It is an attempt to summarize to Christians why I have taken the position I have with regard to the Marriage Protection Amendment (that I am in favor of it and voted “for” it).

I have observed the debate taking place on the internet with regard to the Marriage Protection Amendment – to include seeing see those I love in the Lord (and who I know have a deep and genuine love for God) advocate for what I view to be the wrong side on this issue. Not wrong based on John’s opinion, but wrong based on the clear teaching of Scripture (and, to a lesser degree, the principles that have historically guided us as a nation, and “wrong” in terms of the unawareness on the part of fellow Christians as to the true nature of the battle that is going on with regard to the moral direction of this nation).

Marriage is presented in Scripture as a lifelong commitment; however, because of the reality of sin in the world, the Bible allows divorce in the case of adultery or desertion. It also allows remarriage to another person in such cases.

If we believe this (that God intended marriage to be a lifelong commitment, except in cases of serious defilement of the marriage), then laws should protect marriage by protecting spouses and children from both abandonment and harm.

It would not be inappropriate for the civil government to require (1) marriage counseling and significant mandatory waiting periods prior to divorce, (2) to eliminate “no-fault divorce” [which makes divorce far too easy], as well as (3) enact serious penalties for physical abuse and (4) strict reinforcement of the obligations of financial support.

As Christians, we understand that among the most important purposes of civil government (according to the Bible [Romans 13; 1 Peter 2]) is to restrain evil, to bring good to a society, and to bring order to a society.

Therefore, for government to define, regulate, and protect marriage as an institution between “one man and one woman” (as defined in Scripture) is something that (we should recognize) is morally right in God’s eyes.

In addition, the consensus of nations all over the world, from all of history, is that the society as a whole, through its governing authorities, needs to define and regulate marriage for all its citizens. For the health and flourishing of the society, that definition should be as close to the biblical standard as possible.

There was a time (not too long ago) that Christians would say, “We believe everything civil society believes about the basic structure of marriage, but we believe more than that – we believe it fits into a larger gospel structure and has a larger Scriptural context (that it communicates something of God’s nature and character).”

Now, in certain states, districts, and nations, the confessing church is being forced to say, “We cannot say what certain civil governments now say about marriage; we need to say something that is radically different.”

The Marriage Protection Amendment is not redundant. Without an amendment in our Constitution, activist judges can substitute their values for those of the people of North Carolina (as they did in Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and California).

A radical (or politically-pressured) state legislature could also redefine marriage, without the permission or vote of the people (as in New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire). In light of recent decisions and rulings, it is simply incorrect to say Amendment One is unnecessary or redundant.

As far as the state having one definition of marriage and the church having another: a society cannot have two definitions of marriage. Under the law, one definition of marriage could not exist alongside the other.

Once the judiciary or legislature adopts “the union of any two persons” as the legal definition of civil marriage, that concept becomes the sole definition for the only law-sanctioned marriage that a couple can enter.

Legally-sanctioned, “gender-less” marriage, rather than peacefully coexisting with the traditional understanding of marriage (as “the union of one man and one woman”), will actually displace and replace it (which is the ultiamte goal of those opposed to traditional marriage).

Christians should attempt to persuade people that the moral standards presented in Scripture are right and beneficial to society. This is not “imposing our values”on others. In a free society, we should have the right to attempt to persuade others to agree or disagree with our views.

The Bible presents a clear standard of marriage, not merely a “Christian standard,” but the standard that comes from the one true God and the Creator of the universe. We know that His truth will be this standard to which all people will be held accountable. The world denies this reality, but we know it, and it must inform our political action, if we are to obey the commandment “to love one another.”

Personally, it saddens me that Christians, when given the opportunity to protect the historic (and biblical) definition of marriage have been so easily dissuaded by the arguments of those opposed to this amendment proposition.

As Christians, we should know the radical agenda behind so many of these attempts to undermine our society (through the opposition to biblical morally – or any objective standard) and do all within our power as citizens (and Christians) to stop it.

“Righteous exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people” (Proverbs 14:34).

Supplements To Sunday’s Message

I wanted to make the following documents available to all members of Living Way Church. It is so important to me that all of you are in a position to make an informed decision with regard to the Marriage Protection Amendment.

These three documents are in addition to (and different from) the two “hard copy” documents contained in the Sunday April 29 church bulletin.

Please take the time to read through them, as you prepare to vote in our state’s primary.

Thank you,

John

Marriage in Society’s Moral Crosshairs

Questions and Responses to Marriage Amendment

10 Reasons to Protect Marriage in North Carolina

Responding to the Opposition

I have had the opportunity to research the debate surrounding the Marriage Protection Amendment.

It seeks to elevate current state law (defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman) to the level of a constitutional amendment; thereby, protecting marriage from redefinition by the courts or the legislature, against the will of the people.

Opposition to this amendment (and to its supporters) has been intense.

Serious allegations have been made against this amendment. Are they true? Or are North Carolinians being misinformed and misled?

Given the importance of this issue, I would like to encourage you to please take the time to read through this document. I will also be posting original source documents in my next post.

May God richly bless you,

John

Our Biblical Studies Program will be starting this very important class on April 16th. It is designed to get Christians better informed on the subject of Politics as understood in the light of God’s Word.

Ever wonder how politics and faith are supposed to look for Bible believing Christians?

Join us for a six-week course offered through LWC’s Biblical Studies Program on politics and the Bible.

The first class starts next Monday night, April 16th, at 7:00 PM. Contact the church office to register!