A Response to President Obama’s Pronouncement on ‘Same-Sex Marriage’

Friday / 11 May 2012

People God Dearly Loves,

The Lord be with you.

Something momentous happened in our nation this week.

Our country’s president – our president – publicly announced on Wednesday that he has become convinced that same-sex couples should be able to get married in the United States of America.

(I’m not going to explore here the possible political issues that are connected to this pronouncement.  I’ll choose to address only how the Church can and must respond.)

First, let me say that I am not shocked – though I am saddened – by what President Obama believes and what he said.  It’s to be expected in a post-modern world in which truth can be defined by each person and even contradictory ‘truths’ are allowed to be equally valid.  (If you want to be believe that 2 + 2 = 5, what right do I have to say, “No. That’s wrong. 2 + 2 = 4.  It always has; it always will.”?)

I did read the entire transcript (a link is below) of the ABC News interview with Robin Roberts.  These are words of President Obama near the beginning:

Well – you know, I have to tell you, as I’ve said, I’ve – I’ve been going through an evolution on this issue. I’ve always been adamant that – gay and lesbian – Americans should be treated fairly and equally. And that’s why in addition to everything we’ve done in this administration, rolling back Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell – so that – you know, outstanding Americans can serve our country. Whether it’s no longer defending the Defense Against Marriage Act,....

I've stood on the side of broader equality for – the L.G.B.T. community. And I had hesitated on gay marriage – in part, because I thought civil unions would be sufficient….And – I was sensitive to the fact that – for a lot of people, you know, the – the word marriage was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs, and so forth.

At a certain point, I’ve just concluded that – for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that – I think same-sex couples should be able to get married.

These comments (the most theologically troubling, in my mind) were made near the end:


And – you know, I – you know – you know, we – we’re both – practicing Christians.  And – and obviously – this position may be considered to put as at odds with – the views of – of others.  But – you know, when we think about our faith, the – the thing – you know, at – at root that we think about is not only – Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf – but it’s also the golden rule, you know?  Treat others the way you'd want to be treated. And – and I think that’s what we try to impart to our kids. And – that’s what motivates me as president. And – I figure the more consistent I can be – in being true – to – to those precepts – the better I’ll be as a dad and a husband, and – hopefully the better I’ll be as a president.


You’ve heard and read President Obama’s words.  You’ve heard and read many responses to them.

So what do you say?  What do I say?  What we say – as a congregation and as a church body?

The simple answer is this: we say what Scripture says.  We speak God’s Word of Law to mistruth and wrong-doing.  We speak God’s Word of Gospel to brokenness and repentance.

But what words do we use to articulate our understanding of marriage as designed by God?

What words do we use to explain why calling any union or any commitment “marriage” that is not the life-long commitment of one man and one woman is a counterfeit of God’s Word and contrary to God’s will?

Here are a few suggestions about what words to use:

Go to www.lcms.org , the website for The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. Then click on the tab for ‘What We Do,’ then go to ‘Help People,’ then go to ‘Life Issues.’ (You may also click on this link: http://www.lcms.org/page.aspx?pid=866 which will take you directly to the ‘Life Issues’ tab on the LCMS website.)

Here are several articles from ‘Life Issues’ to carefully read and prayerfully consider:

• God and the Gay Lifestyle
• Homosexuality in Christian Perspective
• Marriage Lite

In addition, I commend for your reading and sharing a fine statement on marriage adopted (in 2004) by Lutherans For Life (of which the Rev. James Lamb is Executive Director), found at this link: http://www.lutheransforlife.org/article/marriage-a-statement-by-lutherans-for-life/ .

There are certainly many other fine and helpful articles and commentaries on this issue which speak from the perspective of honoring Scripture as God’s Word and upholding the traditional, common (natural) law, and biblical view of marriage.  As I see other writings – or as you call them to my attention I will do my best to share them with others.

Please know that I am praying fervently for the Bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:25-27; John 3:29; 2 Corinthians 11:2) that, in the middle of this confusion and the ongoing debate, she may give faithful witness of the truths that God speaks.

In addition, I pray that each follower of Jesus Christ will point only to Him as the source of love that is so wide and long and high and deep (Ephesians 3:18).  It is this love that compelled our Lord to go to the cross to win our full and free forgiveness.  It is this love that He desires us to share for all eternity because of His glorious resurrection.  It is this rich love that the Bridegroom offers His Bride and that she returns to Him.

May this be the ultimate gift that we offer to the lost and broken people around us.

In the pure and powerful love of Christ,

Pastor Mark Barz

Here is the link to the transcript from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/transcript-robin-roberts-abc-news-interview-president-obama/story?id=16316043