I am deeply disappointed and grieved over the Supreme Court’s decision ratifying same-sex marriage.
These are my thoughts on the court’s decision.
First, as an American I am deeply disappointed that the Supreme Court of the United States has determined to try cases in the court of public opinion. In my high school civics class, it was never imagined that the highest court in the land decided issues based on majority opinion.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the court has created laws, but it is certainly one of its most egregious decisions. In 1857, the court effectively endorsed slavery, resulting in our horrendous civil war. In 1973, the court created a right to abortion that has resulted in the deaths of more than 50 million Americans.
Second, I am deeply disturbed about the Supreme Court demolishing the democratic process. Of the states which have legalized same-sex marriage only four voted to do so. To the contrary, 50 million Americans have voted for the definition of marriage known for 5000 years and rooted in the natural law.
Third, I have great concerns that “sexual rights” have now trumped religious rights. In fact, the head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission made that statement. He said that where sexual rights and religious rights intersect sexual rights must take precedence.
Where will this slippery slope take us? On the day of the court decision, Politico.com posted an article stating “the most natural advance next for marriage lies in legalized polygamy.” The article quoted the dissent of Chief Justice John Roberts who noted “It is striking how much of the majority’s reasoning would apply with equal force to the claim of a fundamental right to plural marriage.”
The author of the piece argued: “Now that we’ve defined that love and devotion and family isn’t driven by gender alone, why should it be limited to just two individuals?”
You can see that this can quickly lead to the loss of religious freedom. This has major implications for people with deeply held religious beliefs. Businesses, churches, religious schools, and pastors will be affected.
Tomorrow I plan to write on what we can do in response to this ruling. I hope that you will read tomorrow and engage in discussion of what a proper Christian response should be.
Fourth, Bible believing Christians have the responsibility not to go silent in the face of the coming ridicule in the media and pressure from the government. We must speak the truth in love but speak the truth we must. All people – – religious and nonreligious – – will stand before God in the judgment. We must not shirk our responsibility to be watchmen for a society gone woefully wrong.
The day will come when all will stand before the highest court of all and give account of our actions. Let us be faithful to tell the many who want to hear of the unchanging Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Please join me tomorrow as we talk about our response to the new reality in America.
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18 Responses
Thank you Dr. Bailey. I am looking forward to your message tomorrow. The truth must be spoken. We cannot remain silent any longer. It grieves my spirit what is happening to our children’s and grandchildren’s future.
As a seminary grad student, I am called on the carpet to explain my stance on the recent decision. I look forward to your post tomorrow.
Scott, I hope it will be helpful to you and others. Please pray I will be able to communicate effectively.
We are in a downward spiral in this country. For the sake of our children and grandchildren we as Christians must stand up for what is right and be heard.
Enjoyed watching our church service Sunday live while in Houston.
Thank you for addressing this issue. I have forwarded it to several friends and relatives. I look forward to reading your post tomorrow. These are very scary times but we know God will is in control. Love and respect you.
we live in a time when everything is ok. The line between a christian and a non christian is almost non existent. When will christian’s stand up and say enough? We stand by and we have become the silent majority. We allow babies to be destroyed and now this. If you say anything you are a radical bible thumper. You don’t even hear messages much more in church about the right and wrongs of the world because we might offend someone. Pastors like Dr. Bailey need our prayers more than ever. Lord I thank you for pastors like Dr. Bailey and Jay and I pray for them and their family for grace, strength, guidance and peace. Thank you for loving them and the work they do in pastorland. Amen
Thanks, Jim. Pastorland is always a little easier when you talk about it.
Thank you, Dr.Bailey. Praying for all Pastors and leaders in our churches. Yes, as a christian, we must stand firm. Pray for our country to return to ONE GREAT NATION UNDER GOD RULING. Are we living as Romans 1:28? Praying.
Thank you my brother and fellow pastor. We are reaping what has been sown over many decades of sin and disregard for the standards of the Word of God and what we have allowed to be taught to people both overtly and covertly by the world and our “enjoyment” of sinful, loose living. We must stand in and for the truth in the pulpit and in the public place. In days to come we will need one another more than we may realize even now. The attack on truth has been given more ammunition than ever before, therefore we must stand strong together.
Ronald, you are so right. While the consequences of this are horrendous, God can and will use even this for good. Bible believing churches are going to become closer now.
Great post as always. I had OT under you at NOBTS in 1979. I have so much respect for your knowledge and work ethic.
Thank you so much. I loved teaching OT and Hebrew. I met many wonderful people.
Just another thought. In the dissenting opinion it was stated “what will keep us from having multiple partners in marriage?” This is such a relevant question and honestly we are probably not far from making that mistake as well. Although it may be further in the future I also can see that at some point there will be no age guidelines. If gender is no longer an issue why should age be one? Sounds ludicrous now but I can see a time when 12-14 year olds for instance will be allowed to marry 18-21 year olds. Just for clarification I would be violently opposed to this. I am simply saying that we are not as far as we think from reaching this extreme. All of this is done under the guise of personal rights. We have become so careful about not offending anyone that we have forgotten that our actions are still offensive to our heavenly Father.
David, all of this would have been ludicrous just a few years ago.
One of the problems the SCOTUS decision created is the denigration of children. They are concerned about adult happiness, not the needs of children. Therefore, the issue of age may not be far-fetched at all.
Dr. Bailey, I regularly read your blog. One of many things I admire about your leadership is that you do not shy away from the tough topics. I sometimes see Christian leaders who smile, quickly proclaim God is love, and effectively skirt the difficult issue at hand. Nevertheless, your commentary is correct. I draw particular attention to your third point that “’sexual rights’ have now trumped religious rights.” As a trial lawyer, I know our high courts cannot avoid the impending showdown between religious liberty and “sexual rights” following last Friday’s ruling. I foresee this conflict developing into either an eternal nitpicking quagmire of judicial case-by-case analysis (unlikely) or a judicial mandate of religious submissiveness (likely). Personally, I cannot envision a reasonable compromise. I think the two doctrines are mutually exclusive. How can 1st Amendment free exercise of religion be guaranteed while simultaneously upholding last Friday’s decision? Logically, it cannot. One doctrine trips up the other. But, as Chief Justice John Roberts correctly pointed out in his dissent, the freedom to exercise religion is expressly spelled out in our Constitution, “unlike the right imagined by the majority”. I see little reassurance of 1st Amendment religious freedom in the Supreme Court’s opinion. In fact, the opinion is unusually quiet on the 1st Amendment. How are Christians protected to live their lives according to their faith in light of this decision? I do not think Christian can live according to their faith without impinging upon “sexual rights” guaranteed by the Supreme Court. Unfortunately, many people only read the 1st Amendment as a general guarantor of the freedoms of religion, speech, and press. As far as religious freedom, the First Amendment actually states that it guarantees the “free exercise” of religion. I see an important distinction between “freedom of religion” and “free exercise” of religion. The latter is more specific and provides broader protections. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, I also anticipate a dominant and submissive interaction between “sexual rights” and “free exercise” of religion. The Christian church has always been under attack. But, I cannot remember American history recording such broad and intense persecution of Christians. Last Friday’s Supreme Court decision is only the beginning.
I regularly read your blog but I have never commented. However, I feel strongly about your fourth point: Christians must not remain silent in the face of coming ridicule and pressure. I would rather others know that I believe our free exercise of religion trumps and must not be restricted.
I appreciate your written thoughts today and I look forward to your commentary tomorrow.
Years ago as a young, newly Spirit-filled Christian, I heard Marilyn Hickey say (paraphrasing here) that “if America goes to Hell in a hand basket it’ll not be the the fault of Godless unbelievers but of Christians who’ve failed to stand in the gap and do what God has called us to do.” How prophetic! We are reaping what we have sown, or, more accurately, failed to sow. We have confused love and compassion with tolerance, discernment with approval, and Godly wisdom with human knowledge. We, me included, have taken our religious freedom for granted, by not seizing the opportunity we’ve been afforded to win the hearts and souls of our compatriots for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Now we have a burgeoning Muslim, Mormon and Jehovah Witness populace, along with a Godless number of people who have seized control of our governing bodies. Now is the time for all born again, God-fearing peoples to stand tall and face, with conviction and His peace, the persecution that is coming our way. I’ve read the end of the story: He will prevail!
I await your next installment with joy. Thank you for your faith and leadership in these troubled days.
Thank You Dr. Bailey!
I will continue to pray for you, our country, and our families … write on.
My number one concern about same sex marriages is how it affects children.
Question: How did the same sex union jump from ‘Civil Unions’ to ‘Marriage’?
….. and why? I think it is to have access to innocent children.
Just because it ‘may’ become law… doesn’t make it right, like other allowed and protected evils.
Obviously, the whole problem is lack of God and ignorance of Biblical precepts.
I am a silent Christian no more.
… my right and responsibility.
May God be the glory and honor.
You are so right, Doc. A few years ago one would have been admonished to even mention same sex marriage, transgender bathrooms, among other dastardly behavior. But, you know me, and I often think out-of-the-box. May heaven forbid what I am about to predict. There will come a time when people will marry(or desire to) their pets! Keep up the good work. I have your back.