Statement Against Heterosexual Marriages Only
Statement
All One Body lists the Classis Grand Rapids East Report of 2016 as additional support for same-sex marriages. Their website contains a link to that report.
.
Response
This report has been studied in detail. A full examination of it can be found at The Grand Rapids East Report of 2016.
One of its main conclusions is that Romans 1 only prohibits excesses and pederasty. This is a position held by many who advocate for same-sex marriage. The question is, is it correct?
The following quote pertaining to Romans 1 is taken from the Human Sexuality Report:
.
The phrase “for one another” indicates that the apostle is referring to consensual sex and that he finds fault with both persons involved in the same-sex act (note also the use of the plurals in the rest of the verse: “receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error”). This makes it impossible to believe, as revisionists claim, that Paul is referring narrowly in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10 to the abusive aspect of pederasty in which an older man sexually exploits a younger man. As William Loader observes: “The reference to lesbian relations which does not fit pederasty, and Paul’s depiction in [Rom.] 1:27 of mutual desire (eis allêlous ‘for one another’) suggest that what he [Paul] has in mind is not primarily exploitative pederasty and certainly not limited to it.” (HSR page 104)
.
More information on the Grand Rapids East Report can be found at the link given above. It is our conclusion that this report does not make a valid case for same-sex marriage. The question we need to ask ourselves is, if we would follow the advice of that report, are we being true to God’s Word? Are we letting the light of His Word shine to those around us so that those people will be benefited by that Word?
Please share your insights and thoughts in the blog below.
Thank you.