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.
Or at least some women, yet pro-feminist ("egalitarian") apologist actually argue that Mary was an apostles, thereby giving an example pf why women should not be appointed as theology teachers.
No way. I was baptized in the Catholic church when I was a week old, and I die as a Catholic.
You mean a church which manifestly considers Ted Kennedy Catholics to be member in life and in death , plus , with a present liberal pope and a divisive homogenized Vatican 2 is a Christian church that follows the Bible?
Actually distinctive Catholic teachings are not manifest in the only wholly inspired substantive authoritative record of what the NT church believed (which is Scripture, in particular Acts through Revelation, which best shows how the NT church understood the gospels.
Well, unless there is an "annulment" and the right paperwork and money are completed and paid.
So, Elsie, you prefer not to abide by the admonition to remain silent in church?
***
Do YOU?
Do YOU?
.....................................
Do I what? We were discussing 1 Corinthians 14:34, stupid!
And Protestant religions define marriage as a union of one man and one women until someone better comes along. Hardly the moral high ground.
Like Roman Catholic’s don’t??? Seriously.
I think you just committed the sin of presumption.
I think HE would find that unnecessary to obey.
Prove it.
You made a blanket statement. Back it up.
No, taking the moral high ground while hypocritically inventing church sanctioned ways to avoid obeying God or church teaching is Catholic territory.
I think that any Mormons who read that would get out their crucifixes and Holy Water to fend off the pure EVIL that oozes from the words!!
Of course; when asked to show just what is so WRONG with it; they suddenly go silent.
Like, "Call no man father.?
That thought crossed my mind.
That typical recourse is a logical fallacy, even if it was hyperbolic, since you cannot compare one church under one magisterium with a very diverse class broadly called "Protestant" (so broad that it may be said to include all non-Catholic churches) - regardless of how contrary they are to those who were originally called by that title.
However, unless the poster is contending for something broadly called "Protestant" then you must deal with the poster based upon what he/she professes.
What this as well as multitude other stats testify to is that what Catholic attack sola scriptura (albeit usually a strawman of it) as producing disunity, yet those who most strongly esteem Scripture as the accurate and wholly inspired word of God, testify to far greater unity in basic beliefs and commitment , despite disagreements, which much abound of Catholicism also.
There is no confusion, for there is not gender distinction in the Greek. "Adelphos" simply means "brethren," and while this could be used for brothers and sisters as the addressees, the distinction that is made is that of specifying women (gunē) and their role.
Which are the gender who are specified as being under required silence/quietness in the congregational meeting in which one has a psalm, another hath a doctrine, another hath a tongue, another hath a revelation, another hath an interpretation.
This is not a case like the women at the well going into town and telling all the men to go see Jesus, or that of women prophesying in the home of their father who was over them, or together in a meeting, but is that of a formal public church meeting in which personal Divine revelation is uttered, or a ordained teacher is speaking.
???
Are you referring to the Nicene Creed?
Our wires seem to have gotten crossed somewhere.
There is no fee for annulments. It is not based on ability to pay. Do try to keep up.
Seriously. For a couple that is validly married, there can be no divorce followed by remarriage until the initial bond ends at the death of one of the spouses.
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