What is being revealed clearly to those with eyes to see is the rebellion of human beings against the Lord our God, against his revealed order, against the true nature of man as male and female, and against the poor of this world.
From within the Bible, and emphasised by the doctors of the Church, marriage has been understood for centuries as having a cosmic significance, while at the same time being about the relation between a man and woman. Marriage is a sign provided by God of the mystical union between Christ, the Bridegroom, and the Church, the Bride. It is also a sign of the union in the one body of Christ and in the one eternal kingdom of God of Jew and Gentle. The one flesh union of holy matrimony serves as a pointer to what God wills for humanity.
Therefore, any attempt to disturb, hide or destroy this sign is to become an enemy of God and his holy order.
The Churches of the West, and the Episcopal Church of the USA in particular, have been allowing even encouraging such disturbance and destruction in recent times. From their abundance and enjoyment of the goods of this world, from their commitment to the autonomy of man as central in the universe, from their commitment to self-realization and self fulfilment, and from their morality based on civil and human rights teaching, they have allowed even encouraged the break-up of marriage, the divorce culture, the cohabitation of couples and the blessing of same-sex partnerships. And they have done and do this in the name of their new “God/dess” who seems to be an idol, set up in opposition to the LORD.
We need perhaps to look again at the Preface to the Marriage service in the BCP of 1662:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy Matrimony; which is an honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought, in Cana of Galilee: and is commended of Saint Paul to be honourable among all men: and therefore is not by any to be enterprized, nor take in hand, inadvisedly, lightly or wantonly, to satisfy man’s carnal lusts and appetites, like brute beasts that have no understanding; but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which Matrimony was ordained.
First, it was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.
Secondly, it was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ’s body.
Thirdly, it was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity. Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined.
Here we get the cosmic significance of marriage and then a down to earth statement of what marriage in the real world ought to be about – not personal autonomy but co-creators with God where he makes this possible. The ECUSA especially, but not only, has got way off track!
The Rev'd Dr. Peter Toon M.A., D.Phil. (Oxon.)
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