And who said “Timing is everything?”

Just prior to the North Carolina vote on the marriage amendment, you have Joe Biden supposedly “gaffing” again saying he is for marriage being redefined to include any combination of parties.  The White House appeared to be in a scramble as Jay Carney awkwardly navigated reporters questions about the president’s stance on Gay Marriage.  Interesting that this was all on the heels of the North Carolina vote and it gave the main stream media the headline for the week, “President for Gay Marriage” and not the significant North Carolina vote to maintain the sanctity of marriage.

 

Well from the past, then Senator Obama proclaimed that he was against it, and then while running for President at Saddleback Church in Irvine, CA in a sanctuary full of Christians he said, “As a Christian, I define marriage as being between a man and woman.”  In front of another group, he deferred to his base and said he was open to a redefinition of marriage.  Then after Biden’s alleged gaffe, in front of all parties, he declared himself as “evolving.”  And then this week, he finally decided to declare what we all knew to be true in spite of all the “flip flops,” our president is for homosexual marriage.

 

I don’t know why I am surprised maybe the word is “disappointed” only because Obama says he’s a Christian.  He says in the ABC-TV interview that he consulted with his friends and neighbors and Malia and Sasha became part of the focus group to determine his evolving process.  But what about God? do you think as a Christian that maybe he should have consulted God’s own word on the subject?  The God who says that He puts His word even above His name.  A Holy Name that some cultures will not even say.

 

I believe God is clear.  And I believe God is clear because He knew our inclination given a culture without rules.  And He also loved us enough to warn us and protect us.  Marriage is more than an institution.  Because it has been reduced to little else, our culture and dare I say, even the church has followed suit to reduce its holiness and significance, but even so it doesn’t take away or minimize from God’s intent.  

 

God Himself sanctified marriage and who are we or this self-absorbed culture to redefine God’s declaration and purpose.  Experience continues to demonstrate that when we go against God and His divine purposes we pay a horrendous price.  But do we see what is happening as a consequence of our choices? No we defiantly reject God’s warnings and remain in the fast lane of destruction leading to a day of final judgement by a God who loves us and knows our hearts.  So once again, like cultures previous we are faced with a choice between life and death, yes it has been and is that crucial.  In case you should have any doubt, God clearly says, that “Life” is the best answer, but the choice remains an individual one that only you can make.

 

 

 
Responding to the Latest Twist

 

They say we offer simple answers to complex problems. Well, perhaps there is a simple answer—not an easy answer—but simple:

If you and I have the courage to tell our elected officials that we want our national policy

based on what we know in our hearts is morally right.

-Ronald Reagan, 1964
 
Today, for the first time, President Obama publicly affirmed his support for same-sex marriage, a calculated political maneuver intended to energize his base in the months before the November presidential election.  

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304070304577394332545729926.html?mod=WSJ_hp_LEFTTopStories

 

At a time when most Americans’ primary concern is their ability to work to provide for their family,  as crippling debt, record deficits, and fragile global markets loom over the economy, the President seems intent on having a national conversation about life, love, and religious liberty.
 
So be it.
 
The Manhattan Declaration is a coalition of the historic Christian faiths united in support of the sanctity of every human life, marriage as the conjugal union of a man to a woman as the bedrock of society, and religious liberty as the cornerstone of freedom. We promote a culture of life, love, and liberty in many ways. One is to equip you, our advocates, with the best resources on these issues.
 
Below is a list of ten articles and videos on the subject of marriage. Take an hour to skim them. Don’t try to memorize the data or recite the arguments verbatim; rather, reflect on them. Allow your mind to absorb the broad principles. As the national conversation on this topic reaches a fever pitch in the next few days, you will be primed as a witness to the truth.
 
One final thought: this is not a war to be won in the blogosphere or on Facebook. We are teachers, co-workers, family members, and friends in relationship with those who have yet to see. Be gracious, be patient, and be kind.
 
 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. (Matthew 5:11)
 

by Sherif Girgis, Robert George, and Ryan T. Anderson
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1722155

 

Why I’m Optimistic About Natural Marriage
by Andrew Walker
http://www.mereorthodoxy.com/why-im-optimistic-about-natural-marriage/
 

Why Is Marriage Important? (video)
by John Piper
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nd3AmKexugM
 

Who Needs Marriage?
by Chuck Colson
http://www.breakpoint.org/the-center/columns/colson-files/17606-who-needs-marriage
 

(pps. 47-57)
by Matthew Lee Anderson
http://issuu.com/thecity/docs/thecitywinter2009/47?mode=embed&layout=http://skin.issuu.com/v/light/layout.xml&showFlipBtn=true
 

What Would Bonhoeffer Do?
by Eric Metaxas
http://www.breakpoint.org/the-center/columns/call-response/15129-metaxas-what-would-bonhoeffer-do
 

(Warning: YouTube contains objectionable content)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTE9zWaQc_Y
 

Religion, Reason, and Same-Sex Marriage
by Matthew J. Franck
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2011/05/religion-reason-and-same-sex-marriage
 

A Marriage in Full
by Gary A. Anderson
http://www.firstthings.com/article/2008/04/003-a-marriage-in-full-3
 

On Marriage and the Moral Limits of Human Sexuality
by Metropolitan Jonah
http://orthocath.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/metropolitan-jonah-on-marriage-and-the-moral-limits-of-human-sexuality/

 

 

There is a lot of great stuff I have failed to include in my list.   Share your favorite articles, blogs, and videos with us on our Facebook page.
 
Warmly,
Eric Teetsel
Executive Director, Manhattan Declaration

The Manhattan Declaration is a non-partisan statement of conscience in defense of human life, traditional marriage and religious freedom.