Tuesday, May 15, 2012

The Great Divide: Why We Disagree Over Gay Marriage and A Host of Other Issues

In the debate over gay marriage it seems people on opposing sides of the issue cannot reason with one another.  There is a rational explanation for this.  In America, we all are living in the same country but we are light years a part in our presuppositions.  At one time in our country we shared the same foundational point of view, but not anymore.  The founding document of our country says that we are endowed by our creator with certain unalienable rights.  That is at one time the majority of our country believed that there was a God, our rights derived from Him, He was the center of the universe. This does not mean that every American was a Christian but we all shared the same worldview.

But a shift has taken place in our world, God is no longer the center of the universe, the individual is.  As Michael Horton writes, "Same-sex marriage makes sense if you assume that the individual is the center of the universe, that God—if he exists—is there to make us happy, and that our choices are not grounded in a nature created by God but in arbitrary self-construction"

The Westminster Catechism reminds us that the Chief end of man is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever.  For many in America today that has been reversed.  If there is a God, his chief end is to glorify man so that He can enjoy himself forever.  If the individual is god, then it makes sense that the issue is fairness,as our president claims.  Whatever makes you happy and fulfilled should be the law of the land.  If a baby will not make me happy and fulfilled, then I should be able to abort it.  If my marriage does not make me happy and fulfilled, I should be free to leave it.

So as Christians when we speak of right and wrong, of fulfilling a purpose greater than ourselves it does not compute.  We are speaking the same language but the concepts are foreign to so many.  Because all they hear is well that works for you, but it does not work for me.  Therefore, do not judge me.  So what is the answer.  The only answer comes from the One who can speak into the heart.  Therefore, we continue to speak the truth in love but pray that God will change the heart.  Think about it.

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