“Matthew Vines’ “God and the Gay Christian,” released April 22 by Convergent Books, also cites Augustine, John Chrysostom, John Calvin and C.S. Lewis in the course of arguing that Scripture allows monogamous same-sex marriage. Vines admits that Christians throughout history condemned homosexuality, but he writes that most did not understand the modern concept of homosexual “orientation” and that aspects of their thought lend support to the argument for gay marriage.”

A new book attempting to make a biblical case for homosexual marriage asserts that John Piper and Tim Keller hold “core principles” that “should cause them to reconsider” their opposition to same-sex marriage. But both Piper and Keller have argued in recent writings that homosexual acts and desires are sins.

Matthew Vines’ “God and the Gay Christian,” released April 22 by Convergent Books, also cites Augustine, John Chrysostom, John Calvin and C.S. Lewis in the course of arguing that Scripture allows monogamous same-sex marriage. Vines admits that Christians throughout history condemned homosexuality, but he writes that most did not understand the modern concept of homosexual “orientation” and that aspects of their thought lend support to the argument for gay marriage.

However, a survey of the authors cited by Vines suggests they were well acquainted with homosexuality as they opposed it.

Piper’s Desiring God ministry declined to offer a response to Vines when contacted by Baptist Press but emphasized Piper’s “clear stance on the issue,” pointing to an October 2013 podcast in which Piper answered the question, “If one of your family members invited you to their so-called same-sex marriage ceremony, would you attend it?”

Piper, former pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church in Minneapolis, said he would not attend such a marriage ceremony because “this union, if you can dare to call it that, is not being joined in heaven.”

“Jesus said, ‘What God has joined together, let no man separate,'” Piper said. “This is what makes weddings awesome. They are not human accomplishments. God joins a man and a woman. … This pairing of two men or two women is not being joined in heaven. And to give the impression that it is, is an offense to heaven.”

Vines cited Piper six times and argued that themes in his writings suggest the legitimacy of homosexual marriage. Among Vines’ references to Piper:

— Piper’s view of Old Testament laws lends support to the case for homosexual marriage, Vines wrote. He quoted Piper as saying Matthew 19:8 indicates “that there are laws in the Old Testament that are not expressions of God’s will for all time, but expressions of how best to manage sin in a particular people at a particular time.” That’s how Christians should view Old Testament prohibitions of homosexuality, Vines stated.

— Vines charged Piper with implying that physical procreation is not as important under the new covenant as it was under the old covenant. This suggests that homosexual couples’ inability to reproduce shouldn’t be used as an argument against gay marriage, Vines contended.

— Piper’s view of marital sex as an expression of covenant love implies that gay marriage is legitimate because people of the same gender can engage in an act of covenantal union as well, Vines wrote. The same point applies to Keller’s view of marital sex, Vines added.

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