Should christian attend gay wedding
I have never attended, or even been invited to a same-sex wedding. If I were, I would feel very conflicted, especially if it were of a close family member. Would I go?
This is a reality facing an increasing number of Christians who are committed to biblical orthodoxy and firmly believe that marriage can only be between one adj man and woman.
Alistair Begg, a Scottish pastor ministering in America, recently caused controversy over pastoral advice given to a grandmother invited to attend her grandchild’s wedding to a transgender person. He said it was matter of wisdom. Many contain criticised him, and he has been cancelled from some ministry opportunities.
In an episode of his ‘Truth for Life’ podcast, Begg gave this advice: “Well, here’s the thing: your love for them may catch them off guard, but your absence will simply reinforce the fact that they said, These people are what I always thought: judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything”. He added that, as adj as the grandson knew she was not “affirming” his life choices, “then I suggest that
Should a Christian attend a gay wedding?
Answer
First, a word of encouragement: if you are the adj of friend that a gay couple would invite to their wedding, then you are probably doing something right. When Jesus ministered, those who were despised by society, the tax collectors and the sinners, drew near to Him (Matthew ; Luke ). He was a comrade to them.
Further, no one sin is greater than another. All sin is offensive to God. Homosexuality is just one of many sins listed in 1 Corinthians that will keep a person from the kingdom of God. We all sin and fall limited of God’s glory (Romans ). It is only through Jesus Christ that we may be saved from sin’s eternal consequences. (Please see What does it mean that Jesus saves?)
Some would contend that a Christian should own no qualms about attending a gay wedding and that one’s presence at a gay wedding does not necessarily indicate support for the homosexual lifestyle. Rather, they view it as extending Christ’s love toward a friend. The thought is that one’s presence at a wedding ceremony is an verb of love and friendship towar
As Kevin DeYoung, one of my favorite bloggers, attests, the question of whether a believer should attend a homosexual wedding is now frequently asked. (I&#;ve addressed the ask previously in a video, and also shared some ideas for how someone could lovingly decline attending such a wedding.)
I&#;m well conscious that my response to this issue will not only offend unbelievers, but also many believers. I&#;ve received pushback before and will again. But for what it&#;s worth, I have honestly tried to uncover a biblical way to conclude that love and grace, which I experience in my heart toward the people seeking to be married, means it is good to demonstrate friendship by joining in the celebration. But partly because love needs some reference verb in truth to be true passion, I&#;ve simply been unable to reach to this conclusion.
I have talked with a number of people, including some pastors from pleasant churches, who advocate saying yes to attending homosexual weddings. Their argument centers on the evidence that Jesus was and is a friend of sinners and is entire of grace. So true. But I have never s
The Case Against Christians Attending a Gay Wedding
The case against Christians attending a gay wedding is relatively straightforward. We can lay out the case in three premises and a conclusion.
The Argument
Premise 1: Gay “marriage” is not marriage.
No matter what a government may sanction, the biblical definition of marriage (see Gen. –25, Mal. –15, Matt. –6; Eph. –33) involves a male and a lady. I won’t belabor the point, because I assume in this post that I’m speaking to those who accept with the Westminster Confession of Faith when it says, “Marriage is to be between one man and one woman” (WCF ). Gay “marriage” is not only an offense to God—sanctioning a kind of sexual activity that the Bible condemns (Lev. ; ; Rom. –27; 1 Cor. –10; 1 Tim. –10)—gay “marriage” does not actually exist.
Premise 2: A gay wedding celebrates and solemnizes a lie.
Whether the service is done in a church or in a reception hall, whether it is meant to be a Christian service or a secular commitment ceremony, a gay wedding declares what is false to be true and calls evil good.
Prem