The
Ten Declarations
For Protecting Biblical Marriage
Principles to Unite, Focus and Ground Us During This
Precarious Season
25th of June in the Year of Our Lord 2008
1. God loves all people, therefore we
love all people, and we will do so regardless of how some
view or define themselves sexually. We choose to love those
who, for whatever reason, have chosen to involve themselves
in homosexual or other unbiblical sexual activity. Authentic
inclusivity means loving all persons, without the need to
compromise biblical integrity. We openly welcome into our
lives as friends and into our churches those who are struggling
with same-sex attraction or who are entrenched in that lifestyle,
with a sincere hope that they might turn to Christ and be
transformed, and join with all of us in the process of being
ever more conformed to the truth of the Bible. Genuine, biblically-founded
tolerance means not only that we must love those who are actively
involved in the homosexual lifestyle, but would include them
loving us, without placing demands upon us to renounce our
biblical convictions. We are open to meaningful, loving, non-inflammatory
dialogue. Our primary question to the homosexual agenda advocates
is “will you coach us on how to talk with you in a non-condescending
way which both values you and allows us not to violate our
biblical convictions?”
2. The Bible defines marriage as a covenantal union of one
male and one female, which provides the foundation for healthy,
whole family life. God’s Word is unabashedly resolute
regarding this. We will avoid unproductive arguments with
those who, through the use of casuistry and rationalization,
revise biblical passages in order to condone the practice
of homosexuality or other sexual sins. Biblical texts assert,
and contemporary sociological research confirms, that maximal
sexual fulfillment occurs within one man-one woman monogamous,
covenantal relationships. Biblical texts assert, and biology
confirms that procreation, the sustaining of the human race,
occurs exclusively within the male-female union. Furthermore,
boys and girls need and deserve to have a daddy and a mommy
who love each other and who are committed to each other in
marriage. God established marriage between Adam, a male, and
Eve, a female, as the pattern for all time. Marriage of a
man and woman was established by God at the beginning of creation.
Jesus assumed and positively affirmed this standard. Historic,
orthodox Christianity has affirmed this for two millennia.
3. While the Bible may not address sexual orientation, it
does, however, clearly address sexual actions. We are not
surprised by, nor unsympathetic toward those who are confused
and/or struggling
with their sexuality. We all live in a fallen world and the
effects of sin are multifaceted. But sexual actions, choices
and practices are to be holy and pure before God. Biblically
understood and Godhonoring
sexual expression is reserved for one man and one woman in
a monogamous, covenantal, life-long marriage. We will not
expend endless energy debating what people claim they “are”
(homosexual). We focus instead on what persons choose to “do”
(homosexual acts). With that established, it is inappropriate
to compare homosexual marriage to interracial marriages. Race
is a fact of birth. A homosexual act is that – an act.
Acts involve choices.
4. We choose to be Christ-like even when we are falsely accused
and slandered. When accused by those who reject God’s
truth, we will, by God’s grace, boldly continue to work
diligently and faithfully for the Bible’s definition
of marriage, while responding truthfully in love to those
who choose to criticize. “A gentle answer turns away
wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1).
With Christ’s patient help, we shall attempt to evidence
“a gentle answer” to all.
5. As the Church, we repent of our nation’s moral condition.
Blame shifting is not allowed on the part of Bible believing
Christians. The reason for our present dilemma is not ultimately
assertive and demanding homosexuals, or biblically ignorant
judges, or even a scripturally devoid electorate. It is ultimately
a spiritually impotent church, which through failure to adequately
teach and model
authentic Christianity, allowed and caused ungodly persons
to be elected, who in turn selected unbiblical judges. We
repent of our apathy, our lethargy and our spiritual ineffectiveness.
Our coming together is, in part, a statement of repentance
regarding our competitiveness and disunity. We declare our
unity in Christ. Each of us must leave our ego and logo “at
the door.”
6. Ultimately, we cry out for spiritual renewal in our state,
nation and world. Winning a defense of marriage vote is of
prime importance in the short term. But long term spiritual
renewal, revival and evangelism are ultimately the answer,
and are the reason for which we band together. While the church
is the force for righteousness in the culture, its ultimate
purpose is to glorify God by bringing persons into relationship
with the Father.
7. We refuse the false choice between spiritual and temporal
means, since both are used to advance Christ’s Kingdom.
While we will diligently urge persons who understand truth
to register and vote,
we give ourselves to teaching the Word (including the topic
of marriage), the sacraments, prayer, fasting, intercession,
personal holy living, and the standard Christian disciplines.
We may vote Republican, Democrat or Independent, but ultimately
we belong to the “Jesus Party.” We function within
existing political parties for the exclusive reason of having
the greatest biblical impact on the culture as possible.
8. We repent of our failure to adequately and effectively
protect biblical, heterosexual marriage. The divorce rate
is an abomination to God, a curse on the world and nation,
and is an anathema to us.
We repent of our failure to adequately sanctify marriages
in a way that would cause them to endure the pressures of
daily temptations and duress.
9. Being approved by persons is not to be valued over the
conformity to God’s will, ways and Word. Succinctly
stated, we will not be people pleasers. We choose to be bold,
yet loving; firm, yet compassionate. We will not be intimidated
by the attacks of those who oppose biblical marriage, whether
they are the government, the media or those who violate biblical,
sexual purity. We understand that political correctness and
biblical integrity are incompatible. While we cannot attend
or participate in so-called homosexual “marriage”
ceremonies, we do and can affirm the value of all persons,
and we fully understand the difference. We unashamedly distinguish
between that which
might be called “marriage” by civil authorities,
and that which was established as marriage by God in his Word.
In terms of historical sequence, God established marriage,
under his Sovereign direction,
long before matrimony was recognized by the state.
10. By God’s strength and grace, we will be faithful…
to the end. With Christ’s abiding presence and by the
Spirit’s enabling power, we will walk in faithfulness
and unity, while demonstrating endurance
that will be pleasing to God. We envision victory in reestablishing
the sanctity of one man-one woman marriage in our world. If,
in the process, we are persecuted for remaining true to God’s
Word,
we will endure. We will never abandon His Word. We will never
capitulate or compromise. If we are harassed, jailed, imprisoned,
driven underground or even killed, we will be found worthy
of
joining the saints and martyrs who have gone before us. Whether
here or in the world to come, due to our unswerving dedication
to our heavenly Father, His Word, and to our King and Savior
Jesus, we shall overcome.
Our Solemn Agreement, June 25, 2008
©
James L. Garlow
Permission is granted for this to be copied and circulated,
providing proper credit is given.
