In 2011, Metropolitan Community Church of Metro Baguio, a liberal, ecumenical church in the Philippines, held a same-sex wedding ceremony for ten couples. Since same-sex marriage is illegal in the city as well as in the country, they were declared null and void and cannot be registered in the civil registry of marriages. So the event was never discussed seriously, and was soon forgotten.
But that was then. Now, since the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision to legalize same-sex marriage in all states, the issue is getting more attention, especially from the liberal media, lawmakers, organizations, universities, and even churches.
The following is a proposed statement I wrote after the SC decision. This is still a work in progress, so comments from faithful churches and individuals are welcome.
Article 48 of the Church Order of the United Reformed Churches in North America (URCNA) states:
Scripture teaches that marriage is designed to be a lifelong, monogamous covenantal union between one man and one woman. Consistories shall instruct and admonish those under their spiritual care who are considering marriage to marry in the Lord. Christian marriages shall be solemnized with appropriate admonitions, promises, and prayers, under the regulation of the Consistory, with the use of the appropriate liturgical form. Ministers shall not solemnize marriages that conflict with the Word of God.
Therefore, in accordance with Article 48 above, we affirm the following principles on Marriage, Gender and Sexuality:
Marriage is Between One Man and One Woman in a Lifelong, Monogamous Covenantal Union. We believe that God wonderfully creates each person (Psalm 139:14), as male or female, in his own image (Genesis 1:27; Matthew 9:4). Marriage, therefore, is the union of one man and one woman such that they “become one flesh.” We believe that marriage was designed by God from the beginning to be a lifelong relationship (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 9:6).
The Bible Lists Many Sinful Marriages and Relationships. We believe that God intends sexual relationship to occur only between a man and a woman united in a marriage covenant (1 Corinthians 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4). We further believe that a Christian believer should only marry another believer (2 Corinthians 6:14).
We believe that all forms of intimate sexual relationship outside of marriage between a man and a woman €“ which include, among others, adultery, fornication, pedophilia, homosexuality, incest, prostitution and bestiality €“ are sins before God (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10).
We believe that all sins exclude unrepentant sinners from the kingdom of God. However, sexual immorality is one of the most frequently mentioned in many of the lists of sins (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21; Revelation 21:8; 22:15). Homosexuality, in particular, is singled out as especially provoking God’s wrath (Romans 1:24-27; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Jude 1:7).
All Members of the Church Considering Marriage Shall Be Instructed and Admonished About Marrying in the Lord. Marrying “in the Lord” consists in submitting to the Biblical principles mentioned above. Instructions and admonitions include calling all who disregard the above principles to repent of their sin. Moreover, we believe that God restores all who confess and forsake their sin through Jesus Christ who died on the cross for sins (Psalm 32:5; Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9).
Finally, we believe that every person is made in the image of God (Genesis 9:6; James 3:9), and therefore must be treated with love, compassion, respect and dignity (Acts 10:34; Romans 2:11), as our Lord Jesus Christ demonstrated when he ministered to sinners and outcasts (Matthew 11:19). Hateful persecution, harassment and violence against others, under any circumstances, are not in accord with Scripture and the doctrines of the church.
Other helpful articles:
“Is Homosexual Practice No Worse Than Any Other Sin?” by Dr. Robert A. J. Gagnon, Associate Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary; ordained elder, PCUSA (Webpage) (PDF)
“The Bible and the Practice of Homosexuality” by Dr. James R. Edwards, Professor of Theology, Whitworth College; Minister of the Word and Sacrament (PCUSA) (PDF)
“Let’s Not Cut Christ to Pieces” by Dr. Michael S. Horton, Professor of theology and apologetics at Westminster Seminary, California; ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament, URCNA; editor-in-chief of Modern Reformation magazine. (Webpage)