PFR statement is clear: No blessing
for same-gender partnerships in PCUSA
By Carmen Fowler , The Layman, August 21, 2009
Presbyterians for Renewal (PFR) has responded to the PCUSA’s General Assembly special committee studying issues of Civil Union and Christian marriage. Citing the Statement on the Gift of Marriage found in the Book of Common Worship’s service for Christian marriage, PFR argues that “the vision of creation found in Genesis 2 makes explicit that God’s gift of marriage is inextricably linked to our creation as male and female beings in God’s image.”
Referring to Genesis 2 as it appears again in the Scriptures on the lips of Jesus and the writings of Paul, PFR’s statement makes the strong assertion that “the creation of the sexes is the creation of marriage,” and “the shape of marriage as the union of one man and one woman is not ours to alter.”
Identifying seminal texts on the prohibition of homosexual relations, there is no equivocating in PFR’s statement in terms of the Biblical standards of human sexual behavior and Christian disciples, even in the context of culture that allows for other expressions. “As followers of Jesus, we are committed to live in faithfulness to Scripture, regardless of the license that may be given by secular law or the current caprice of an ever-changing culture.”
The presentation then turns to the PCUSA’s mutually agreed upon constitutional standards for sexual behavior (Book of Order, G-6.0106b) among not only its ordained leadership, but PFR affirms, standards that apply to all Christians. “This standard is explicit for ordained officers, but as Reformed Christians, we reject any two-tiered system of righteousness that would hold those called to ordained ministry to a higher standard than any other Christian.”
The clarion paragraph of the statement reads: “Presbyterians for Renewal believes that for the PCUSA to bless or tolerate any kind of same-gender partnerships within the Christian community, or sexual relationships outside the covenant of marriage, would be to violate the expressed will of Christ set forth in Scripture. In an age of sexual chaos and confusion, it is imperative that the Christian community reaffirm in word and in practice that marriage between a man and a woman is God’s good provision for human well-being, for the ordering of society and family life, and the only relationship within which sexual union is appropriate and blessed by God.”
Comparisons to the call to the Christians in Corinth are made and an appeal issued, “In a post-Christian culture, it is time for the followers of Jesus to return to our counter-cultural roots, drawing our identity and norms not from a lost and confused world, but from Christ alone.”
To read the entire statement is posted on PFR’s Web site.