Category Archives: Church & Politics

The Politics of Gay Marriage (God gave them up, Part 2)

Richard P. Hays explains the theology of Rom 1 in more detail — Homosexual activity, then, is not a provocation of “the wrath of God” (Rom. 1: 18); rather, it is a consequence of God’s decision to “give up” rebellious … Continue reading

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The Politics of Gay Marriage (God gave them up, Part 1)

I always get in trouble when I make this argument (like that’s anything different), but I’ve yet to hear a counter-argument other than “I don’t like this result.” I don’t like it either. But it is what it is. In … Continue reading

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The Politics of Gay Marriage (Powers, Part 2)

So what is the Christian to do with these powers, rulers, and authorities? Serve them or defeat them? Richard Beck offers a third alternative based on his reading of Hendrik Berkhof’s Christ and the Powers (translated by John Howard Yoder). To … Continue reading

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The Politics of Gay Marriage (Powers, Part 1)

This brings us to the obscure but important NT teachings on principalities and powers. (Rom. 8:37-39 ESV)  37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.  38 For I am sure that neither … Continue reading

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The Politics of Gay Marriage (Exiles)

A major theme of 1 Peter is that Christians are “exiles.” (1 Pet. 1:1-2 ESV)  Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who are elect exiles of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,  2 according to … Continue reading

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The Politics of Gay Marriage (Citizens of heaven)

Next, we need to consider some teachings of the Bible that we tend to ignore. You won’t find many sermon outlines based on these passages in Church of Christ sermon books — or in evangelical literature generally. We begin with … Continue reading

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The Politics of Gay Marriage (Framing Observations)

I wrote a series of extended comments regarding the politics of gay marriage in response to multiple questions from the readers. I’ve re-written them a bit. We need to begin with some framing statements regarding God and humanity. I believe … Continue reading

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Homosexuality: If Gay Marriage is Contrary to God’s Will, Shouldn’t It Be Illegal? Part 3

Some principles 1. The United States is not a theocracy and not the Kingdom. Although Rome had been a republic governed by a senate for many years, by the time of Jesus and his apostles, Rome was an empire ruled … Continue reading

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Homosexuality: If Gay Marriage is Contrary to God’s Will, Shouldn’t It Be Illegal? Part 2

The government seen positively Well, even though I’m a lawyer, I took no political science classes. (Math major. Ask me about cosines sometime.) And the Bible does not give a complete theology of good government. But it does speak of … Continue reading

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Homosexuality: If Gay Marriage is Contrary to God’s Will, Shouldn’t It Be Illegal? Part 1

Remember: my goal is not to provide a final, definitive answer. My goal is to lay out some principles that must be considered to reach a final, definitive answer. As always, the readers are invited to discuss, and maybe even … Continue reading

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