by Dr. James Payton
Statements Against Heterosexual Marriages Only
Statement
Here’s the issue with the HSR’s selective appeal to what Ursinus meant by the use of the term “unchastity” in the Heidelberg Catechism.
What else did Ursinus condemn in his commentary? Ursinus speaks of more than adultery. Unlawful copulation, which included certain positions were considered. These were positions that prostitutes used. Unlawful acts also included use of contraceptives. Too great a frequency of having sex was considered unacceptable.
Ursinus mentions same-sex acts only once. Is the HSR (page 146) a selective appeal?
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Response
Once again Cedric Parsels’ articles are very helpful. In Part III he points out that CRC synods have re-interpreted contraceptives, masturbation etc. But past synods have repeatedly reaffirmed Ursinus’s view of marriage and homosexual sex.
Is Payton’s position here very rigid, heavily leaning on the letter of the law, as it were?