Should christians go to gay weddings
As Kevin DeYoung, one of my favorite bloggers, attests, the question of whether a believer should attend a lgbtq+ wedding is now frequently asked. (I’ve addressed the scrutinize previously in a video, and also shared some ideas for how someone could lovingly decline attending such a wedding.)
I’m well notified that my response to this issue will not only offend unbelievers, but also many believers. I’ve received pushback before and will again. But for what it’s worth, I have honestly tried to uncover a biblical way to conclude that love and grace, which I experience in my heart toward the people seeking to be married, means it is good to demonstrate friendship by joining in the celebration. But partly because love needs some reference indicate in truth to be true devotion, I’ve simply been unable to appear to this conclusion.
I have talked with a number of people, including some pastors from pleasant churches, who advocate saying yes to attending homosexual weddings. Their argument centers on the evidence that Jesus was and is a friend of sinners and is packed of grace. So true. But I have never seen a single wedding invitation that doesn’t request people’s presen
The Case Against Christians Attending a Gay Wedding
The case against Christians attending a same-sex attracted wedding is relatively straightforward. We can lay out the case in three premises and a conclusion.
The Argument
Premise 1: Gay “marriage” is not marriage.
No matter what a government may sanction, the biblical definition of marriage (see Gen. 2:18–25, Mal. 2:13–15, Matt. 19:4–6; Eph. 5:22–33) involves a man and a woman. I won’t belabor the point, because I assume in this post that I’m speaking to those who agree with the Westminster Confession of Faith when it says, “Marriage is to be between one gentleman and one woman” (WCF 24.1). Gay “marriage” is not only an offense to God—sanctioning a kind of sexual activity that the Bible condemns (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:24–27; 1 Cor. 6:9–10; 1 Tim. 1:9–10)—gay “marriage” does not actually exist.
Premise 2: A gay wedding celebrates and solemnizes a lie.
Whether the service is done in a church or in a reception hall, whether it is meant to be a Christian service or a secular commitment ceremony, a gay wedding declares what is false to be true and calls evil good.
Premise 3: Attendance at a gay wedding bears public witness to I have never attended, or even been invited to a same-sex wedding. If I were, I would feel very conflicted, especially if it were of a close family member. Would I go? This is a reality facing an increasing number of Christians who are committed to biblical orthodoxy and firmly believe that marriage can only be between one biological man and woman. Alistair Begg, a Scottish pastor ministering in America, recently caused controversy over pastoral advice given to a grandmother invited to join her grandchild’s wedding to a transgender person. He said it was matter of wisdom. Many possess criticised him, and he has been cancelled from some ministry opportunities. In an episode of his ‘Truth for Life’ podcast, Begg gave this advice: “Well, here’s the thing: your affection for them may hold them off guard, but your absence will simply reinforce the fact that they said, These people are what I always thought: judgmental, critical, unprepared to countenance anything”. He added that, as long as the grandson knew she was not “affirming” his life choices, “then I suggest that you accomplish go to the ceremony, and I suggest that you buy them a gift.” After Begg refused to retract h Answer
Should a Christian go to a gay wedding?
First, a word of encouragement: if you are the thoughtful of friend that a gay couple would invite to their wedding, then you are probably doing something right. When Jesus ministered, those who were despised by culture, the tax collectors and the sinners, drew near to Him (Matthew 9:10; Luke 15:1). He was a companion to them.
Further, no one sin is greater than another. All sin is offensive to God. Homosexuality is just one of many sins listed in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 that will preserve a person from the kingdom of God. We all sin and drop short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). It is only through Jesus Christ that we may be saved from sin’s eternal consequences. (Please see What does it denote that Jesus saves?)
Some would contend that a Christian should have no qualms about attending a gay wedding and that one’s presence at a lgbtq+ wedding does not necessarily indicate help for the queer lifestyle. Rather, they view it as extending Christ’s like toward a ally. The thought is that one’s presence at a wedding ceremony is an act of romance and friendship toward the person—not toward the lifestyle or spiritual choices. We do not hesitate to