Keeping It In Context – Part II

Generally speaking, my commentaries stem from introspection… not reaction. This commentary, however, is a response to something I read in this morning’s paper. The headline “Church to Begin Same-Sex Nuptials” caught my eye and, as I read, something very unsettling came over me. Granted the subject of same-sex marriages has been circulating for decades here in the U.S. and, of course, was probably even news back in biblical periodicals (or whatever they had) referring to the likes of Sodom and Gomorrah (re-read Genesis Ch. 18 & 19).

But something struck me unusually hard in this article. In response to the May 15th Supreme Court ruling which allows same-sex marriages, All Saints Church in Pasadena has indicated it will begin performing same-sex ceremonies. The church’s pastor, Rev. Ed Bacon, quoted Micah 6:8 as support that their church is aligned with biblical principles: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Talk about taking a snippet of scripture and building a principle around it. Sheeesh.

Now, I’m no theologian but based on everything I’ve read in the Bible that speaks of homosexuality… it’s wrong. I’m not inclined to argue how the dynamics have changed over time, or open my mind to the “true essence” of what love is all about. Doesn’t matter…. the Bible says it’s wrong. End of discussion.

It wasn’t really my intention to state my position on this subject more than I simply thought it was a perfect example of what I spoke about in my commentary posted April 30th; the dangers of taking a small section of a more global concept and customizing it to fit your own agenda.

Greg A. Morton
© May 23, 2008