This has led to the following well-written responses:
Why a Same-Sex Couple Could Never Practice Christian Marriage
And this, posted on Facebook, 2/2/23 by Famine in the Land:
Jesus attended a wedding in Cana. We don't have to guess the genders (God/Jesus created two) of the bride and groom, because -> "male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27), and "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh" (Genesis 2:24). Paul quotes this verse in his epistle to the Ephesians, and then adds the following: "This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church" (Eph 5:32). In other words, marriage is a metaphor of Christ and the church - something holy.
Any marriage outside of what Scripture defines is immoral in God's sight, and not a marriage. "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous" (Hebrews 13:4). We don't honor marriage or God by witnessing or celebrating an immoral union. A good testimony does not affirm sin, a good testimony distances itself from sin. The gospel is not advanced by compromising with this world. The gospel is advanced by proclaiming it and refusing to bow the knee to political correctness or popular culture.
Two people of the same sex can NEVER have a marriage. A “mirage,” perhaps, but not a marriage. And no Christian should ever even appear to celebrate or honor such an unholy union.
Here's another excellent article by Carl Trueman.
Alistair Begg is wrong, as are all those who agree with him.
11 comments:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
This grave warning concerning the devil was given not only to young Christians, easily subject to temptations, but also to “the elders which are among you” (v. 1). It often seems, in fact, that Satan’s greatest victories are won when he can cause the fall of a Christian leader, thereby not only destroying that leader’s influence for Christ but also giving “great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme” (2 Samuel 12:14). The devil is a roaring lion, but he doesn’t come as such. If he did, the intended victim would flee.
Taken from "Days of Praize"[ICR]
Glenn - I'm going to differ somewhat on the Alistair Begg issue. I think his advice was bad, but he has not compromised on LGBT itself, as is clear from the interview. The article you linked to quoted 1 Cor 5 : 9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; ... but omitted the next verse not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
The grandson is 'the immoral of this world'. When this pseudo-marriage breaks up, it would be nice if he felt grandma could be the person to turn to for help, it won't come from anywhere else.
I have tried to understand where Begg is coming from, partly influenced by recently hearing Becket Cook give testimony as to how he started attending a church, which led to his conversion, and was not treated as a pariah. If evangelicals treat gays (in this case so-called transgender) this way as though condemnation is all they have to say on the matter, it will be little wonder if that constituency won't listen to the gospel at all. So keeping lines of communication open is not of itself something wrong. The vilest offender who truly believes ...
A similar thing occurred recently when Bishop Farmer said Calvin Robinson (unnamed) was acting under the influence of an unclean spirit at an Anglican conference. Within a few days he realised his error, and privately and publically apologised. That ought to end the matter. But the intemperate overreaction by evangelicals on YT to this is something to behold - including accusations of the bishop blaspheming the Spirit! A woman tried to reign it in - 'think what a watching world must think of the way we are reacting'.
I suggest the same thing is happening with Begg, almost a mirror image of the woke. An overreaction on social media to something they don't want to hear, and rubbishing a man's entire ministry due to an incident of imo very bad advice, though given with good intent.
But if you bite and devour one another take heed that you are not consumed by one another.
Ken B
Ken,
Begg compromised by counseling the grandmother to attend. How ever bit of compromise it is, it is still a compromise. Her just being there is tacit approval of the union and everyone attending will see it that way. Allowing a member of the LGBTQ culture to attend church is not the same as attending one of their fake weddings.
I don't think it's over-reacting to expose Begg's error. HE needs to repent of that error.
Ken,
I just added another article link which is an excellent refutation of Begg's idea.
I was disappointed in Begg, especially when he doubled down and accused us of being Pharisees. I no longer listen to his Podcasts, as he created an unnecessary distraction.
Neil,
I haven't listened to him in ages only because I haven't listened to the radio in ages! But I'd be like you if I did.
What his motive was is anybody's guess.
Glenn - before this one goes the way of all flesh! I liked Trueman's article, but he makes the same assumption as the critics of Begg do in assuming that grandma attending can only ever be taken as a sign of approval. Since the grandson knows her faith precludes this, in this particular instance I can understand Begg wanting to keep communication open. Unusually for me I find the criticism being too judgemental, with not enough information on all the circumstances. I've watched MacArthur on this. Might have been a mistake!
Personally I could never go to such a thing as I would find it nauseating, and we are told to 'avoid the appearance of evil', i.e. that you could be seen to be condoning sin. As a rule I think Begg was mistaken, but I find the harshness of the criticism hard to take. One mistake and you're out! Perhaps Begg has a conscience issue as to how the evangelical church is perceived only ever to condemn in these situations.
Ken B
Ken,
I believe that ANYONE seeing grandma there will assume she is supporting the union. Keeping communication open with grandson is then the responsibility of the grandson if grandma doesn't come. But for Grandma to attend is 100% wrong.
I have been asked to play for a fake marriage and I refused; playing for the service, being paid to do so, would be accepting/approving of what is taking place--seen that way by anyone there
Glenn - my last foray on this subject, honest guv! I play in a small brass band (euphonium) in various protestant churches in the locality. One of them has Mrs Pastor, which I don't believe in, but I am not a member and regard playing there I suspect much as you do if you musician in a Catholic service.
Their young organist, who used to play in the band as well and I got on with OK, has now 'transitioned' from James to Katherine. Now I remember before this happening noticing his long hair (cf 1 Cor 11 : 14). I believe in a sense I saw this coming, a word of knowledge if you like (I have a deep-rooted belief that God does not want us deceived), and even considered writing out a list of verses which show the sinful nature of men acting or looking like women. Unfortunately I didn't.
My initial reaction on hearing his transition was immediately to stop playing at that church, as I didn't want to be seen in any way as condoning such behaviour, although I am not a member and would never join a female led church (or "church"). I haven't done this to date, and I have something of an uneasy conscience about it, but I would also like to make up for my previous failure to warn him which I am also uneasy about. You can have the Lord Jesus Christ and the free gift of eternal life OR you can choose a lifestyle of so-called transgenderism, but you cannot have both. Someone needs to tell him that, and I think I know him well enough for him to at least listen. On the other hand you could argue it is none of my business interfering in a church I am not a member of.
These are issues requiring a great deal of wisdom as to when to speak and when not to.
I may yet decide I can no longer play there, and will have to take the flak if there is any.
Ken B
Ken,
When I play in a Catholic Church, it isn't for the church rather it is for the family. I'm honoring the family, not the church or service.
Playing in a group that includes perverts doesn't mean you accept that pervert any more than playing in a group with unbelievers means I accept their religious or political beliefs. No one would assume as much. All three bands I have played with over the years were made up mostly of unbelievers/LEFTISTS, etc.
BUT when you attend a fake wedding ceremony it is assumed you approve of the union, that you support it. Otherwise, why attend such a service?
Ken,
Please read the link I just added to the bottom of the post.
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