A Supreme Decision?

By Matthew Steven Bracey

“Get EnGAYged.”

Those were the words I saw pinned to a young man’s shirt on the day after the Supreme Court’s ruling on so-called same-sex marriage. Perhaps you had a similar experience. In Obergefell v. Hodges, a 5-4 majority held that the Fourteenth Amendment requires states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and recognize other states’ same-sex marriage licenses.

What followed was the declaration that “love wins” and a rainbow light display from the White House. We could explore how the majority’s opinion is based on conviction rather than the Constitution, and represents a serious threat to American democracy, state’s rights, and religious liberty, as the dissenting opinions point out. However, we will not do so here.

Instead, we will consider how the Church should respond. Though cultures and societies change, God and His Truth do not. We’re still called to biblical integrity and public witness. We’re still called to encourage and equip our churches and congregants.

Biblical Integrity and a “Radical Love” Ethic

Whatever the cultural consensus, the Church is Christ’s Bride, and she must remain faithful to Him and His Word. This means we must commit ourselves to a basic creation-fall-redemption-consummation narrative, and its implications for gender, dignity, sexuality, and marriage. God created the world perfect. He made males male, females female, and marriage the union between the two (Genesis 1:27; 2:24-25). Jesus Himself later affirmed this model (Matthew 19:4-6).

However, mankind sinned, resulting in original sin and total depravity (Genesis 3:6-7). We are all sinners, whether adulterers, gluttons, homosexuals, idolaters, liars, murderers, thieves, or something else (Romans 5:12-14). Thankfully, God provided salvation in Christ to all who would accept His free gift. This is great news for a dying world!

Yet in sharing this good news, we must remember all persons have dignity, whatever their view of life and the world. And yes, this includes same-sex marriage advocates, homosexuals, even those who confuse their gender. Because God has created all people in His image and provided a general atonement, we must treat all people with basic human dignity.

We must also remember marriage is the union between one man and one woman. Marriage isn’t simply tied to Creation, but to the gospel itself. If we redefine marriage, we redefine the gospel. A secular culture, much less five Supreme Court Justices, cannot truly change the definition of marriage, or grant rights that God has not created. God alone creates rights; courts, legislatures, and other human institutions can only recognize and protect them (or not).

As we stand for these beliefs as a Church, we must remember the Christian love ethic. We must exude compassion, forgiveness, grace, and kindness. This means our words, tone, and body language should never be interpreted as animosity, bitterness, harshness, hate, hostility, ridicule, or some other characteristic antithetical to Christ’s love. Cheap shots, insensitive remarks, mudslinging, and name-calling have no place in the Christian’s discourse. Instead, we must embody the fruit of Christ and His Spirit (Ephesians 5:7-10; Galatians 5:22-23). This holds true, even when others do not act in kind—even when they ridicule us with labels like backwards, bigot, and narrow-minded (Matthew 5:38-39).

In addition, we should begin thinking about how to help our congregants answer questions like, “Should I attend same-sex ceremonies of friends or family?” and “How do I answer my child if he asks why his classmate has two daddies?” We should also think toward developing what a theology of persecution and suffering might look like in an American context. Increasingly, we are condemned, denounced, and vilified…just for being Christians. Though the American Church has not had to think about this for centuries, it is upon us, and we must prepare ourselves (John 15:18-27; 2 Timothy 3:12). Along these same lines, we should begin to develop a theology of civil resistance and disobedience. Although we affirm governments’ biblical role to encourage good and punish evil (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Timothy 2:1-3; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17), the government can only go so far before Christians are forced to make hard decisions about where our loyalties lie.

Finally, these considerations serve to illustrate why our church and denominational leadership must maintain and strengthen its resolve to protect the integrity of its offices as seasoned people leave positions and new ones fill them. This is especially urgent as millennial leaders—that’s my generation—step to the plate. After all, the future is at stake, and we must protect Christ’s Church from false gospels.

One of the best ways to prepare tomorrow’s leaders today is to use tools that foster a church culture of Christian orthodoxy. For example, church leaders should make frequent use of the Treatise, Church Covenant, historic documents, curricula, conference and symposium literature, and so forth. This may be done through sermon or Sunday School series, small group studies, etc.

Legal Matters

In addition to remaining true to Christ and His Word, church leaders must educate themselves and their congregations on legal matters. Legal protection is like football pads—pads don’t guarantee players will not be injured, but they help tremendously. Similarly, legal protection is no guarantee against legal trouble (especially in a secular society with activist judges), but it’s highly recommended to guard against the possibility. Church leaders should be proactive in such pursuits.

“The community knows what we believe and respects that” isn’t good enough. In our culture, refusing to add legal protection is like stepping onto a football field without pads—a sure bet for trouble. I offer two examples:

• Scenario #1: You’re a pastor or deacon. Your church has a policy stating your venue is open generally for public use. What happens if you refuse a same-sex couple who has their own officiator and wants to use your venue?
  

• Scenario #2: A long-time church member’s grandson is a homosexual. She doesn’t agree with her grandson’s lifestyle, but wants to honor his desire to have a church wedding. She approaches you and requests use of the church. Even though church leaders and members don’t support same-sex marriage, policies don’t explicitly forbid using the facilities for these purposes. Again, what happens if you refuse?
  

In both scenarios, refusal could easily spell legal trouble that likely could be avoided. Churches should adopt or update documents that reflect their intentions in these matters. In fact, as a general rule, policies should be reviewed annually (at least). Church leaders should meet immediately and present resolutions to their church bodies if they have not done so. The suggestions in Protecting Your Ministry from Sexual Orientation Gender Identity Lawsuits provide a helpful starting point. This free, online pamphlet explains that every church needs a statement of faith, religious employment criteria, and policies on facility use, formal membership, and marriage.

Additionally, churches not otherwise incorporated should do so immediately to protect the assets of leaders and members. Finally, churches without affiliation to Free Will Baptist associations and organizations that affirm biblical marriage should seek membership to strengthen their legal position.

“What happens if governments remove our tax exemption?” many ask. Already, authors such as The New York Times’ Mark Oppenheimer are arguing for this very thing. If the day comes where we must choose between biblical integrity and tax exemption or even basic legal recognition, unequivocally, we must choose the former to honor the Bible. Still, we don’t have to accept such opinions sitting down. In fact, we don’t have to accept a majority culture that unfairly characterizes us as bigots and narrow-minded either. God doesn’t call us simply to give leadership to His Church, but to influence the culture around us.

A Stewardship of Citizenship

As the Father sent Christ to be the Light of the World, He has sent us. We don’t have the luxury of hiding in Free Will Baptist “monasteries.” That would do nothing for a lost world. Our calling as Christians—not to mention our Baptist heritage—won’t allow it. Our Church Covenant states, “We will everywhere hold Christian principle sacred and Christian obligations and enterprises supreme; counting it our chief business in life to extend the influence of Christ in society, constantly praying and toiling that the kingdom of God may come, and His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven” (italics added).

As Free Will Baptists, we believe our faith and witness has public implications. Just because the tide of American culture turns doesn’t mean our calling has changed. From the cultural mandate to the gospel message to the Church’s mission, God commands His children to transform their culture. Yet how can we do this in our American context as good, Christian citizens?

First, we stand for our beliefs, honestly yet lovingly, in our respective spheres of influence.

Second, we stay current on news and politics, especially the intersection of church and culture. We must know the issues and candidates; care about who occupies Congress, the White House, and the Supreme Court; and vote according to our biblical values. At times, we may find ourselves voting against someone more than for someone. The choice not to vote—or to vote for a candidate who has no chance of winning—is imprudent in our evil day.

Third, we encourage talented young people in our churches to follow God’s call, not only into church ministry, but into the centers of culture: journalism and news media, local school boards, politics, the entertainment industry, and so forth. While cultural change is slow, it is vital.

Fourth, we should consider putting principles to pen and purse. For example, publically signing statements of faith that affirm our beliefs, such as the Manhattan Declaration: A Call of Christian Conscience or Here We Stand: An Evangelical Declaration on Marriage. These documents affirm the sanctity of life, biblical marriage, and religious liberty, and may be easily found online. Or we might stop actively supporting (financially or otherwise) institutions that oppose Christian values, be it our favorite coffee franchises, entertainment enterprises, or sports establishments. In our highly globalized economy, this is challenging but possible.

Fifth, we should be involved in grassroots social and political efforts. Lead an initiative on social media or through church to make phone calls or send letters expressing our positions to political representatives. Participate or organize an event(s) that serves the community and brings awareness to issues resulting in change at local, state, and federal levels.

For example, who would have thought in 1973 that the pro-life cause would have gained the momentum and victory it has in recent days? And yet, in the aftermath of Roe v. Wade, Christians reaffirmed their commitment to biblical integrity; participated in the marketplace of ideas; and founded adoption agencies, crisis pregnancy centers, and free health clinics. Perhaps we can do similar things for the cause of biblical marriage.

Why don’t we create a church culture that honors successful marriages? Why not celebrate anniversaries with fellowship, food…even presents? Certainly we want to be sensitive in doing so, as our churches are filled with people whose relationships have not succeeded; but that is no reason not to celebrate those whose have. It would be a great witness to celebrate biblical examples of marriages before the watching, secular world!

Finally, we must be realists. Not all our efforts will pay off. Our points may be misunderstood. Our initiatives may not pan out. Sometimes, our preferred candidates won’t get elected—and even when they do, they will disappoint us. But the public implications of the gospel don’t rise or fall on the success of our efforts, just as God’s call to faithful preaching doesn’t depend on how many pews are filled (just ask the Prophet Jeremiah). Whatever happens, God simply calls us to be faithful in our public witness.

Conclusion

On June 26, 2015, the Obergefell ruling made history—no mistake about it. Yet the question remains as to how we will respond. As we equip Christ’s people for the world, protect Christ’s Church from the world, and proclaim Christ’s gospel to the world, we can respond with thanksgiving, for He will be faithful, whatever comes. No matter how cultures and societies change, God, His Word, and His call do not change. And whatever the world may say about marriage, we anticipate that greater, final marriage between Christ and His Church…and in this we hope and rejoice!

About the Author: Matt Bracey works at Welch College as registrar, Law and Policy advisor, and faculty member, teaching courses in history, law, theology, and interdisciplinary studies. He holds degrees from Cumberland School of Law (J.D.), Beeson Divinity School (M.T.S.), and Welch College (B.A.). He lives in Mount Juliet, Tennessee, with his wife Sarah and their kitten Puzzles.