God also designed churches to have shared leadership between men and women.
When men seek to rule over women and to keep gifted Christian females from shared leadership in the church, then church practice, church accommodation, and church outcomes are similar to those of same-sex marital unions.
In other words, there are striking similarities between same-sex leadership in churches and same-sex marriages in culture. I'll share those similarities in a moment.
Speaking the truth in love never means I can't be friends with those who disagree with the truth I speak. "Jesus was a friend of sinners" (Luke 7:34). I usually find that when friendships end, it's not because God's people can't love sinners. Rather, those doing something contrary to God's design don't like to be labeled "sinners."
I'm quite comfortable being any sinner's friend. My sins may be different from yours, but I trust that when you discover them, you can be my friend too!
Love is the mark of real Christianity (John 13:35). All of us are called to "speak the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15). So, here goes my attempt to speak the truth in love.
The only proof needed that same sex marriage unions are "sin" - that is, contrary to God's design - is biological proof.
Two men can't procreate children. Two women can't procreate children.
It takes both a man and a woman to have a marriage the way God designs it.
Of course, two men can love each other. That's friendship, not marriage. Two women can love each other. That also is friendship, not marriage. Same-sex couples can even pleasure themselves sexually, but they can't procreate. To have children, things must be done to accommodate the fact that same-sex unions are non-productive biologically.
God designed marriage to be between a man and a woman.
I'm not attempting to take away homosexual couples' civil rights in employment, nor their civil access to health insurance, nor even civil recognition of their homosexual marriage.
I'm quite comfortable to live in a land of liberty, where all citizens are free to pursue their happiness as they deem fit. Any religion that seeks submission by force is no religion from God.
The United States government isn't God. Our government hasn't the wisdom of God, the power of God, nor the eternality of God.
The U.S. government is designed to protect civil liberties, including the liberties of Christian men like me who call homosexual marriage a violation of God's design. My homosexual friends know that I love them. They'll never convince me homosexual marriage is designed by God. But on the other hand, it's never my desire to force them to live like me.
But what if a civilly recognized same-sex married couple seeks membership or leadership at the congregation of faith that I lead? Will they be able to become members and/or leaders at my church where we believe that a marriage union, as defined by God, is between one man and one woman?
No.
In the same manner that an adulterous man or woman doesn't have the privilege of leading others, a practicing same-sex couple doesn't have the privilege of leading others at our church. An attitude of "I'll do what I want no matter what God designs" disqualifies from both membership and leadership.
Same-Sex Church Leadership Is a Similar Sin to Same-Sex Marital Union
Christ describes leadership in His Kingdom by spiritual gifting, not sexual gender; by humble character, not hubris control; by graceful persuasion of argument, not any given position of authority.
Those who are older, both male and female (elders), who have exhibited the character of self-control, gentleness, love, and other qualities befitting a Christian leader (Titus 1:5-9) , are qualified to shepherd God's people. Note: The word translated "man" in Titus 1:6 is the Greek word 'tis' (anyone) not "arren" or "anr," the typical Greek words used for "man").
Women are called by God to share in leadership with men.
If your church leadership is all male, I propose to you that your men in leadership are battling the same sin in homosexual unions. Your church leaders are doing something contrary to God's design.
Now to the heart of the matter.
5 Striking Similarities Between Same-Sex Church Leadership and Homosexual Marriage
Each of the following similarities will be the subject of a post at a later time.
1. Both Selectively Use the Sacred Text.
Those who advocate same-sex marriage avoid texts that speak clearly about the unnatural nature of same-sex marriage (Romans 1:26-27). In a similar manner, those who advocate same-sex leadership in churches avoid texts that speak clearly about shared leadership in Christ's Kingdom (see this superb article by Marg Mowczko).
2. Both Separate Themselves from Those Who Disagree.
Those who advocate same-sex marriage separate from those who refuse to affirm their practice as normal and natural. In a similar manner, those Christian men who advocate same-sex leadership separate from those who refuse to affirm their practice of same-sex leadership as normal, natural, and biblical.
3. Both Reproduce with Surrogates, not Naturally
Those who advocate same-sex marriage can't have children without others' help. So too, those men who practice same-sex leadership can't grow a church without women's help - but they tell them it's best they not lead, just be a surrogate for their leadership; a reproduction of spiritual life that is as unnatural as the physical life which comes from a homosexual union.
4. Both Focus More on Comfortable Delights than the Creator's Designs
Those who advocate same-sex marriage think "God has to be behind something that feels so good," just like those who advocate same-sex leadership in churches think "God has to be behind our all-male elder board because we work so well together."
5. To Change Behavior, Both Must Subdue Personal Desires to God's Design.
There is personal pleasure, personal satisfaction, and personal delight in a homosexual union, just as there is among those involved in same-sex church leadership. It's always more comfortable to be in control and to rule over others than it is to follow the Spirit and let Him lead. God's design is for men and women to marry, and for gifted men and women to lead. To change behaviors, those comfortable living in same-sex union, as well as those comfortable living in same-sex leadership, must subdue personal desires to God's design.
13 comments:
To love the honor of God above all things,
yes, this is good.
https://youtu.be/gNB3KCSiSQo
Wade,
“…At that time God completely destroyed the whole world of ungodly men with the vast flood. Later, he turned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into heaps of ashes and blotted them off the face of the earth, making them an example for all the ungodly in the future to look back upon and fear.” (2 Peter 2:5-6 Living)
https://youtu.be/3GT-LfLpzzo
Wade,
How about doing a post on the Senate trial of President Trump? I didn’t know anyone could tell as many lies as Shift has said. He needs to be tarred, feathered, and escorted from the Senate on a pole.
What about Joe Biden? Besides his son being paid millions for a job he knew nothing about.
https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/15b-contract-in-iraq-for-bidens-little-brother-exposes-obama-ahead-of-debate
“Since November 2010, James Biden has been the executive vice president of Hill International’s housing subsidiary despite little if any documented work history in residential construction…The housing contract in Iraq is expected to generate $1.5 billion for James Biden…”
At our County Associating meeting tonight, I’d stapled together many copies of “Were Angels Watching”, “When is my daddy coming home”, and “Search for Red Flag”.
The Associating missionary past them out. He asked me to stand, but I declined.
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It would be unwise to admit members, about whom the Bible says to not even associate with them ... who live such a life and stlll call themselves Chriatians. Not even eat with them, in fact.
See 1 Corinthians 5 for details.
And the Scribes and Pharisees were complaining and they were saying, “This one receives sinners, and he eats with them.”
Interesting post Wade, as usual, and as usual I agree with most of what you have to say. However, I was surprised that you seem to suggest that a proper, God-ordained and approved marriage is defined by the ability to procreate. Indeed, you seem to suggest that this is the crux of the issue (as quoted below)
"The only proof needed that same sex marriage unions are "sin" - that is, contrary to God's design - is biological proof.
Two men can't procreate children. Two women can't procreate children.
It takes both a man and a woman to have a marriage the way God designs it."
Did I read this right? It seems like a Catholic idea, but incorrect on so many levels. Wadw, you have thought so carefully on the issue of woman in leadership and have (as you attest) found the truth. I am wondering if you have put the same thought into the definition of a marriage from a stringently Biblical perspective. I know lots of happily married (and I assume God-approved) men and women who cannot procreate for many reasons.
Doug,
Great point.
I wasn't clear.
God closes the womb and opens the womb as He sees fit, but I do believe that marriage is designed by God FOR procreation. I should have been clearer that sometimes God, in His providence, designs a specific marriage in such a way that procreation is impossible because He has closed the womb (either through the man or the woman).
Wade,
Excuse me, old friend, but God doesn’t “closes the womb and opens the womb as He sees fit.” We can’t blame God for everything bad such as:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_blindness
Google states:
“Conjoined twins are two babies who are born physically connected to each other. Conjoined twins develop when an early embryo only partially separates to form two individuals. Although two fetuses will develop from this embryo, they will remain physically connected — most often at the chest, abdomen or pelvis.”
“The drug thalidomide, which was taken by some pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s for morning sickness. At the time, doctors didn’t know that thalidomide was a teratogen, so a number of babies were born with missing or incompletely formed limbs.”
My niece was born without a thumb. Doctors ‘made a thumb’ by moving a finger. In practicing shooting free shots in basketball, she’s made 95 out of 100. She works through the International Commission in Lewisville that’s near Dallas. She visits churches and colleges seeking young people to go to foreign countries for a shot time and share their faith. They may have basketball tournaments or other activities.
Rex,
Are you blind? You read your comment on Wade’s blog twice, and it looked good to you. Not until you looked back at Judy’s correction where she circled “shot” did you realize you forgot to change it to ‘short’. Oh well, just living up to our nicknames that start with “F”; Judy’s is finder, and mine’s forgetter.
Thank goodness for Judy! :)
Wade, your blog brings me so much joy. Your teaching on the 'backwards' authority of the Kingdom is spot on and very encouraging. I love your glimpses into the cultures of the ancient world, exploring how things like Roman worship practices, Pharisaic traditions, and intertestamental conflict impact the bible and how we should interpret it. This post had me grinning. Peace, and keep up the excellence--the true Kingdom excellence that is incomprehensible to the Roman/worldly power- and privilege-based excellence.
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