Priests Who Don’t Want to Marry Same-Sex Couples? “Do Something Else”

Although the Church of Sweden is quite liberal (for example, they allow gay “marriages” and openly gay or lesbian clergy), they do allow priests to choose whether or not they want to perform a gay “marriage.” Half of the bishops in this denomination signed a letter “condemning the introduction of same-sex ‘marriage’ into the church.”

You Want to Be a Priest? Ignore the Bible and Agree with the Government!

He’s making himself, not God’s Word, the authority for morality.

Basically, this government official has decided that, to be a Christian clergy, you must agree with the government, not the Bible, on the issue of same-sex “marriage.” He’s making himself, not God’s Word, the authority for morality. He’s essentially put himself in the position of God and forcing his beliefs (false as they are) on others. Be warned: this is what the gay lobby wants in America—they’re not out for freedom for their ideas, but for intolerance of those who disagree.

Standing Up for Human Equality?

Löfven, who claims he is not religious (though everyone is indeed religious), says that “the church must stand up for human equality . . . the church binds society together and provides security” especially in turbulent and frightening times. Now, what does he mean by “equality”? The Bible does teach we are all equal before God, but also teaches there are roles for men and women, and that marriage is one man for one woman as God ordained it as our Creator.

As Christians we are called to defend the helpless, such as orphans and widows (James 1:27), and Christians have been doing that since the time of Christ. Biblical teaching upholds the dignity of every human being and declares we’re all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Although males and females have different roles in the family and the church, in Christ,

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28)

And

God shows no partiality. (Romans 2:11)

Christianity is all for equality—it’s taught in Scripture! It’s actually a Christian idea. What’s not taught in Scripture is the modern cultural idea that gay “marriage” is a civil rights issue. It’s not. It’s a moral issue. Homosexual behavior is sinful (Romans 1:26–27)—that’s the truth from the Creator who designed marriage and sexuality. But, like any other sin, we can find forgiveness and freedom from our sin in Christ and what he did for us on the Cross (1 Corinthians 6:9–11). That’s the message the church must teach—the message of the gospel!

Contrary to what the Swedish Prime Minster says, the church’s task is to

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

Human Equality . . . Really?

So Löfven wants “human equality.” But what about equality for Christians? Shouldn’t they be allowed to live according to their beliefs, including their belief—based on God’s Word—that homosexual behavior is sinful and that God’s design for marriage is for a man and a woman? Apparently “human equality” only extends to those who agree with the government.

And what about “human equality” for the unborn? Löfven agrees with the Swedish courts that a midwife must practice abortion in order to be a midwife in Sweden. What about equality for the unborn child? Apparently human equality doesn’t extend to those who are unborn, even though biblically and scientifically the unborn are 100% human. From the moment of fertilization all the information needed to form a unique human being is present. And apparently “human equality” doesn’t extend to midwives who don’t want to commit murder (because that’s what abortion really is!).

Löfven is being highly inconsistent, as secularists ultimately all are to one degree or another. He’s picking and choosing who deserves equality—and Christians and the unborn don’t fit the bill in his opinion!

Have You Not Read?

I have a few verses Prime Minister Löfven needs to consider.

So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:27)

Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

“Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’?” (Matthew 19:4–5)

Because God is the author of marriage—and, yes, sexuality and thus sexual morality—we need to look to his Word, not the government or popular opinions, to determine what is right and wrong.

Thanks for stopping by and thanks for praying,
Ken

This item was written with the assistance of AiG’s research team.