Gay Pride
Author's' Note: This article was rejected by our local paper because "your column alienates a community within our readership, and just general population." I was invited to submit a letter to the editor instead. That letter is immediately below with the article after that.
No Shame
My monthly article was declined by this paper and I was invited to write a letter to the editor instead. Consequently, I must be brief. Like many others, our local government seems to assert that they are speaking for our entire community by flying a flag in their courtyard that celebrates a certain view of human sexuality. There are many Oswego citizens who respectfully disagree with that action and message, and endeavor to love our neighbors by speaking the truth that leads to human flourishing. We vehemently repudiate angry, violent protests in these matters – from all sides - and, instead, simply give our testimony to the truth with humble, quiet words. When Jesus was asked about the morality of divorce, He said, “from the beginning, it was not so”. Ethics start at the beginning and are rooted in the original nature of things. From the beginning, mankind’s sexual union was human, heterosexual, monogamous and covenanted. The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. This is the true pride that should be celebrated and promoted. If you would like to receive the article, please request it at rpcfulton@gmail.com.
Like many others, our local government seems to assert that they are speaking for our entire community by flying a flag in their courtyard that celebrates a certain view of human sexuality. There are many Oswego citizens who respectfully disagree with that action and message, and endeavor to love our neighbors by speaking the truth that leads to human flourishing. We vehemently repudiate angry, violent protests in these matters – from all sides - and, instead, simply give our testimony to the truth with humble, quiet words.
Ethics, including sexual ethics, begin at the beginning. They are rooted in creation and therefore are true, valid and applicable for every human being. When Jesus was asked about the morality of divorce, He said, “from the beginning, it was not so”. The Apostle Paul also takes us back to the beginning, asserting that morality depends on seeing the Creator in His creation. Like the foundational documents of our nation, Paul takes this truth to be self-evident, neither needing nor capable of proof. Only those with ears to hear can appreciate Mozart and only those with eyes to see can delight in Rembrandt. Likewise, only those who are enlightened by the Holy Spirit can see God in His works and hear God in His words. It is not a matter of intelligence or education. There are believers and unbelievers among both the intellectually brilliant and educated as also among the mentally dim and unlearned. It is a matter of the gift of God which anyone may request and receive.
Those who are spiritually dead, blind and deaf deny what is self-evident in creation, dishonor God with their ingratitude and, instead, exalt and congratulate themselves in their endlessly evolving speculations. They reject the One, True and Living God and accept a pluralistic host of ultimate goods. Given that man is made in the image of God, they consequently also deny what is self-evident in man and invent a confused and multiplying cast of humanities.
In the beginning, it was not so. One God created all things including a particular creature, the human being. He made the human in His own likeness, namely, in righteousness and holiness of the truth with delegated and accountable dominion over the creatures. In further detail, the female human was created out of the male human (not co-evolved with) for the purpose of mutually nurturing companionship and family. In this union, the male and female with their children image the Persons and Relationships of God. God gave the female to the male who embraced her in formal, mutual covenant and reciprocal, sexual union. From the beginning, mankind’s sexual union was human, heterosexual, monogamous and covenanted. The man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. This is the true pride that should be celebrated and promoted.
Tragically, man rebelled against God. The primary result of this rebellion is profound alienation and disaffection from God. With this comes sexual disaffection between male and female such that we withdraw from one another and even harm each other. Another result is sexual affection without covenant (pre-marital) and, especially, against covenant (adultery). Further results are sexual affection between males, between females and with animals. God prohibits all these things in his specially revealed law because from the beginning none of these things was so and, as such, all of these things dishonor Him and destroy His human image-bearers. His law is rooted in His creation and applies to all for His glory and their good.
In God’s abundant grace and mercy, He sent His Son, Jesus, to accomplish the forgiveness of our sins and death, and the gift of His righteousness and life, thereby restoring us to intimate communion with Him. With this reconciliation to God, Jesus also begins to restore our image-bearing humanity including our sexuality. He restores our sexuality to the way it was in the beginning: human, heterosexual, monogamous, and covenanted. We struggle against the temptation and sin that remains in us and in the world, but the Holy Spirit gives us sexual life in Christ out of our sexual death in sin, and then works in us increasing enjoyment of these things until they are perfected at the day of Christ’s coming. At that time, the new creation will be perfected and the shadow of human sexuality will be subsumed in the brilliant consummation of the covenanted relationship between Christ and His Bride, the Church.
For all those who are weary under the brokenness of sin, including sexual brokenness, Christ invites you to come to Him where He promises you rest including sexual wholeness. The Christian life is not easy but it is good as we grow in conformity to the perfect humanity of Christ. If these things make sense to you or if you are moved to seek wholeness in Christ, please contact us at rpcfulton@gmail.com.
