Episode 450 Show Notes
From the Show
Marriage, as you know, is grounded in God’s purpose in creation. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and his mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh” (Genesis 2:4). It’s also quoted by Jesus and by Paul. So, yes, people who are in same-sex ceremonies are not really married in God’s eyes. The state has decided it can create a new institution that doesn’t actually exist. It’s not that your son is marrying a guy. The bigger issue here is that your son has determined he’s exempt from God’s commands and that means he needs to hear God’s law but also, of course, the gospel. He needs to know that there is no sin that God doesn’t forgive if we agree with him that it is sin and we turn from it and embrace Christ alone.
—Michael Horton
Questions in this Episode
1. Does the Holy Spirit dwell within a believer physically or relationally? I read in the Old Testament that the Holy Spirit came into and onto people and I don’t know if that gives guidance to my New Testament understanding. Whether right or wrong on this, should it affect my understanding of the baptizing, filling or works of the Holy Spirit?
2. Could you please explain Open Theism to me? I don’t understand how I can trust God if it is true. How Can God not know the future? If he is waiting for us and reacting to our choices, how can we trust in his promises? Can you give me some Bible verses to stand on?
3. If God doesn’t alwasy deliver us from great persecution or suffering, how I can trust God to be a merciful and loving God. All the Psalms and Proverbs tell us that he is there and he will protect us, when obviously that is not what happened. I have a very difficult time aligning that in my mind and the verses in the Scripture, which I trust to be the Word of God and the truth. Please help me with that.
4. I’m trying to figure out whether or not to attend my son’s gay wedding ceremony. He knows that I do not believe gay marriage is actually marriage, but he still wants me to be at the ceremony. A friend recommended that I attend the ceremony but not the reception as there will be same-sex dancing, kissing, and celebrating. I would appreciate your thoughts.
Resources
Rediscovering the Holy Spirit: God’s Perfecting Presence in Creation, Redemption, and Everyday Life by Michael Horton
True vs False Repentance: Whats the Difference? by Adriel Sanchez
10 Things You Need to Know about Homosexuality and the Bible by Michael Horton
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