Posted on 02/24/2020 6:54:56 AM PST by Kaslin
According to a new Lifeway Research survey, while 47 percent of “mainline” pastors now support same-sex “marriage,” only 8 percent of evangelical pastors do. More specifically, “Presbyterian or Reformed (49%), Methodist (47%), Lutheran (35%) and Christian/Church of Christ pastors (20%) are more likely to see nothing wrong with same-sex marriage than Baptist (3%) or Pentecostal pastors (1%).”
None of this is surprising in the least.
First, as noted by Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, “The movement we see among pastors’ views of same-sex marriage has less to do with their denominational tradition than their view of the Bible.”
Accordingly, those who hold most faithfully to the authority of Scripture will be the least inclined to change their views on homosexuality. Put another way, those who believe the Bible to be God’s inspired, unchanging Word will be the least likely to compromise their convictions based on societal changes.
“An evangelical distinctive,” McConnell continued, “is the ultimate authority the Bible has over one’s beliefs despite changing cultural perspectives. It is not surprising then that evangelical pastors across different denominations continue to view same-sex marriage as wrong through this lens.”
That’s because the Bible is unambiguous in its condemnation of homosexual unions. Under all circumstances, regardless of how much love or commitment is involved, they are sinful in God’s sight and contrary to His established order.
At the same time, mercy and forgiveness are offered for all, including practicing homosexuals. The Word is equally clear on this (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
That’s why, when I had a mini-debate with “gay Christian” poster boy Matthew Vines, he could not offer a single Scripture verse in support of his position. (For a graphic illustration of the scriptural bankruptcy of the “gay Christian” argument, see here.)
When it comes to “mainline” pastors, which these days primarily refers to “progressive” or “liberal” pastors, they are more inclined to interpret Scripture through the lens of contemporary culture than to evaluate contemporary culture through the lens of Scripture.
As a result, they are more likely to disbelieve fundamental, biblical truths, including: the Bible as God’s infallible Word; salvation coming only through Jesus; the virgin birth and the resurrection; eternal reward and eternal punishment.
That’s why it’s no surprise that these same pastors, who have waffled on the most foundational issues, will waffle on things like gay “marriage” too. What else could we expect?
Ironically, it is the Pentecostals, who are often derided for their belief that the Spirit continues to speak today, who are the most conservative of all, with only 1 percent of their pastors affirming same-sex “marriage.”
But that, too, should come as no surprise. That’s because the reason Pentecostals believe that prophecy and tongues are for today is because they believe that the Word of God means what it says. That’s also why they reject same-sex “marriage.”
Pentecostals also emphasize the importance of the new birth and life in the Spirit. This means that the vast majority of their adherents will have a greater devotion to the Lord and His Word than those of “mainline” churches, which often downplay the concept of personal relationship with God.
All this would be in keeping with a 10-country religious survey published in 2006, titled, “Spirit and Power – A Ten Country Survey of Pentecostals.”
The survey indicated that, “In addition to their distinctive religious experiences, renewalists also stand out for the intensity of their belief in traditional Christian doctrines and practices. For instance, in eight of the 10 countries surveyed (all except the U.S. and Chile), majorities of nonrenewalist Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God and is to be taken literally, word for word; but this view is even more common among pentecostals than among non-renewalist Christians. Similarly, large majorities of all Christians, renewalists and nonrenewalists alike, believe that miracles still occur today as in ancient times. But this belief tends to be even more intense among pentecostals and, to a lesser extent, charismatics than among nonrenewalist Christians.”
It is true that, according to the recent Lifeway Research survey, the more educated the pastor, the more likely he (or she) was to accept same-sex “marriage.” Specifically, “Those with a doctorate (27%) or a master’s degree (32%) are more likely to support same-sex marriage than pastors with a bachelor’s degree (9%) or no college degree (6%).”
But, once again, it is also more likely that many of those who pursued more advanced degrees view the Bible through a more modernist lens than those who chose not to pursue such degrees. Education, in and of itself, does not guarantee orthodoxy. This is especially so when the seminaries attended are themselves liberal.
Interestingly, “Pastors of churches with fewer than 50 in attendance are more likely to see nothing wrong with two people of the same gender getting married (33%) than those at churches with 100 or more in attendance (19%).”
This would confirm what I have written about numerous times, namely, that “progressive Christianity” is doomed to fail.
That’s why, while 47 percent of “mainline” pastors now affirm same-sex relations, they represent an increasingly small minority of American pastors as a whole as their congregations are dwindling. In stark contrast, Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity is exploding around the globe.
One group adheres more faithfully to the Word and relies on the Spirit’s power. The other does not.
The results are as expected.
If the “fee” is optional, waive-able, suggested, NOT REQUIRED IN ORDER TO OBTAIN GOODS AND SERVICES, it’s fairly called a donation, as distinguished from something obligatory.
Good day.
This coming from the man who claims that he never calls people stupid.
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Lucy, occasionally there’s simply no better word to describe some people, and you’re one of ‘em.
He's asked it to be optional....doesn't say it always is. Betting you donuts the money is being asked for.
Reported.
You have quite a temper problem if you can’t stand a two word reply without violating your own religion.
Now scurry off to confession; you just committed a mortal sin.
They must be lumping the liberal Presbyterians with the Reformed Presbyterians. I see no Reformed literature that supports same-sex marriage.
And many Catholics have also behaved in the way you have described the Protestants as doing, so a Pox should be declared on all our houses, wouldn’t you think?
Cognitive dissonance attacks the part of the mind that self-identifies and thus results in anger because any contradiction, even if it comes directly from the Word of God, is felt as a personal attack.
This is why debate teams often make people argue points of view they personally disagree with.
Most of my childhood sunday school teachers were women and good ones! They practiced under the authority of the pastor using approved literature by the male authority of the churches. As I got older most of the classes I grew into were taught by men and the young women by older ladies.
Must be nice to be part of a religious sect without sin or sinners.
Nothing prevents Catholics from divorcing since divorce is a secular, legal process and not a religious one. But anyone who divorces and remarries, even a Catholic, is committing adultery. I'm certainly not suggesting that no Catholics has never done that; Rudy Giuliani just dumped his what, third wife? But if they are honest with themselves then they admit their second marriage is not a valid one. Or third. Or whatever.
No where close to the same thing.
What would you have them do? Divorce and stay single?
Jesus was very clear on the subject.
God is far more merciful about this than Catholicism which consigns people to hell for it.
I guess I'm a little confused. If you ignore Jesus's commandment, as clearly stated in Matthew and Mark, then what do you think happens?
People all over this thread are condemning same sex marriage saying that it isn't really marriage at all, and quoting the Bible all over the place to justify. Marriage is between one man and one woman, they say, and not between two of the same sex. And they're right. Jesus did say that marriage is a union between a man and a woman, and because of that there is no such thing as same-sex marriage. Not in a Biblical sense. But He also said it is a lifetime union, not a temporary one. It's beyond me how people can breeze right past that part as if Jesus never said it.
Absolutely the same thing.
Annulment is church sanctioned divorce.
God does not allow for “invalid” marriages. That is a completely Catholic construct. He said that what God has put together, let no man put asunder. He never made the exception that Catholicism does.
Breaking marriage vows is breaking marriage vows, no matter what you call it. God does not recognize the right to reneg on vows, much less marriage ones.
Even Jesus allowed for divorce due to adultery.
And annulment is breaking the same marriage vows that divorce is. The only difference is that Catholicism made an exception that you say Jesus didn’t allow.
Why did they do that?
Reported.
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A snitch too huh? Figures!
Is that an admission that you committed a sin against me then?
In Matthew, yes. In Mark, no. But even allowing for that one exception how many divorces are based on infidelity? And if you follow Matthew, where Jesus also says those who divorce and remarry commit adultery against their former spouses then I guess divorce is a given?
And annulment is breaking the same marriage vows that divorce is. The only difference is that Catholicism made an exception that you say Jesus didn’t allow.
Your ignorance of Catholic annulment is complete, I'll grant you that.
Why did they do that?
If I explained to you would it make the slightest bit of difference? Your bigotry against Catholics seems to be unshakable.
No it isn't.
Annulment is church sanctioned divorce.
No it isn't.
God does not allow for “invalid” marriages. That is a completely Catholic construct. He said that what God has put together, let no man put asunder. He never made the exception that Catholicism does.
But you seem to feel free to ignore that instruction at will. Why?
The majority of the seminaries are not there to affirm your faith so that you can minister but to tear it down and instill a spirit of superiority over those parishioners who actually believe. They are just uneducated rubes you know.
This is the best and fastest way to destroy a church.
When the faithful feel their pastor holds them in contempt they will at the least stop participating and at worst will be right out the door.
Since they are the ones who do everything from cleaning the church to teaching Sunday School to giving financially everything eventually stops.
Because Jesus specifically makes exception for adultery?
Whereas Catholic “invalid marriages” aren’t.
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