Calvin Synod Herald, 2016 (117. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
2016-03-01 / 3-4. szám
6 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD Jesus' Words Guide Synod: God's Law Supersedes Supreme Court Jesus did address the homosexual issue, contrary to the misinformation propagated by the GLBT organizations and promoted by the media, as we read in Matthew 19:3-12. Christ's word alone must be received by the whole Church as the uncontestable answer. As he spoke, Jesus reaffirmed the Law about the legitimacy of one man and one woman united in marriage. He also insisted that other unions are prohibited. When he declared he did not come to change even an iota or dot of the Law, we can see that Jesus taught that its ancient denial of homosexual intimacy is embedded in God's will and only marital intimate relations are affirmed by the Lord. If we will not believe the Savior's words, then whose? 3 And Pharisees came up to him and tested him by asking, "Is it lawful to divorce one's wife for any cause?" 4 He answered, "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, 5 and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one?' 6 So they are no longer two but one. ... 11 But he said to them, "Not all men can receive this precept, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so since birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven, He who is able to receive this, let him receive it." All Men Are Created Equal Believing that all are created, the Lord remarked (vs. 10- 12) that some men are (a) born eunuchs, incapable of natural sexual relations. Since that is the will and work of God, the Creator of every life (Ps. 139), the homosexual - male or female - is not a lesser person, but fully deserving the love and respect due to every man or woman. Each is the unique handiwork of the Father, (b) Jesus spoke next of those men who have been castrated and also made incapable, (c) Then he includes those who by choice abstain from sexual intimacy to be free to serve God more diligently, and cannot be a competent partner in marriage. Jesus brings them all together under the category of eunuchs, where two cannot be one. The word eunuch is rooted in "euné" (bed) and refers to one who has charge of the bed-chamber. It refers to the sexless ones who served in the harem or among the master's women, and with them the men who have been neutered. Jesus expanded it to include celibates by choice as if they were eunuchs. The Hebrew prophets are not silent either. In Isaiah 56:3-5, he affirms that although the eunuch will not have sons and daughters, he is not a "dry tree" and will not be excluded from the kingdom of God. In fact, they will have "a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name which shall not be cut off." These are promised to them - if they "keep my Sabbaths" (worship), "hold fast my covenant" (heed the Ten Commandments), and "choose the things that please me," (live a good life). The same things are expected of them as of everyone else, no more and no less. Jesus speaks of this birth of the gay man (eunuch) or woman as a work of God and therefore good in his sight. Thus there is an equal place for them in the Church, such as the eunuch baptized by Philip and the Gentiles baptized by Peter in the first days of the Church's life and history. But they too as celibates, and obedient to God, must keep the law of chastity spoken of by Jesus, and not cohabit or marry, a union given only to one man and one woman. Standing On the Word of God The Bylaws of Calvin Synod express its congruity with the Word of God as it relates the teaching of Jesus himself. In Article I.F, it reads: "Those who are called to office in the Church are to lead a life in obedience to Scripture and in conformity to the historic confessional standards of the Church. Among these standards is the requirement to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage of a man and woman, or chastity in singleness. Persons refusing to cease and repent of any self-acknowledged practice, which the confessions call sin, shall not be ordained and/or installed as lay officers or ministers of word and sacrament." Its local application incumbent on ministers and churches is found in Article X, "Scripture and our Confessions teach that God's intention for all people is to live either in fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or in chastity in singleness. Church property shall not be used for, and church officers shall not take part in, conducting or participating in any ceremony or event that pronounces the blessing of God upon any relationship inconsistent with God's intention as expressed herewith." As churches that profess the priesthood of all believers, the same rule guides all church members as well as its ministers. The doors are open to those who do not conform to the Word guiding the churches, to encourage all to participate and to grow in the faith that inspires conformity to the word of God. Rev. Albert W. Kovács, UCC - Pastor Hungarian Reformed Church - Johnstown, PA * * *
