God’s Holy Ordinance
Abstract
In this article, I argue that the church must build up its theology of marriage in a more disciplined manner because the culture no longer sustains the Christian notion. In making a substantive argument I rely on the Lutheran “two ways that God reigns” approach in which we share “places of responsibility” with all humans, but in which the Christian virtues of faith, love, and hope transform those places into genuine Christian callings. I then contend strongly for the continued rejection of same-sex marriage among orthodox Christians. I conclude with what I hope is a compassionate pastoral approach—gracious tolerance—toward homosexual Christians.
Keywords
individualism; places of responsibility; faith; love; hope; gracious tolerance
References
Bellah, Robert, Richard Madsen, William S. Sullivan, Ann Swidler, and Steven M. Tipton. Habits of the Heart: Individualism and Commitment in American Life. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1985, 1996.
Benne, Robert. Ordinary Saints: An Introduction to the Christian Life. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1988, 2003.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Letters and Papers from Prison. London: S.C.M. Press, 1953.
Lutheran Book of Worship. Philadelphia: Board of Publication, Lutheran Church in America, 1978.
Luther, Martin. American Edition of Luther’s Works. Edited by Jaroslav Pelikan and Helmut Lehmann. Philadelphia: Fortress Press; St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1955–1986.
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