Letter on Slavery – Some Further Thoughts

It has become almost obligatory in the debate on homosexual marriage for the proponents of this departure from biblical morality to draw a parallel between this and slavery.  In fact they are correct, but not in the way they imagine.

When the evangelical church in Switzerland addressed the issue of slavery (see previous post) they were speaking to an issue where the church was conforming to the world and departing from Scripture.  The culture accepted slavery, therefore the church, swayed by culture, also tolerated or even supported it.  The same can be said of homosexual marriage.  The culture now accepts it; the church swayed by culture conforms to the world and departs from Scripture and now proposes that we accept this practice. So in both the USA and Scotland the mainline presbyterian churches have defied Scripture and embraced that which the Bible condemns.

In the matter of slavery the Swiss argued from inference – there were no direct scriptural prohibitions.  In the case of homosexual marriage there are clear and repeated biblical prohibitions, nevertheless the pseudo-christian liberal church defies Scripture and sides with the godless culture.

Imagine that D'Aubigne and Guessen were writing to the church today, in particular to the professed evangelicals like Tony Compollo, who now embrace homosexual marriage. This letter, of course, would apply as much to Scotland as the USA.

Rewriting parts of the letter this is how it might read:

The following letter is from the pen of Rev. J. H. Merle D'Aubigne, D.D., of Geneva. But it is not only the voice of the historian of the Reformation  — the Protestantism of Europe here speaks to the Protestantism of America from a revered seat of our common faith, in tones so conciliatory and Christ like, that the most sensitive can not take offense. Will not the reader prayerfully consider this appeal, and also bring it to the knowledge of the church with which he is connected ?

To the Evangelical Christians of the United States of America.

Dearly beloved brethren in Christ our all-sufficient Saviour and common Head:

Now, dear brethren, we desire to express to you a thought which often presses itself upon our hearts. "We fear that the laws which establish and regulate homosexual marriage in several of your States, are a source of weakness, not only in your own dear country, but to her legitimate influence over other nations. We know that there are professed Christians in the United States who endorse this practice of homosexual marriage. We would assure them we come not to speak with them as enemies, but as brethren. We do not doubt that those among you who differ from us on this subject, are sincere and upright in their opinions. However, if we would speak in love, we must also speak in truth, and with that precious liberty which belongs to Christians.

Beloved brethren, if it is true, not only that homosexual marriage is established in several of your States, but that in many places it is unlawful to instruct the children in public school on a biblical ideal of marriage between one man and one woman; if other facts, which we prefer not to describe here, are true— we ask ourselves, and we would also ask you, if such laws are compatible with the eternal principles of Christianity, which we all are bound to obey?

We might doubtless bring forward other arguments. We might remind you that homosexual marriage is contrary to nature, and destructive of the family and society. But we prefer waiving such material considerations, and dwelling upon our argument in a Christian point of view.

It is as certain that homosexual marriage is opposed to the true spirit of Christianity and the direct teaching of Scripture. There are many texts in the New Testament which make this plain. Does the Holy Spirit, which changes the hearts of all in whom he dwells into temples of the Holy Ghost, make any allowance for such unlawful unions.

Such being the teaching of the Scriptures, do you not think with us, beloved brethren, that these principles suppress the spirit of sexual licence?  Christianity in general did not lay violent or imprudent hands on civil institutions, but spread its principles everywhere, and gave precepts to all men, the application of which was gradually to bring about the suppression of all homosexual abuses.

These considerations are important; but, we repeat, what particularly induces us to make an appeal to your consciences, is the system of laws, manifestly opposed to the precepts of Christianity, with which several of your States have been obliged to burden their legislation, in order to maintain homosexual marriage in the midst of you. It is not necessary to enumerate these laws; we know them from official documents published in Europe, and which have caused both astonishment and grief to the friends of religion, morality, and liberty. We are aware these laws do not exist in a good many of your States ; we know that, with the exception of one or two laws, legislation on homosexual marriage is local, instituted in their sovereign power by those States alone which maintain this practice. But that in no way prevents us from freely expressing the sentiments which animate us, either to just and moderate men, who doubtless are to be found in abundance in  all the Christians of the American Union.

If we mistake not, there are three classes of opinions and of persons in the United States, as to the present subject ; one is decidedly against homosexual marriage, another is decidedly in its favour ; but there is a medium class which hesitates ; and we think the moment has arrived when all those who belong to that class ought to decide before God and their conscience, wisely, but with courage and firmness. Between Christianity on one side, and utilitarianism on the other, we do not think that Christians should hesitate.

How often we have mourned to see radical Islam pointing to the existence of homosexual marriage in the United States! How often have we been tempted to exclaim: "Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon, lest the daughters of the Philistines triumph." (2 Sam. 1 : 20.)

Dear brethren, listen to these voices, which come from a far distant land at the foot of the Alps, from the city of the Reformation, and are raised in concert with those in France and other countries. We would entreat you by the most precious interests ; in the name of the prosperity of the Union, of the peace, of the glory of your country ; in the name of the cause of true liberty ; and, above all, of the holy and great cause of Christianity — to do all in your power, with an unflinching fidelity, to bring about the suppression of homosexual marriage and the establishment of a pattern of biblical marriage in your country. Let it be done with wisdom, with kindness, with justice, without disturbing the public peace, but, notwithstanding, as promptly and as universally as possible.

Should this step offend you, dear brethren, we pray you to forgive us. We conjure you to bear with us. We say with St. Paul to the Corinthians, "If we are foolish, it is for the love of you;" it is, we believe, for the glory of Jesus Christ ; it is because we thought that God, in a special manner, had called us so to do.

We live in solemn times. A new era is dawning on this question, not only in your country but in the whole civilized world. Universal attention is aroused. Everywhere public opinion pronounces with decision on this subject. The time is certainly come when America must give satisfaction to the claims of Christianity. We know that it is not easy to find the means of attaining that end. There will be many shoals and difficulties ; but we know that your people have more courage than any others to surmount all these obstacles, and that the Lord will give the victory to those who are on his side. Let nothing stop your progress ; combat the homosexual attack on marriage  in the spirit of the Gospel, and not in a mere worldly spirit. Seek, above all, the means of attaining this excellent end in a spirit of prayer. Look to the Word of God, to the spirit of Christianity, to the requirements of morality and liberty, and to Jesus the Redeemer, and thus go forward in the Lord's name. May God be your strength in this great, salutary, just, and Christian work. Let us assure you that such shall be our constant prayer !

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all,

Amen!