop
International Pentecostal Holiness Church Ministries

Nathan Diament
Director, Institute for Public Affairs
Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America

Most Rev. Timothy M. Dolan
Archbishop of New York
President
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops

The Most Rev. Robert Duncan
Archbishop, Anglican Church in North America
Bishop, Anglican Diocese of Pittsburgh

Rev. Jim Eschenbrenner
Executive Pastor
Christian Union

Rev. Dr. Stephen A. Gammon
Conference Minister
Conservative Congregational Conference

Rev. Matthew C. Harrison
President
The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod

John Hopler
Director
Great Commission Churches

Dr. Clyde M. Hughes
Bishop
International Pentecostal Church of Christ

Ken Hunn
Executive Director
The Brethren Church

Bishop Harry Jackson
Senior Pastor, Hope Christian Church
Bishop, Fellowship of International Churches

The Most Blessed Jonah
Archbishop of Washington
Metropolitan of All America and Canada
Orthodox Church in America

Dr. Richard Land
President
Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission

Rev. Frederick J. Moury Jr.
National Conference Chair
Evangelical Congregational Church

Dr. James Murray
Interim Executive Director
General Association of General Baptists

Rev. Samuel Rodriguez
President
National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference

Manmohan Singh
Secretary General
World Sikh Council – America Region

The Rev. Paull E. Spring
Bishop
North American Lutheran Church

Dr. Joseph Tkach
President
Grace Communion International

Rev. Phil Whipple
Bishop
Church of the United Brethren in Christ, USA

Dr. George O. Wood
General Superintendent
Assemblies of God

Man Has to Control Himself

The whole basis and essence of marriage is that each gives himself or herself to the other, and they promise to remain faithful to each other and not give themselves to any other. By binding themselves to each other, and surrendering themselves to each other, the way is barred to the body of anyone else, and they content themselves in the marriage bed with their one companion. In this way God sees to it that the flesh is subdued so as not to rage wherever and however it pleases, and, within this plighted troth, permits even more occasion than is necessary for the begetting of children. But, of course, a man has to control himself and not make a filthy sow’s sty of his marriage.

Martin Luther
“A Sermon on the Estate of Marriage”
Luther’s Works, vol. 44, pp. 10-11