The Daily Telegraph| called it ‘the most sweeping social reform for 40 years’. It was speaking of the first gay ‘weddings’ celebrated in Britain recently, and referring back to the legalisation of homosexual acts between consenting adults brought in during the 1960s.
Among those getting ‘married’ were rock star Sir Elton John and his partner and actor Sir Antony Sher and his partner. With high profile celebrities like these involved and the Prime Minister welcoming these civil partnerships as a ‘modern and progressive step’, Christians who believe the witness of Scripture that God views homosexual acts as sinful, will no doubt be branded intolerant, antediluvian bigots, upon whom it is already open season for the liberal establishment to pour its self-righteous scorn. Truly our cup overflows!
Pull out of schools?
Actually we are not intolerant bigots. We recognise that we too are sinners, and that is why we have fled to Jesus for salvation. We are really those who love our fellow human beings and fear God giving our nation up to judgement (Romans 1). The current chaos in the Church of England was soon obvious following the first civil partnership celebrations. Though the bishops banned clergy from holding formal blessing services, the former Bishop of Durham, David Jenkins, immediately went ahead and blessed a homosexual union in Newcastle.
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church members …