Re-examining church’s historic role

Your guest column on Nov. 7, was titled, “Examining church’s historic cultural role, by Rob Jennings-Teats, senior pastor. It missed the two (2) questions of paramount importance on his “issue of acceptance of homosexual people and their role with the church.” What was missing are:

Who is Jesus?

And what is the Bible?

With regard to the question of homosexual marriage, we must ask, “Who is Jesus?” He claimed to be the Son of God, and God. Also, what is the Bible? It has been proven beyond a shadow of a doubt to be the Holy, Inspired Word of God. Holy Matrimony is Holy because God created it. Jesus taught about marriage, indeed, His first miracle was when he turned water into wine at the marriage in Cana. Holy Matrimony can not be arbitrarily re-defined by man/woman to include a man-made “civil union.”

Yes, modern day elections can be held by each state to change the law to give any union the same legal rights by a law to create a “civil union.” Only God can make it “Holy.” In fact, the people of Nevada did vote in 2002 on the issue of traditional marriage, as between one man and one woman. The vote was a “super majority” of 67 percent in favor of marriage defined as “one man and one woman.” That was the law in Nevada.

What does the Law of God say? This is what Jesus said:

The Fulfillment of the Law

“17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:17-19. Jesus said, He did not “come to abolish the Law or the Prophets...but to fulfill them.”

The words of Jesus are clear as He was talking about what we call the Old Testament today, the first books in our Bible.

What was one of the relevant laws in the Old Testament Jesus was talking about?

“13 If a man has sexual relations with a man as one does with a woman, both of them have done what is detestable. They are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads,” Leviticus 20:13 NIV.

The role of the church for the last 2,000 years of history has been to teach the Bible and what Jesus came to teach us. Pastor Jennings-Teat did say, “Jesus and Paul both placed the ‘Great Commandment’ of the love of God and neighbor above all other Biblical laws.” Actually, this is exactly what the Bible teaches:

“36 Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

“37 Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’a]”[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’b]”[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40 NIV.

The national debate over “Gay Marriage” has often included claims “the Bible says nothing about it.” That is not true. Here are some of the scriptures on “homosexual marriage:”

Leviticus 18:22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Romans 1:26-28; Leviticus 20:13; 1 Corinthians 7:2; Mark 10:6-9; 1 Timothy 1:10-11; Jude 1:7; Romans 1:32; Romans 1:27; Hebrews 13:1-25; 1 Kings 14:24; Genesis 19:1-38; 1 Corinthians 7:7-9; Judges 19:22; Revelation 21:8; Galatians 5:16-21; Matthew 5:17-19; Acts 15:29; Ephesians 5:1-21; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8; Colossians 3:1-8; Romans 1:21-28; Leviticus 20:13-15; Genesis 2:18-25; 2 Corinthians 12:21; Hebrews 12:12-17; 1 Corinthians 6:12; Romans 7:21-25; 2 Timothy 2:22-26; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; Job 20:5; Ezekiel 16:49; 2 Timothy 1:7; and Proverbs 14:12.

All Christians are called to love God and your neighbor and even your enemy. However Christians are not allowed to do nothing when “culture” wants to do evil in the sight of God! Jesus loves you.

Larry Nelson is a retired attorney. He has studied the law of man since 1973. He has studied the Law of God since 1980. He offers the web site: www.Marythebook.com about a novel on Jesus.