The Truth About Same-Sex Marriage
by Erwin Lutzer
Reviewed by Nathan Battey
by Erwin Lutzer
Reviewed by Nathan Battey
Though the battle for same-sex marriage has been raging for years, many are just now awakening to the sounds of war, and others are attempting to stay uninvolved. Are the Lord’s people truly aware of what is at stake in this conflict? Are they aware of how this debate is going to affect the Church in the near future? Are they prepared to fight for truth while still trying to win lost souls? Where do you find yourself in the midst of this turmoil? Are you prepared to answer the issues this controversy brings to the Church? Are you able to equip others to strike a blow for truth? If not, then you need to get a copy of this book, study it in light of the Scriptures, and engage yourself in the struggle for truth and Christianity.
The purpose of this work is basically threefold in nature:
1- To warn and educate people of the danger and importance of this issue.
2- To equip people with answers to some of the tough questions raised by advocates of same-sex marriage.
3- To remind people of the proper attitude that must be displayed while engaging in discussions.
Many people do not realize the enormity of what is at stake. Marriage, the family, children, and the Church are all under the threat of attack at this very moment. Same-sex marriage is not about equality; it is about dominance. Mr. Lutzer shows that with the legalizing of same-sex marriage comes the destruction of marriage as we know it. He establishes this fact by demonstrating what has happened in other countries where such laws have already been passed. Even after gay and lesbian couples are granted the right to legally marry only 10% of them take advantage of their new right. Why? Because they’re not interested in getting married; they simply want to destroy the monogamous heterosexual concept of marriage. Furthermore, the small percentage of couples that do take advantage of the ability to get married do not share a monogamous relationship (each married partner has an average of five other homosexual partners). Though marriage has already taken quite a hit from the decline of America’s morality, the legalizing of same-sex marriage will bring it to a whole new kind of low.
With the demolition of marriage also comes the demise of the family and children in particular. The homosexual community has gone to great efforts in an attempt to show that same-sex unions do not have an adverse affect on the children entrusted to them. However, Mr. Lutzer shows the bias and truth about these studies that the general populace never sees. He shows that the children are in fact the ultimate losers in this whole debacle.
With the legalization of same sex marriage will also come a redefinition of freedom of speech and what constitutes hate crimes. Thus, a suppression of human rights will have an adverse effect on the Church and freedom of religion. Again, Mr. Lutzer draws these conclusions by referencing the trends of other countries that have legalized same-sex marriage and by quoting from many prominent leaders among same-sex advocates. Prepare to have your eyes opened to a lurking darkness.
So, the question facing the Lord’s Church is: How do we respond? The answer is given in two parts:
First, we need to equip ourselves with as much knowledge of truth as possible. This includes becoming equipped with a proper understanding of the Word of God and a working knowledge of the arguments of evil. I believe Mr. Lutzer gives some great aids in both of these areas.
Second, we must always make sure we conduct ourselves as Christians clothed with a proper attitude. I often see well-meaning Christians rant on Facebook and other venues in a way that can only do harm to the cause. We must always speak the truth in love and recognize that we are trying to win lost souls. We must show the evil nature of the false argument, while at the same time expressing concern for the souls in error: This is what is known as tact. May we learn and utilize Christian tact.
The only point at which I disagree with Lutzer is how we are to approach Christians that are practicing homosexuals. His approach is that we embrace them and try to love away their behavior (i.e. never turn them away). Though we must express love and concern for any erring child of God, we are not at liberty to determine which expression of love we are to utilize when a child of God practices sins of immorality. 1 Corinthians 5 lays out the expression of love God expects His children to utilize, and in this instance it requires separation. May we never forget that this is an expression of love legislated by God and that His methods do work (and protect).
All in all I highly recommend this book to everyone who will read it. This issue is not going to go away, and the longer Christians avoid the issue the greater the consequences to the Kingdom.
The purpose of this work is basically threefold in nature:
1- To warn and educate people of the danger and importance of this issue.
2- To equip people with answers to some of the tough questions raised by advocates of same-sex marriage.
3- To remind people of the proper attitude that must be displayed while engaging in discussions.
Many people do not realize the enormity of what is at stake. Marriage, the family, children, and the Church are all under the threat of attack at this very moment. Same-sex marriage is not about equality; it is about dominance. Mr. Lutzer shows that with the legalizing of same-sex marriage comes the destruction of marriage as we know it. He establishes this fact by demonstrating what has happened in other countries where such laws have already been passed. Even after gay and lesbian couples are granted the right to legally marry only 10% of them take advantage of their new right. Why? Because they’re not interested in getting married; they simply want to destroy the monogamous heterosexual concept of marriage. Furthermore, the small percentage of couples that do take advantage of the ability to get married do not share a monogamous relationship (each married partner has an average of five other homosexual partners). Though marriage has already taken quite a hit from the decline of America’s morality, the legalizing of same-sex marriage will bring it to a whole new kind of low.
With the demolition of marriage also comes the demise of the family and children in particular. The homosexual community has gone to great efforts in an attempt to show that same-sex unions do not have an adverse affect on the children entrusted to them. However, Mr. Lutzer shows the bias and truth about these studies that the general populace never sees. He shows that the children are in fact the ultimate losers in this whole debacle.
With the legalization of same sex marriage will also come a redefinition of freedom of speech and what constitutes hate crimes. Thus, a suppression of human rights will have an adverse effect on the Church and freedom of religion. Again, Mr. Lutzer draws these conclusions by referencing the trends of other countries that have legalized same-sex marriage and by quoting from many prominent leaders among same-sex advocates. Prepare to have your eyes opened to a lurking darkness.
So, the question facing the Lord’s Church is: How do we respond? The answer is given in two parts:
First, we need to equip ourselves with as much knowledge of truth as possible. This includes becoming equipped with a proper understanding of the Word of God and a working knowledge of the arguments of evil. I believe Mr. Lutzer gives some great aids in both of these areas.
Second, we must always make sure we conduct ourselves as Christians clothed with a proper attitude. I often see well-meaning Christians rant on Facebook and other venues in a way that can only do harm to the cause. We must always speak the truth in love and recognize that we are trying to win lost souls. We must show the evil nature of the false argument, while at the same time expressing concern for the souls in error: This is what is known as tact. May we learn and utilize Christian tact.
The only point at which I disagree with Lutzer is how we are to approach Christians that are practicing homosexuals. His approach is that we embrace them and try to love away their behavior (i.e. never turn them away). Though we must express love and concern for any erring child of God, we are not at liberty to determine which expression of love we are to utilize when a child of God practices sins of immorality. 1 Corinthians 5 lays out the expression of love God expects His children to utilize, and in this instance it requires separation. May we never forget that this is an expression of love legislated by God and that His methods do work (and protect).
All in all I highly recommend this book to everyone who will read it. This issue is not going to go away, and the longer Christians avoid the issue the greater the consequences to the Kingdom.
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