That’s the real issue. Should we be governed by whatever each of us believes is right (as in Judges 21:25, when every man did that which was right in his own eyes), or are individuals – and cultures – better off by following what a wise Creator has revealed in His Word about how He has designed us (as in Joshua 1:7-8, do not depart from this Book of the Law to the right or to the left; then your way will be prosperous and you will have good success)?

Here in Schenectady, NY yesterday, First United Methodist Church hosted a guest preacher/lecturer who forfeited his ministerial credentials for performing a so-called same-sex marriage for his son and partner. His credentials have been reinstated and he is traveling around as a “prophet” calling people to follow the evolving culture. Well, call me a “prophet” who calls people to live in fidelity to the God who made us and knows best how we are designed to function. Here is the text of a letter to the editor which I have submitted to the local newspaper.

Dear Editor:

GLAAD for some … Sad for others

Monday’s Times Union edition reported Schenectady’s First United Methodist Church’s celebration of so-called same-sex marriage. On June 29, that congregation welcomed as a hero Rev. Frank Schaefer who had defied the “laws” of his denomination by performing a marriage ceremony for his homosexual son and partner. His ministerial credentials were initially revoked, but later reinstated.

While many (including lobbying groups like GLAAD) celebrate this decision, many of us mourn this sad day in which people who profess allegiance to God have actually turned away from Him (Psalm 2:2-3, rulers take counsel against the Lord, saying, Let us cast away His cords from us). The issue was also in national news recently when the mainline Presbyterian denomination (PCUSA) voted overwhelmingly to allow its ministers to perform such marriages. In both instances, this represents a tragic insistence that people should be allowed (and even encouraged) to disobey the clear teaching of the Bible.

That’s the real issue. Should we be governed by whatever each of us believes is right (as in Judges 21:25, when every man did that which was right in his own eyes), or are individuals – and cultures – better off by following what a wise Creator has revealed in His Word about how He has designed us (as in Joshua 1:7-8, do not depart from this Book of the Law to the right or to the left; then your way will be prosperous and you will have good success)?

Are not happiness and moral purity best achieved by following the righteous decrees of a loving God rather than by the desires of the sinful human heart? This Biblical conviction is confirmed by the consensus of thousands of years of human societies as well as numerous modern studies showing the benefits for children raised in traditional mother/father families. After all, the family is the foundation on which a society is built and preserved.

For 254 years First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady has maintained confidence in the truthfulness of God’s Word and the beneficial results in the lives of all who embrace its teachings. That conviction led First Presbyterian to separate from the liberal mainline denomination decades ago, joining the more conservative Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Today this congregation continues to open its doors to all who will receive the saving love of God in Jesus Christ, finding true happiness not in the desires of their own fallible understanding but in the perfectly wise and infinitely loving heart of God revealed in His Word.

Respectfully submitted,
Dr. Lawrence C. Roff, Senior Pastor
First Presbyterian Church, Schenectady