Posted by
TheChair on Thursday, August 14, 2008 11:16:43 PM
I intend to link to and quote from as many pro-marriage church statements as possible. Today's is from the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod to which a good friend belongs.
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=13613 It gives me strength to see others holding firm against the tides of the age. We are stronger together. If marriage is to be preserved, it must be together. From the Lutheran Statement denouncing the California Supreme Court's
Marriage Cases:
The recent decision of the California Supreme Court legalizing same-sex “marriage” highlights the downward spiral of moral values that is becoming so prevalent in our culture. This most recent action contravenes not only the Judeo-Christian values that have defined the moral compass of this great nation, but also the laws of nature and the natural reproductive process.
In the face of such moral decline, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) has consistently upheld the Bible-based values that designate “marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:2–24; Matthew 19:5–6)” .... The LCMS has consistently held that “homosexual behavior is prohibited in the Old and New Testaments [of Holy Scripture] (Leviticus 18:22, 24; 20:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9–20; 1 Timothy 1:10) as contrary to the Creator's design (Romans 1:26–27).”
As a Christian body in this country, the LCMS has the duty and responsibility to speak publicly in disagreement with this action of the California Supreme Court. In the present context we cannot be silent, since such silence “could be viewed as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle.” Accordingly, we as a church body urge our leaders, members, congregations, and all Christians, “to give a public witness from Scripture against the social acceptance and legal recognition of homosexual 'marriage.'”
The statement goes on to urge Christlike love toward the sinner, as do other, similar statements. I hope those of us engaged in the grass roots effort to save marriage encounter Lutherans and others who are taking up their duty "to give a public witness" on this great issue.
Please send me links to other faithful, authoritative statements.