Of recent we have been writing in regard to the vote to retain the current definition of the Marriage Act. These writings have been in the form of an email and an addition to a blog. The essence of these communiqués is to ask Christians not to lose sight of true reality of what has transpired in the Providential winning of this vote.
It must be understood, and understood well, that the vote was only in regard to the definition contained in the Marriage Act. It was not a denunciation of homosexuality. It was not a recognition of God’s sovereign rule through and over marriage. It was not a promotion of Christian morality. It was nothing more than a vote concerning the current definition of marriage as made by our parliament!
Why do we labour this point? Very simple. If we do not grasp this fact, we will find ourselves blindsided by a renewed attack on exactly the same topic. Let me go one step further and remove this from the realm of possibility and place it in the realm of probability by saying, ‘When the renewed attack comes!’ Christians have gained nothing through this recent vote but a momentary reprieve. That is all. The war was not won. The battle still rages!
Why is this? It is because parliament voted on only a definition. Let me explain. When this vote was won, did we see more legislation introduced to make sure that this definition could never be changed? No, we did not. Did we see an effort to add a clause recognising that God alone is the Author of marriage and that the definition must be what He has commanded? No, we did not. Was there an effort to introduce legislation that would repeal homosexual rights and send these people back into the closet from whence they came? No, there was not. Rather, what we heard was conciliatory comments. Tony Abbott sacrificed Cory Bernardi on the altar of humanistic political correctness for the heinous crime of “speaking the truth.” Julia Gillard made noises about bringing the “gay games” to Australia. So, we arrive at today.
What is important about today? Well in the current context it is the following news headline “Gay dads eligible for paid parental leave”. Here is the proof of the pudding, so to speak, illustrating that as a nation we are morally conflicted and on a path that will see us implode. In a matter of weeks we have gone from upholding the current definition on marriage to paying homosexuals to raise children. Well, actually, it is worse than that; far worse! We are now putting them on an equal footing with true fathers – the fathers who follow God’s pattern and take to themselves a wife that they may know the blessing of God by being fruitful.
During the recent debate on marriage, a number of emails crossed my screen asking Christians to write to Members of Parliament and oppose the proposed changes. This I could support. However, I was critical of some of the content, specifically the urging to tell these people that children need a “mum and a dad.” I was critical of these inane arguments because, in essence, they mean nothing. Let me illustrate it this way. When the issue of homosexual marriage was first raised, politicians trotted out the current definition as though it were a defence. I argued then that such was no comfort because all that was required was a change to the “definition”. In other words, the politicians did not have a solid moral position from which to argue. All they had was a political definition that was open to change. What did we eventually see? We saw a proposal to change that definition. Similarly, the “mum and dad” argument is flawed in the same way. What is a mum or a dad? The Christians reading this probably think that I have lost the plot. ‘Of course we know how to define a mum and a dad!’, they would exclaim. This is true, but it is only true because they understand these terms, not from tradition, but from God’s revelation. What does the modern humanist make of these terms? To him they are as malleable as those definitions in the marriage act.
Consider these statements from the news article cited. First, even though we have just had “traditional” marriage upheld, we nonetheless find nonsense statements like; “It is the exact scheme which will be used by fathers in conventional households from January 1.” Pray tell, what is a conventional household? If we break the words down to their base meaning, we must understand that we are talking about a household defined by common consent. However, note also that it is a “household” not a family. Thus, we are immediately confronted with a redefinition. The language used belies the fact that there is an open effort to obscure truth in order to parallel the Biblically defined family with the “conventional household” – as defined by finite man in the present.
Second, we note these words: “In a same sex household one of the men will have to nominate as the primary carer if they want the 18 week parental leave, and the other as the “dad”.” So let us cut through the speech of Political Correctness and get to the heart of the matter. In a situation where there are two men, one must identify themselves as the Primary Care Giver – please read MUM – and the other as the DAD. So, there you have it. Within a few weeks of supposedly upholding the current definition of marriage, we see moves from the Government which push vigorously in the opposite direction. We see the terms “mum”, “dad”, and “family” being redefined. As stated earlier, the issue concerning the appropriate definition of marriage is not over. The battle continues.
Please, take up the fight. We cannot be lulled into a false sense of security, thinking that we have won something when we have gained nothing. Be on the lookout for abuses in the media where they yet again introduce obscure language to the masses so that the abominable may become acceptable. It is this type of “watering down process” that must be indentified and rejected. Write to politicians asking them to shore up marriage against attacks. Point out to them the hypocrisy of supporting “gay rights” and true marriage – it is akin to those who try to combine evolution with creation. Point out that every perversion, homosexual or heterosexual, is an attack on marriage and the family. Last, but by no means least, may I ask you to argue Biblically.
I know a good few Christian organisations who have fought hard in this and other battles. I do not in any way wish to detract from them or their work. However, I would posit that the events of recent years have shown us that the so called “logical” arguments are of little value. As illustrated above, we are witnessing a war based on definitions. Unless we come to the table armed with God’s word, then we will simply be trading “logic” for “logic” or human understanding for human understanding. The only thing that makes the Christian’s argument impenetrable is the very fact that it is God’s word! We have no magical ability bestowed upon us. Our faculties are not made magically better than other men. Our strength lies in the Word of God. Our “magical ability” is in fact a Divine ability – the Holy Spirit. The blessed third Person of the Trinity teaching us of Christ and the Father as they have revealed themselves in the Bible. This my friends is the Power of God. We should not so easily abandon the weapons that God has entrusted to His Church nor make light of their effectiveness. The weapons of our warfare are divine and effective for tearing down strongholds. They are not shaped or fashioned after the wisdom of this world. Not at all. They are of the Age to come. Fashioned, shaped, and appointed by God Himself.
Marriage, Men, Women, Mum, Dad, Family are all terms that have become interpretable to the modern mind because that mind is neither governed by God nor instructed of God by outward means such as preaching or law. Thus, we must make every effort once again to inject, as in the days of old, the Word of God into every sphere, including the way we as Christians think and act.
May I urge you to ‘strike while the iron is hot.’ Write to Mr. Abbott and ask why he treated Mr. Bernardi so poorly. Write to your local member and ask them what they are doing to ensure that attacks on marriage cease. Write to Mr. Bernardi and encourage him. We need men to speak such truth in the halls of parliament. Write some letters to your local paper. Point out the incongruity of things like “gay dad”. Most of all, pray the Father in heaven through Jesus Christ to grant wisdom for the fight, opportunity to carry the fight to the enemy; and victory in this battle. As mentioned, we need to grasp that the path to victory here means repealing Acts and Legislation that go back to the early Seventies – and that is for starters. It is for this reason that, we must also be praying for the Revival of Christ’s Church in this nation and beseeching God to send forth His Spirit. Truly, it will only be when the Holy Spirit brings heartfelt conviction of error that we will see change in ourselves and in our nation.
May God be with you in this task and endow you with courage.
“This post was originally circulated as an email on October2, 2012.”