Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).  Save Marriage.  Marriage = Man and Woman.   The bumper sticker phrases can go on and on.   But seriously, why does the institution of marriage matter?  As a Christian, I address this issue from a Biblical perspective.  There are other cultural perspectives; however, I am a Christian and this influences my worldview.

Marriage – the Biblically sanctioned form finds it’s origin in Genesis – before culture and before other people could shape other perspectives.  The purpose for the union of man and woman was to provide companionship that was edifying (God provided a mate that corresponded to Adam) and so that they could be fruitful and have children (Procreation Mandate) and then steward God’s creation (Dominion Mandate).  (Genesis 1: 25 – 2: 26)

In Matthew, when Jesus is challenged regarding divorce and marriage – He defaults to Genesis and quotes (Matthew 19: 1-6) regarding a man and a woman specifically.  Jesus affirms the Genesis account of what marriage is to look like.  To address divorce at the moment is to digress.  Later in the church’s formation, Paul writing to the church in Ephesus (Ephesians 5: 21-33) goes a step further and points to the mystical union that exists in marriage to illustrate the mystical union that exists between Christ and His church.  It is again an affirmation of the Genesis account and standard of marriage consisting of a man and woman.

In short, to redefine these roles within “marriage” as sanctioned by a church (which is supposed to be Christian – regardless of the Denomination) is to be disobedient to Scripture and in essence rebellious.  Our pop and political culture around us may attempt to change the definition of marriage - that is their prerogative; however, we who claim to be Christians need to stand by what it is that we say that we believe – the Bible.  It informs us regarding creation, redemption and salvation as well as marriage and how to treat one another and raise a family.  If we don’t stand by the Bible as authoritative to our lives as Christians – why claim Christianity?  People can join a community service organization (there are plenty of excellent organizations) and do humanitarian work through an agency of that type.  To go on further down this road is to digress.

There are three major elements in our society and world at large challenging marriage – promiscuity (from pre-marital sex to pornography – both soft and hard), adultery and homosexuality.

Matthew 5: 13-16 shows us a mandate to be salt and light to the world.  Salt preserves and gives flavor and light brings guidance and security – when we fall back and give in to the challenges facing marriage we’re failing to be salt and light in our world.  How we can be salt and light? 

I can assure you it is not by hating the opponents of the conservative Biblical worldview, brow beating or otherwise denigrating other points of view.   Compassion, respect and humility – while standing your ground are at the heart of any response.  More to follow…