On May 15 the California Supreme Court ruled that the state’s marriage laws are discriminatory and that homosexual couples will be allowed to apply for marriage licenses and get married. What a tragedy that the state of California has further sanctioned a sinful sexual relationship.

“California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George wrote for the majority ‘In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognized that an individual’s capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual’s sexual orientation’” (Chicago Tribune, 5/16/2008 p. 19).

This is their definition of marriage: loving, long-term, and responsibility? Could not the families of the children evacuated from the polygamist compound in Texas describe their relationships as loving, long-term, and responsible? Would the relationship between father and step-daughter in Lolita be similarly described by some? What has made homosexuality a more acceptable sexual deviancy than pedophilia or polygamy?

According to the California any relationship that could be substantiated to the court as loving, long-term, and responsible should be given sanction to marry. Ironically, when divorce, abuse, and neglect are taken into account, more than fifty percent of traditional marriages wouldn’t qualify under this definition (with Hollywood couples giving us high-profile examples).

When we are confronted by the world we must not call a good thing evil and an evil thing good, but instead, call a thing what it actually is (Luther’s Heidelberg Theses, 21). We must call homosexuality what it is: sinful. Then, we can bring the gospel to our neighbors in this world as they trapped in this sin (as we ourselves are trapped in so many others). When churches and governments call an evil thing good and good things evil they have fallen out of their God-given callings and forsaken their neighbors, their brothers and sisters in Christ, and sentenced them to live continually in sin. We would no sooner allow our brothers and sisters to persist in the sins of stealing, murder, or adultery than we can sanction homosexuality.

This is to frame homosexuality together with all sins which consume this world and to place yourselves into the same boat as homosexuals and everyone who needs God’s law and gospel to set us free from sin and death. This is not a matter of elevating ourselves over our neighbor (this too would be sinful), but rather acknowledging that we, like them, need the grace of God won for us by Jesus Christ. It is also a matter of the church of God proclaiming His Word in its fullness and truth.

How then shall we live? Love your neighbor. Pray for them, share God’s Word with them, and seek to rescue them from all manner of sinfulness just as you yourself embrace and hold fast to the work of Jesus and the new life that you have in him.

So goes one of my favorite lines from “The Great Space Coaster” (though I could have sworn it was “The Muppet Show,” thanks Rev. Juhl) But, it doesn’t take a wildebeest telling you to know that sometimes what ISN’T in the news is just as newsworthy as what is.

You get your news from a lot of different sources. Based on the job you have, the school you attend, the church to which you belong, or the other organizations you follow, you get newsletters, briefs, press releases, and reports all the time. These types of news really amount to commentary or editorials as their content is carefully chosen to send a specific message.

The same has been said about mass media. Americans value the freedom of the press so that when there is bad news or scandal, the powerful and influential to whom it may be damaging cannot stifle the truth. Be savvy enough to understand that the news that is (or more importantly is NOT) reported can tell us about the agenda of the source.

So, take in your news with a discerning eye. Sometimes what you know to be news is omitted by the obvious news venues where it should belong because it is embarrassing to source or would portray the group in a bad light. That isn’t a source of news. That’s a propaganda machine.

(here’s a clip)

The article begins with “Yonatan Gher and his partner, who are Israeli, plan eventually to tell their child about being made in India, in the womb of a stranger, with the egg of a Mumbai housewife they picked from an Internet lineup.”

Go here to see the article.

Each day our lives are impacted by sin. It could be our own sinful actions and nature, the tragic effects of the earth itself being corrupted (disasters, for example), and the sinful actions of others perpetrated against us. An example of the latter is abusive relationships. I don’t have first-hand experience, neither abusing nor having been abused, but I have counseled my brothers and sisters in Christ who have become entangled in such evil.

It was just recently that I was asked about such abuse. “What have I done to deserve this?” “Is it wrong for me to want to escape? If I stay, I can continue to be a witness to the Gospel and forgiveness. If I escape, aren’t I abandoning them to their sin?”

Are these your questions? Are these the questions of your friends or loved ones? Is someone perhaps asking these questions about your own actions?

If you are so entangled, know that our Lord Jesus has not forgotten you, he has not forsaken you, and he has not turned his back on you during these trying times. He knows what it is to feel the sting of the sin of another. He felt the sting of scourge and nails for the sins of the whole world, even these sins of abuse.

We feel the sting of such evil in our lives because we are still living here in this veil of tears. Jesus’ promises of bliss and tranquility are the promises of the new Heaven and new Earth. His assurances for this life are of trial, persecution, and suffering. We will have crosses to bear, we will have sicknesses (of body and mind), we will have tears and sadness. As these touch your life you are not loved any less by God. How could you be? You are already loved perfectly by God in Christ Jesus. You are loved fully and completely.

The nature of evil and why pain must exist in this life must wait for another post. What shall we do then when we find ourselves trapped in the cycle of abuse, codependency, and danger? I humbly offer these suggestions, links to expert information, and my most sincere prayers for all who abuse and all whom they abuse.

1. Escape. Find a way out of the relationship. You are worth much more in God’s eyes, in the eyes of your brothers and sisters in Christ, and to someone who would truly love you as a lover ought to.
2. In your escape, seek out care for those who have suffered abuse. The damage is deeper than the bruises, cuts, and the unspeakable. There is help to heal your body, mind, and soul.
3. You are not guilty. The blood of Jesus covers all your sins, and your having been abused is not a sin of yours. All the same, the guilt which you feel is taken away in the suffering, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Seek out where you may immerse yourself in the spiritual care of God’s Word and Sacraments.
4. Don’t be afraid. You grades may suffer. You may miss work. You may need to move. You may need to sever common ties between you and your abuser. Don’t be afraid. Your teachers/professors are glad that you are safe. Your pastor is thankful that you are free. Any boss should rejoice that his worker is free. Anyone worthy of being called your friend will also rejoice.
5. Your brothers and sisters in Christ are here to love you and care for you. You may need help packing, moving, driving, hiding, and surviving. The Body of Christ exists to care for the Body of Christ and to care for all people.

Finally, here are a few links that you may find helpful. Try to find a shelter in your area, friends who will help you, doctors who can care for you, and a pastor who can bring the Gospel to you. These are God’s gifts to bring you safely through.

In danger? Call 911.

Shelters in some major cities:
Austin, Texas: 512-267-SAFE (7233)
Chicago, Illinois
Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas
Detroit, Michigan
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Houston, Texas

National Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Lord Jesus, quickly come, that the darkness of these earthly days would be replaced by the perpetual light of your grace and glory which is our inheritance by your death and resurrection. In your holy name we pray. Amen.

Dr. Adam Francisco is one of our newest professors. He also is an expert in the field of Islam. He is leading a day-long seminar on April 19, 2008 on a Christian response to Islam. Here is a pdf of the seminar brochure.