Redefining Marriage

In the last few years there has been much talk about the sanctioning of gay marriages. Conservative Christians perceive this as a redefinition of marriage. In response to certain court decisions and many controversial gay weddings that have already taken place, many of my Christian brothers and sisters have tried to persuade legislatures to define marriage as being a union between one man and woman. What some of my well meaning brothers fail to realize is that marriage has already been redefined.

The formula of 1 man + 1 woman = marriage is seen as the Biblical standard as well as the corner stone of society. Many believe it to be God's definition of marriage. Simply put, this definition is wrong because it lacks a necessary component. The words "for as long as you both shall live" should be added. Consider the words of Jesus, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; and if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she is committing adultery" (Mark 10: 11-12 NASB).
It would seem that a plain text reading of this passage would define marriage as being a union between one man and one woman "for as long as you [they] both shall live". Several other passages in the Bible indicate that divorce is wrong. If this is so, then our current laws and cultural climate have already redefined marriage as being between one man and one woman, with no amount of time fixed to the union. Make no mistake about it; this is a redefinition of marriage.

I believe that one can sin through divorce because I have faith in God's word. Also, I have seen first hand the destructive results of divorce. My parents are still married, but I have seen numerous friends and acquaintances suffer the painful affects of their parents divorce(s). Now in my late-twenties, I have friends my own age that are divorced. If Christians are in a spiritual war, then the adversary has used divorce as a staging ground to launch other sinful campaigns. These would include jealousy, bitterness, fornication, rebellion, adultery, rage, and violence just to name a few.

Legitimizing divorce has redefined marriage, and has thus changed our culture for the worse. Divorce is a man made perversion of the "one flesh" principle found in scripture. If divorce is a form of adultery, then it is also a sexual sin. Polygamy, which many Christians find disgusting, is on firmer ground Biblically than divorce. In strange fashion, arguments for gay marriages are already opening the door for legitimizing plural marriages.

Laws legitimizing and governing divorce have been on the books in this country for years. There is a divorce industry consisting of attorneys, counselors, etc. In Iran "temporary marriage" where a man and woman are married only for a prescribed amount of time, seems to be less sinister than divorce. At least in that situation each partner is simply fulfilling the agreement he/she made. "Serial monogamy" is a new term, and divorce/ remarriage fits within its definition. Divorce and subsequent remarriage(s) could also be considered "reformed polygamy", or even legalized fornication.

Homosexuals cite drive through weddings, marriages performed by Elvis impersonators, and Britney Spears' now infamous marriages as examples of less than sacred unions. The sad thing is they are right. Marriage is now the joke, and heterosexuals are the punch line. With the attrition rate as high as it is, it is a wonder why homosexuals would even desire to marry.

It would be one thing if divorce were sanctioned by the state yet the church was opposed to it, but divorce is rampant in the church as well! Congregations in America, and the rest of the western world, are filled with divorcees. Christian clerics in the U.S.A. perform weddings everyday where at least one partner is divorced. With so many Christians participating in this redefinition of marriage (it was not always this way in America) our credibility is gutted when we confront the world on the sanctity of marriage. Homosexuals only seek to broaden an already corrupted definition of marriage so that it would include them.

Writing this piece was not easy. Many of my friends are divorced. I mean who does not know someone who is divorced? I am also aware of the scriptures that grant legitimacy to divorce in certain circumstances. But does either of these facts justify the frequency of divorce in the church today?

It seems that in America we have become so accustomed to divorce that we fail to see how perverted and destructive it is. Even though divorce is widespread it is still a sin. Any redefinition of marriage is sinful. Before Christians seek to stop gays from redefining marriage, they should consider that heterosexual