Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Mocking the Maker’s Design for Marriage

Just when you thought you’ve heard it all.  Last night (July 8), was the premier of a new ‘reality show’ on the cable network FYI (formerly Bio) – “Married at First Sight.”  Six singles agreed to legally marry a total stranger.
 
The extreme social experiment uses four experts — a sexologist, spiritualist, psychologist and sociologist — to create three perfect couples based on scientific matchmaking.  The potential cast members filled out lengthy personality profiles, and the four experts went on field visits to conduct psychological assessments, sexology sessions and spiritual counseling to narrow 625 possible matches down to three ideal couples.
 
The spouses know nothing about each other — not even their names — until they walk down the aisle in the premiere.  The next nine episodes follow the newlyweds as they live together for four weeks — after which they have to decide whether to remain married or get a divorce.
 
So let me get this straight: What God instituted in marriage (from the time of creation), we in America have … in our lifetime … totally redefined and are continuing to change.  Think about it.  Many states have legalized same-sex marriages and Mainline Protestant church denominations have embraced.  (read my 3-Part warning blog – “Don’t Play Russian Roulette with Marriage” – April 29, May 1 and 3, 2013)  Polygamy is seeking a comeback in Utah (read my December 20, 2013 blog – “Utah’s Latest Ski Slope … Called ‘Slippery Slope’”)     
 
Listen: The Bible contains clear and explicit teachings about marriage.  It is God who created marriage at the beginning of the human race as a lifelong union between one man and one woman.  In Genesis 1:27-28 we read that God created Adam and Eve and told them that together they should bear children.  Some would ask – “But were Adam and Eve actually a married couple?”  Yes, because the next chapter (Genesis 2:24-25) calls them “man and wife.”  Another might say – “But God’s definition of marriage was only for the Jewish people.”  Not so; it was intended to apply to all people in all societies for all times.  This is evidenced in God’s judgment on the gentiles (non-Jewish) twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah … because of their widespread practice of homosexual conduct (see Genesis 19:1-28).
 
The establishment of marriage between a man and a woman is the most fundamental institution in any society.  It comes before any other; immediately after the creation of man and woman.  It’s significant that God established marriage before there is any establishment of cities, nations, courts of law, or any human laws.  It certainly comes before any national, state or local governments.  It comes before schools and universities, or businesses and corporations, or churches and other non-profit organizations.  It is foundational to the establishment of any society.  Every human nation on earth, every society of any size or permanence at all, has recognized and protected the institution of heterosexual marriage.  It is not “mean-spirited” to be beholding to a biblical worldview.  God instituted marriage and defined it; we need not redefine marriage, but defend it against those who would dare to defile … “What therefore God has joined together …” (Matthew 19:3-6) – not what some social experimental experts have brought together! 
 
Rev. Dr. Kenneth L. Beale, Jr.
Chaplain (Colonel-Ret), U.S. Army
Pastor, Ft. Snelling Memorial Chapel

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