On Politics and Marriage

Marriage changed in Minnesota in the last week, or so it is thought. Is marriage something God gave or is it something we created? Or is this something of a joint project, Divine and human?

My understanding is that when two people consummate a sexual act, God creates an emotional bond between them that is called marriage,  but the marriage is like a newborn baby. It will require many years of growth  in a protected environment to reach its potential.  The purpose of the marriage ceremony is to enable the community to  welcome, affirm, and protect the marriage for success. A marriage merges the identities of two families  into one new reality that did not exist before, and this requires some major adjustments on all sides that need to be anticipated and prepared.  According to this scheme God creates the marriage, the community protects and nurtures the marriage, and the couple live the marriage. Community and couple each have their role in shaping marriage, but God has made it to be what it is.

In light of this then, we must declare the state has neither the power to establish a marriage, dissolve a marriage, regulate, or define marriage.  We have sinned in giving it such authority, especially as regards divorce. Until now in our country the state has openly recognized the declaration of marriage conducted by the clergy in a religious setting, while the church (except for the Catholic Church) has tacitly recognized the dissolution of marriage administered by the state. Isn’t this absurd? If a marriage is dissolved, shouldn’t the formalities take place by the same authority as the one initiating the relationship. Jesus said, “What God put together, let no one take apart.” There is not special authority granted the government to do otherwise.

Satan’s most effective lies come immersed in a bucket of truth. The dignity of the individual and the need for respect and fair treatment is clearly the truth. The complicity of Christians in the practice of disdain for homosexuals must be repented of. Still we can be sure that what God has established for marriage will stand.  Let there be two kinds of marriage in our country as there are in most of Latin America–a state ceremony and a church ceremony. I suggest that a pastor can not and ought not be an agent of the state in this matter. Let the  secular state and its definitions stand or fall on their own merit apart from God. Time will reveal God’s truth for all those with eyes to see and ears to hear.

Watch my blog.. I have previously written on the nature and meaning of marriage (published here on 8/28/2012). Next time I hope to say more on the nature and meaning of family.