New research shows nearly half of mainline pastors support gay marriage
By Dr. Michael Brown
February 24, 2020
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According to a
new Lifeway Research survey,
while 47 percent of “mainline” pastors now support same-sex “marriage,” only 8
percent of evangelical pastors do. More specifically, “Presbyterian or Reformed
(49%), Methodist (47%), Lutheran (35%) and Christian/Church of Christ pastors
(20%) are more likely to see nothing wrong with same-sex marriage than Baptist
(3%) or Pentecostal pastors (1%).”
None of this is
surprising in the least.
First, as noted
by Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research, “The movement we
see among pastors’ views of same-sex marriage has less to do with their
denominational tradition than their view of the Bible.”
Accordingly,
those who hold most faithfully to the authority of Scripture will be the least
inclined to change their views on homosexuality. Put another way, those who
believe the Bible to be God’s inspired, unchanging Word will be the least
likely to compromise their convictions based on societal changes.
“An evangelical
distinctive,” McConnell continued, “is the ultimate authority the Bible has
over one’s beliefs despite changing cultural perspectives. It is not surprising
then that evangelical pastors across different denominations continue to view
same-sex marriage as wrong through this lens.”
That’s because
the Bible is unambiguous in its condemnation of homosexual unions. Under all
circumstances, regardless of how much love or commitment is involved, they are
sinful in God’s sight and contrary to His established order.
At the same
time, mercy and forgiveness are offered for all, including practicing
homosexuals. The Word is equally clear on this (see 1 Corinthians 6:9-11).
That’s why, when I had a mini-debate with “gay Christian” poster boy Matthew Vines, he could not offer a single Scripture verse in support of his position. (For a graphic illustration of the scriptural bankruptcy of the “gay Christian” argument, see here.)
When it comes to
“mainline” pastors, which these days primarily refers to “progressive” or
“liberal” pastors, they are more inclined to interpret Scripture through the
lens of contemporary culture than to evaluate contemporary culture through the
lens of Scripture.
As a result,
they are more likely to disbelieve fundamental, biblical truths, including: the
Bible as God’s infallible Word; salvation coming only through Jesus; the virgin
birth and the resurrection; eternal reward and eternal punishment.
That’s why it’s
no surprise that these same pastors, who have waffled on the most foundational
issues, will waffle on things like gay “marriage” too. What else could we
expect?
Ironically, it
is the Pentecostals, who are often derided for their belief that the Spirit
continues to speak today, who are the most conservative of all, with only 1
percent of their pastors affirming same-sex “marriage.”
But that, too,
should come as no surprise. That’s because the reason Pentecostals believe that
prophecy and tongues are for today is because they believe that the Word of God
means what it says. That’s also why they reject same-sex “marriage.”
Pentecostals
also emphasize the importance of the new birth and life in the Spirit. This
means that the vast majority of their adherents will have a greater devotion to
the Lord and His Word than those of “mainline” churches, which often downplay
the concept of personal relationship with God.
The survey
indicated that, “In addition to their distinctive religious experiences,
renewalists also stand out for the intensity of their belief in traditional
Christian doctrines and practices. For instance, in eight of the 10 countries
surveyed (all except the U.S. and Chile), majorities of nonrenewalist
Christians believe that the Bible is the word of God and is to be taken
literally, word for word; but this view is even more common among pentecostals
than among non-renewalist Christians. Similarly, large majorities of all
Christians, renewalists and nonrenewalists alike, believe that miracles still
occur today as in ancient times. But this belief tends to be even more intense
among pentecostals and, to a lesser extent, charismatics than among
nonrenewalist Christians.”
It is true that,
according to the recent Lifeway Research survey, the more educated the pastor,
the more likely he (or she) was to accept same-sex “marriage.” Specifically,
“Those with a doctorate (27%) or a master’s degree (32%) are more likely to
support same-sex marriage than pastors with a bachelor’s degree (9%) or no
college degree (6%).”
But, once again,
it is also more likely that many of those who pursued more advanced degrees
view the Bible through a more modernist lens than those who chose not to pursue
such degrees. Education, in and of itself, does not guarantee orthodoxy. This
is especially so when the seminaries attended are themselves liberal.
Interestingly, “Pastors
of churches with fewer than 50 in attendance are more likely to see nothing
wrong with two people of the same gender getting married (33%) than those at
churches with 100 or more in attendance (19%).”
This would confirm what I have written about numerous times, namely, that “progressive Christianity” is doomed to fail.
That’s why,
while 47 percent of “mainline” pastors now affirm same-sex relations, they
represent an increasingly small minority of American pastors as a whole as
their congregations are dwindling. In stark contrast,
Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity is exploding around the
globe.
One group adheres
more faithfully to the Word and relies on the Spirit’s power. The other does
not.