💍When God’s Design Meets Modernity: Why the Traditional View of Marriage is Non-Negotiable

If we accept the premise that marriage was designed by God with specific, foundational purposes—as outlined in the Scriptures—we must then follow that design to its logical conclusion.

For those who adhere to the Biblical view, the answer is clear: Homosexuality and lesbianism, when understood as the basis for marriage, cannot fit the foundational design God established for the institution.

Here is a look at why, focusing on the three primary pillars of God's original intent:

1. The Requirement of "One Flesh" and Complementary Design

The most explicit instruction for marriage is found in Genesis 2:24, where God states:

"Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

The text explicitly identifies the union as between a man and his wife. The concept of "one flesh" is rooted in the complementary nature of male and female bodies, which are uniquely designed for physical union and the potential for procreation.

• The Complement: The Bible teaches that male and female are created to complete one another. This difference (the complementarity of genders) is not a coincidence; it is essential to the physical, emotional, and spiritual dynamic of the relationship as designed by God.

• Physical Inability to Procreate: Since one of God’s initial commands was to "Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28), the inability of two people of the same sex to physically fulfill this mandate through their union is seen as a divergence from the original, inherent purpose of marriage.

  
  

2. The Core Metaphor: Christ and the Church

As we discussed, the highest purpose of Biblical marriage is to serve as a metaphor for the relationship between Christ (the Bridegroom) and the Church (the Bride).

This metaphor depends entirely on the distinction and specific roles of the two sexes:

• The Male Role: The husband is called to embody the sacrificial headship of Christ.

• The Female Role: The wife is called to embody the devoted respect and response of the Church.

If the covenant relationship is changed to include two of the same sex, the Biblical typology—the visible, living picture of Christ and the Church—is lost. In the traditional view, the metaphor simply cannot function without the necessary distinction between the masculine (Christ figure) and the feminine (Church figure).

3. The Consistency of Scripture

For those who rely on the Bible as their ultimate authority, the entirety of Scripture consistently defines marriage as being exclusively between one man and one woman.

• Old Testament Law: Practices contrary to God's intended design, including same-sex acts, are prohibited (Leviticus 18:22).

• New Testament Affirmation: Jesus himself affirmed the original design, quoting Genesis 1:27 and 2:24 (Matthew 19:4-6), emphasizing that God "made them male and female" and called for them to become "one flesh."

• Apostolic Teaching: The Apostle Paul also addresses same-sex relations within the context of turning away from God's natural order (Romans 1:26-27).

  
  

Navigating the Discussion with Truth and Grace

To hold the traditional view necessitates a clear theological distinction. While the human desires for relationship and commitment are universal:

• Love is affirmed, but marriage is defined: The definition of marriage is not viewed as something society or individuals can redefine, but as a divine institution given its specific structure by God. From this perspective, any expression of affection, commitment, or intimacy outside of the male-female marital covenant is deemed a departure from God's intended order. Therefore, the emotional bonds and expressions of intimacy in same-sex relationships are considered theologically flawed or "perverted forms" that fall short of the pure and holy love God sanctions.

• All people are valued, but all are called to obedience and repentance: Christians are called to love all people as God's creation, but simultaneously must uphold the Biblical standard for sexual expression and marriage. This framework calls everyone—married or single, straight or gay—to repentance and submission to God's standard, with sexual fulfillment reserved exclusively for the male-female, marital covenant.

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If God’s desire for marriage is to reflect Christ and the Church, what does that mean for how the Church should engage with this conversation in love and truth?