Opinion on Passage of Gay Marriage in New York

Opinion on Passage of Gay Marriage in New York
Christian News, July 18, 2011, Vol 49, No. 27

Not What God Intended
The Times of Middle Country
June 30, 2011

To The Editor:
I would say what Jesus said: “Haven’t you read that at the beginning the Creator made them male and female and said for this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh?” (Matthew 19:4-5).

Do they expect me as a minister of God to conclude a marriage ceremony by saying, “I now pronounce you husband and husband, or wife and wife, or spouse No. 1 and spouse No. 2?” And to be politically correct and not offend anyone shall we replace Mother’s Day and Father’s Day with Parent No. 1 Day and Parent No. 2 Day? How heartwarming is that?

If God intended homosexual marriage, He could have created Adam and Steve or M’adam and Eve. But then they might be confused to hear God’s command to “Be fruitful and multiply.”

When we buy something it isn’t a good idea to ignore the manufacturer’s directions for assembling and maintenance of the product. The Bible is God’s manual for marriage, and His warranty of blessing is forfeited when we ignore God’s blueprint for marriage and family. Prepare for more personal brokenness, and dysfunction and social confusion and chaos – and costs (benefits, entitlements, etc.)

I know from experience that taking the stand will invite the wrath of retaliation from gay rights activists. But I’d rather be in good standing with the One I will face on Judgment Day. Homosexuals can go a lot of places in our free society, but marriage should not be one of them. But I will remain happy to share with them the love of God in Jesus, our Savior, to whom we all need to come in repentance and faith to receive his mercy, forgiveness and grace.

The Rev. Ronald Stelzer
Pastor of Our Savior Lutheran Church
Centereach

(Salt Light and Signs of the Times - An Intimate Look at the Life and Times of Alfred (Rip) Rehwinkel, by Ronald Stelzer. Available from Christian News for $13.95 plus $4.00 s/h.)