March 26, 2004

          In the past several months we have witnessed a tremendous surge in the tides of cultural conflict as local entities and some state judicial systems face off with those of us who defend the Biblical definition of marriage.

          “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” Genesis1:27.  “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” Genesis 2:24.

          Even some denominations are being caught up in this systemic typhoon with two very different-minded factions emerging.  One side claims to be “in step” with the times and proposes that they are in keeping of the “spirit” of the Law if not the “letter.”  The other claims that the Bible is authoritative for not only warm-fuzzy words of encouragement but also for living life at large, even to the extent of shaping our society’s morals and laws.

          The implications of this debate are astonishing.  Indeed, it is evidence of the plummeting of our social conscience that it is even being debated at all in various government levels and certainly within “spiritual” organizations.

          Please be aware that the Scriptures in the Bible very clearly describe certain kinds of sexual relationships as unacceptable… extra-marital, incestuous and others (Leviticus 18:1-30)… not to mention homosexual (Leviticus 18:22).

For those who say that such commandments were shaped by the moralities of the day in which they were written so that the prudishness of the people might be appeased, keep in mind that God gave these commandments to a people who had not yet really ever heard such teachings.  Prior to the giving of these commandments and even as they migrated north through the Canaanitic tribes, they were surrounded by people who “saw nothing wrong with it.” 

But the Lord had called them out of the immorality of the world to walk with Him in a new kind of life… characterized by His holiness.

          For those who believe that such commandments were given at a time when God was still administrating Law and not His grace (and that, somehow, He just winks at it now as if it’s no big deal), consider that unrepentant homosexuality is described after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension as a sign of someone who is not interested in walking with God on God’s terms (Romans 1:26-27) and has been given over to his natural mind.  Truly, this is merely the bitter fruit of “exchanging the truth of God for a lie, and worshipping and serving created things rather than the Creator – Who is forever praised” (Romans 1:25).

          Please let us understand the horrific implications here.  What is really in question is the authority of the Bible….  Is it or is it not God’s Word?  If these passages can be cut out and said to be totally irrelevant to our society and individual needs, than the whole of Scripture has just been lost to us.  If those passages are suddenly unreliable, the meaningfulness of all the rest of the Bible has been destroyed.

          When we look at parts of it we don’t like and say, “that doesn’t really apply to our society today”, it is a terrible hypocrisy to then say, “Oh, the Bible is just so encouraging to me.”  “Pick-and-Choose” theology is a poison that may spread slowly throughout the body of God’s church, but it is a poison nonetheless and it only brings death.

          I am not personally a fan of controversy for the sake of controversy, but I am very interested in people knowing that God’s Word has relevance for them… for their spiritual destiny, for their present pilgrimage, for the relieving of the burden of their past and the bestowing of hope and freedom for their future.  Because I am so interested in it, I seek to admonish people to take to heart what God has to say instead of dwelling in the camp of spiritual denial.

          “Jesus loves me.  This I know… for the Bible tells me so.”  He gave us His Son for you and me to receive His gift of forgiveness and life through faith.  He gave us His Word so that we might understand what it is He plans to accomplish in the world and in our lives.  If you or I dare to take pot-shots at parts of His message that “don’t fit the times”, we’re putting holes in the whole message and we’ve sacrificed our only hope on the altar of Self.

          “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

(Thom Mollohan has ministered in southern Ohio the past eight years and is currently the pastor of Pathway Community Church.   He and his wife are the parents of three children.   He may be reached by email at pastorthom@pathwaygallipolis.com).