Understanding the images God gives us in Scripture is critical to how we address the issues of our time. Homosexuality and the drive to accept so-called same-sex marriage is one of these issues. We who hold to biblical principles find that same-sex marriage is repugnant. Those on the other side of the issue call us intolerant, loveless bigots. To avoid the epithets, we shrink back and do not offer counter-arguments.

What are we to think? First, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him” (Prov. 26:4). The fool is the unbeliever. He or she rejects Scripture and any argumentation opposed to the homosexual agenda. To argue is folly. Wait on God to send His Spirit to convict “concerning sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:8). When the Lord opens the door to conversation, be ready to speak about the great hope we have in Christ, but do it, as Peter advises, “with gentleness and reverence” (1 Pet. 3:15).

Second, “Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes” (Prov. 26:5). To do so, we must have answers, and we must be prepared to lovingly offer these answers over a period of time, as long as God sees fit to give us opportunity.

Two important images present strong arguments against so-called same-sex marriage. The first is God’s image in humankind. “God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply’” (Gen. 1:27-28). God’s image involves “male and female” and “be fruitful and multiply.” Therefore, same-sex marriage is a perversion of God’s image. It is the statement, “We’ll do it our way and not Your way!”

The second is the biblical image of Christ’s relationship with His church. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her….This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church” (Eph. 5:25, 32). “I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband” (Rev. 21:2). God intended the traditional wedding ceremony between and man and a woman, and the traditional marriage relationship between a man and a woman, to provide images of Christ’s relationship with the church.

Churches that approve of and conduct “weddings” for same-sex couples desecrate the images God created of Himself and of His love. Civil authorities that approve of and conduct weddings for same-sex couples not only denigrate God’s image but also desecrate the image God appoints to picture His relationship with His people. By their legislative and judicial acts, “They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (Rom. 1:25).

“But,” our opponents protest, “loving, monogamous same-sex marriage provides the same images of the loving relationship to which you refer.” However, so-called same-sex marriage is not the image of Himself that God gave to us. Neither is it the same image God gave to picture His relationship with His people. When we alter the exact image God gives us in preference to another image, we engage in idolatry.

The objective here is not to have quick answers that stifle conversation. No. When we are well grounded ourselves, we can be less defensive. We can also concentrate on lovingly engaging those whom God brings across our path.

—Dennis J. Prutow

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