Who's the Judge?

Say among the nations, “The Lord is king! The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. He will judge the peoples with equity.” - Psalm 96:10 (NRSV) 

There's been quite a stir lately in society. In a historic decision, the Supreme Court of the United States has ruled in the affirmative of same-sex marriage, over-ruling state marriage amendments and requiring every state to recognize and legalize same-sex unions. Regardless of which side of the fence you're on, there seems to be a general agreement that the impact of this ruling has yet to be fully fleshed out in everyday life and, just as impacting upon the collective conscience of society, the debate is far from over.

I have friends, all of whom would classify themselves as fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ, who have diametrically opposing views concerning the issue of gay marriage. I have taken time to read their blogs and the multitudes of Facebook comments and conversations. I've taken time to read various opinions from authorities I respect on this and other important issues. I've gleaned a lot from the experience and am now ready to post my opinion.  

Here's what I think...you might want to buckle up for this.

I don't think the real issue is gay marriage. Much like a doctor would tell you that the swollen lymph node is not the primary issue, (it's merely a symptom of something else) I believe the issue of human relationships and the exercise of human sexuality is grounded in whose authority we live under. Another way to state it is something you're likely to hear if you bring up the topic of authority in regard to just about anything these days: "Who are you to judge?"

In my mind, that's the essential question. It's a question that is rooted in philosophy and theology in my opinion...not merely sociology. Let me try and explain what I mean. Many people today are living in the tension of two different philosophies that intersect on a hundred different stages each day. These philosophies are "modern" and "post-modern."

Many middle-of-the-road Evangelicals have been warned of the heresy of "post-modern" thought without ever really considering what it means. There are components of "post-modern" thought that I feel are quite helpful. But to explain what I mean, let me give an overly simplified understanding of "modernist" philosophy.

Modernists look at the world through the eyes of what can be quantifiable. Science is king. Nothing wrong with science. Science reveals a lot to us about the character of God and the majesty of His creation. However, when we apply "logic" and "scientific method" to defining God we run a great risk. We run the risk of putting ourselves on the same "level" of God in order for us to "quantify and qualify" God. Much of systematic theology and apologetics is formed from a modernist perspective and approach. A lot of it is very good. However, the shadow side of such a perspective is that we can actually impose "our" definitions and limitations upon God.

Postmodernists look at God from a different perspective. They question the concept of "knowing." Are there realms in which "knowing" can be found outside of quantifiable realms and the Scientific Method? I believe there are. How does one prove that love exists much less the existence of God? How can one quantify and define the existence and experience of the human soul? If we, as finite human beings, can stand on the same level as God and (based upon our assertions) put God in a box of our definition, then we all would have reason to join Nietzsche in asserting that "God is dead and we have killed him."  

There is much to find in both philosophical camps that is worthy of consideration. There is much to find in both camps that is debatable. Interestingly enough, both camps have an "authority" in question and it's not who we think. We are the authority in question. Even those in the post-modern camp start their inquiry from a set of glasses that looks outward at God. Both the modernist and the post-modernist make claims about the nature of God and His ways from their personal perspective and bias. Such is the nature of human inquiry.  

What if there were another basis for authority. What if it began from a perspective other than human "reasoning" about God? I believe there is such authority. It's called revelation.  The Book of Hebrews shares this about the person of Jesus:

"The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word." (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)

Second Corinthians 5:19 has this to share about the unique revelation of Jesus:

"God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them." (NIV)

So, in the words of an esteemed professor of mine, "If we want to know what God is like, we need to look at Jesus." Or in the words of Reuben Welch, former professor and chaplain at Point Loma Nazarene University, "God is the type of Father who would have a Son like Jesus."

I'm sure by now you're probably wondering what any of this has to do with the Supreme Court ruling, the issue of Gay Marriage and how we go about life and living in the 21st century.  In a word: everything. If God has revealed Himself to us in a human being, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, then He is the authority we should appeal to in matters as difficult as the ones we face in today's world. If Jesus is King of kings and Lord of lords, our opinion is secondary to His. So what do we find Jesus revealing?

1. God established marriage as a lifelong union between a man and a woman

4 “Haven’t you read,” he replied, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? (Matthew 19:4-5; NIV)

In a heated discussion with the Pharisees over divorce, Jesus reaffirms marriage as a divinely instituted, lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. The issue was a settled one in Jesus' mind and the minds of those attempting to put Jesus in an ethically compromising position. I do find it interesting to note that Jesus affirms the reality of heterosexuals causing violence to God's desire for marriage and human flourishing. This reality should be taken into serious consideration and reflection when vehement arguments break out over what "Gay Marriage" has done to the institution of marriage. Heterosexuals have caused as much heartache and destruction in the realms of marriage, family and human relationships throughout history as the concept of "Gay Marriage." 

2. God has offered homosexuals and heterosexuals a lifestyle alternative to marriage

12 For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.” (Matthew 19:12; NIV)

This passage is intriguing and without getting into all the "nitty-gritty" of how one "becomes" a eunuch, let's focus our attention on what the eunuch does. A eunuch offers themself in service of another. They sacrifice much in order to give their total focus and devotion to the one they serve. Jesus has stated that there are those who "choose to live like eunuchs." Why? For the sake of the kingdom of heaven.

A lot of discussion and debate has been given to the topic of whether or not human sexuality is a product of genetics or choice. Many have claimed that they didn't "choose" their sexuality.  Others have claimed that everyone "chooses" their sexuality. My personal opinion is that humanity was created with sexual drives and that there are some individuals who genuinely experience same-sex attraction. The source of those drives is debated, and I have my own opinion (rooted both in psychology and theology) but at the end of the day I find myself asking a different question regarding whether or not a person is born "straight" or "gay." My question is this: 

Why can't a person, regardless of sexual attraction, choose to forgo sexual relationships for the sake of the kingdom of God to the glory of God.  

It seems to me that we are acting as "authorities in question" when we refuse to look at all the alternatives, especially one provided to us by the One who knows us better than we know ourselves. It seems to me that we are acting as "authorities in question" when we place sexual expression at the top rung of the ladder of human existentialism.  

Regardless of what culture or the entertainment industry would have us believe, sexual identification and expression is not the most important issue of life. Humanity will continue to search for identity and significance outside of the context of human sexuality. A spouse or a lover cannot fill that need indefinitely. The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us that: "He (God) has also set eternity in the human heart..." (Eccl. 3:11; NIV) Outside an intimate relationship with our Creator (John 1:3 tells us that all creation came into being through the pre-incarnate Christ) we will find the words of Bono to be true: "(we) still haven't found what (we're) looking for."

There have been many throughout history (regardless of orientation) who have forgone sexual expression and relationships and have found identification as a Child of God to be more than enough to inform their identity and leave a lasting legacy of significance. One need only consider individuals such as Mother Teresa and Father Damien (the Leper Priest of Molokai) to see that a life lived in service of God and the least of these can provide a sense of peace and joy and relational connection that lasts and informs longer than mere sexual expression.

I have friends and acquaintances who experience homosexual and heterosexual orientation. They're single and I can imagine that based upon what I've said in this blog regarding God's authority to define marriage and sexual expression within its confines they probably think I'm crazy. They also may be tempted to think that God's intentions and thoughts toward them must relegate them as second-class citizens. Actually, that couldn't be any further from the truth.

In the book of Isaiah, the prophet speaks for God in regard to the status of "eunuchs." It couldn't be any more significant:

Let no foreigner who is bound to the Lord say, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people. And let no eunuch complain, "I am only a dry tree." For this is what the Lord says: "To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant - them I will give within my temple and its walls a memorial and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that will endure forever."  (Isaiah 56:3-5; NIV)

That's a promise from Someone who has true authority. I realize that this blog doesn't solve all the issues at play. I also realize that many who read this may have different opinions and interpretations. That's ok. My only request is that while we engage very important issues of culture such as these, we start with a foundational question: "Who's the judge?"