In light of the Supreme Court’s recent decisions on same sex marriage, the question of what defines a marriage becomes more relevant than ever, and no doubt we’ll see a host of talking heads discussing the issue. I’m wondering how it would play out if Jesus was interviewed on the subject, so just for fun and, hopefully, a little clarity, here’s my take on how the interview would go based on what the Lord has already said about life, humanity and marriage.
Interviewer: Now, Jesus – uh, do you prefer being called Lord?
Jesus: You call me master and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. (John 13:13)
Interviewer: Or Christ? God? Savior?
Jesus: I am He. (John 18:6)
Interviewer: OK, so your popularity is higher than ever, and people look to You as the final authority. Tell us, then, where do You stand on gay marriage?
Jesus: From the beginning He created them male and female. (Mark 10:6)
Interviewer: Surely that’s a throwback to the Old Testament, though. Isn’t the old law of Moses a bit antiquated for today’s discussion?
Jesus: Think not that I came to destroy the law. I came not to destroy it, but to fulfill it. (Matthew 5:17)
Interviewer: Aha! Then doesn’t it say in Leviticus that homosexuals should be put to death? Is that what You’re advocating?
Jesus: Let him that is without sin cast the first stone. (John 8:7)
Interviewer: That would be nobody.
Jesus: It is as you say. (Luke 23:3)
Interviewer: So You’d prefer we stick to the traditional Ozzie and Harriet style family arrangement? How would that play out in 2012?
Jesus: For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife. What God has joined together, let no man set asunder. (Mark 10:7-9)
more ...
HT: Robert Gagnon (FB)
Excellent! I wish I had thought of all that in that way - good to know inside and out to answer typical critics.
ReplyDeleteThanks John for linking to Joe Dallas and Robert Gagnon.
Their material needs to be put out there more in the general culture.
I just noticed an important typo - it should be Mark 10:5 rather than 1:5 in this exchange:
ReplyDeleteInterviewer: OK, so your popularity is higher than ever, and people look to You as the final authority. Tell us, then, where do You stand on gay marriage?
Jesus: From the beginning He created them male and female. (Mark 1:5)
oops, actually, it should be Mark 10:6 as the answer.
ReplyDeleteI found another mistake - the Scripture reference should be Matthew 5:17
ReplyDeleteJesus: Think not that I came to destroy the law. I came not to destroy it, but to fulfill it. (Matthew 10:34)
Jesus: Son, be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven. (Matthew 19:2)
ReplyDeleteAnother mistake - that should be Matthew 9:2
I think the rest are all correct.
Thanks Ken, I've fixed those mistakes. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey are probably in the original; if I get a chance, I'll pop over to the original site and leave a comment.
I think Jesus would say something like - Jews don't defer to Rome to define our religious traditions (which include civil rituals like marriage).
ReplyDelete