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A Christian case for gay marriage |
| Excerpted from "Another Christian
Perspective on ‘Homosexuality and the Church,'"
Reformed Review
Synopsis of What God has Joined Together? A Christian Case for Gay
Marriage
by David G. Myers
In our nine short chapters and an appendix, Letha Dawson
Scanzoni and I derive these ten conclusions:
 | Our Reformed and ever-reforming faith tradition beckons
us, with open minds, to discern and reconcile the truth in God's word and
God's works.
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| All humans have a deep "need to belong"—to connect with
others in close, intimate, enduring relationships.
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| As an important example of such relationships, marriage
contributes to flourishing lives—to happier and healthier adults, and
thriving children.
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| Toxic forces, especially radical individualism and the
media modeling of impulsive sexuality, are corroding marriage and the
health of communities. |
| Sexual orientation is a natural (largely biologically
influenced) disposition, most clearly so for men.
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| Sexual orientation is also an enduring disposition,
which is seldom reversed by willpower, reparative therapy, or ex-gay
ministry.
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| Out of 31,103 Bible verses, only seven frequently
quoted verses speak directly of same-sex behavior—and often in the context
of idolatry, promiscuity, adultery, child exploitation, or violence. We
infer that the Bible has nothing to say about an enduring sexual
orientation (a modern concept) or about loving, long-term same-sex
partnerships. (One of our goals was to familiarize readers with biblical
scholarship that offers alternative interpretations to the familiar
proof-texts used against gay and lesbian people.)
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| The creation stories focus on human companionship, on
the importance of relationship and the formation of new kinship units
(most of which will be heterosexual, but some of which, we now realize,
may be homosexual).
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| A Christian case for gay marriage arises from the human
need to belong, from the biblical mandate for justice, from the benefits
of a culture-wide norm of monogamy, and from a refutation of popular
arguments against gay marriage.
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| Although not part of our argument (and therefore in an
appendix) we also note—for those who may wonder how history likely will
judge us—that attitudes on this sexual issue are rapidly changing, and
becoming more accepting of gay rights and relationships. Moreover, there
is a large generation gap, with most older adults opposing gay marriage
and most younger adults supporting it. Given that the forces driving the
attitude changes are likely to continue, and given generational
succession, it appears that the culture war over gay marriage and gay
ordination will gradually be resolved in the years to come, much as were
previous culture wars over minority and women's rights. |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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