Church and Politics: Same Sex Marriage and Religious Perspectives

This report, titled "Church and Politics: Same Sex Marriage," presents an annotated bibliography and analysis of the Church's stance on homosexuality and same-sex marriage. It explores the views of various authors, including de Borja and Ann Orfanel, Hartin, Horton, and McQuilkin and Copan. The report examines how these authors interpret biblical ethics and the role of the Church in relation to state laws concerning homosexuality and same-sex marriage. The analysis highlights the diverse perspectives, from Pope Francis's emphasis on personal discretion to the varying interpretations of biblical texts regarding homosexuality. The report concludes that the Church's position is complex and multifaceted, with a range of opinions on how Christian faith should interact with societal views and legal frameworks concerning same-sex relationships. The report utilizes the provided assignment brief and references to create a comprehensive overview of the topic.

Running head: CHURCH AND POLITICS: SAME SEX MARRIAGE
CHURCH AND POLITICS: SAME SEX MARRIAGE
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

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Annotated Bibliography
de Borja, K., & Ann Orfanel, J. (2016). Christian Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/29829860/CHRISTIAN_ETHICS
This particular article deals with the modern day issues faced in relationships and the
views of the Pope Francis on it. This article is a critical analysis of the views expressed by Pope
Francis on the issue of non traditional relationships, such as same sex marriages and single
parenthood, which defy not only the heterosexual marriages endorsed by the religious principles
but also the socially upheld rules and conventions. The views of the Pope Francis that one must
not judge the personal choices of the people have been deemed as emanating out of the fear from
being judged in public which shows that the sphere of influence of the church is not as much as
that of the state and that the position of the church is subordinate compared to the state. However
the approach of accepting differences and even the ones who are considered as sinners by the
church has been appreciated much.
Hartin, P. J. (1991). Christian biblical ethics: the application of biblical norms to today. Koers-
Bulletin for Christian Scholarship/Bulletin vir Christelike Wetenskap, 56(3), 425-446.
Given the fact that in the contemporary period the states are wrought with the question of
legalizing or decriminalizing homosexuality and recognizing same sex marriages, one of the
greatest opposition comes from the section of the population which is religiously inclined. The
Christians are one such group who oppose same sex relationships citing verses from the Bible.
However on close a critical analysis of the verses of the Bible, especially the destruction of the
Sodom and Gomorrah, it can be derived that there is no strict forbiddance or even mention of

2CHURCH AND POLITICS: SAME SEX MARRIAGE
homosexuality in the Old Testament. In the New Testament however there are subtle hints which
say that intimacy between males is not acceptable. Hence the Biblical verses are not a
dependable source to level opposition to same sex marriages or relationships as they are not
explicitly mentioned.
Horton, M. (2013). A Tale of Two Kingdoms by Michael Horton. Retrieved from
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/tale-two-kingdoms/
This particular article deals with the issue of the relevance of the church and the religious
affairs in the matters of statecraft, and provides a subtle hint about the approach that should be
undertaken in order to treat the issue of same sex marriage and the non conventional
relationships. The idea conveyed in the article states that the public sphere need not be
Christianized in order to observe he Christian faith as according to the Biblical message, faith is
a personal matter and salvation is a personal achievement which is not at all contingent on any
other thing apart from a personal connection with the God and leading a puritanical life on a
personal basis. Hence this suggests that homosexuality and same sex marriage must be left to the
state.
McQuilkin, R., & Copan, P. (2013). An introduction to biblical ethics: Walking in the way of
wisdom. InterVarsity Press.
This particular piece of literature deals with the issue of ethics and the way of life that is
supposed to be observed in order to lead a just life according to the religious scriptures. This
particular piece of literature deals with the issues about ethics and the way of life that is
supposed to observe as per the biblical principles and shows what the Bible has to say about the
various aspects of life. Te difference between the social ethics and the biblical ethics along with

3CHURCH AND POLITICS: SAME SEX MARRIAGE
an explanation of how they converge has been discussed as well in the piece of literature. The
author has very carefully situated the deviant practices as a matter of personal choice and has
rendered it as a matter not be judged from a biblical perspective as the Bible is an eclectic mix of
values which makes the exercise of discretion mandatory.
Outline
With regard to the stance of Church on the issue of homosexuality and same sex marriage
it can be said that it ought to exercise a balance between the values of a secular state and the
biblical principles. According to the following authors the relation of the church and the state o
the issue of homosexuality and same sex marriage can be explained. De Borja and Ann Orfanel
(2016) provides the views that the greatest spiritual leader of the catholic world had expressed
his views about the same sex marriage and homosexual relations as a matter of personal
discretion and should not be judged as judging someone is strictly un Christian. Hartin (1991)
opines that the stance of the bible on the issue of homosexuality cannot be used to challenge the
decision of the state to not recognize homosexual relationships as the views of the Bible is not
clear. Horton (2013) opines that the observance of the Christian faith necessitates not judging
others which hints that the homosexuals should not be opposed by Christians. McQuilkin and
Copan (2013) opines that ethics is relative and the application of biblical ethics to al, spheres of
life is unjust. Thus it becomes clear that the church is neutral from biblical perspective with
regard to same sex marriage and cannot be used to level opposition against the homosexuals.

4CHURCH AND POLITICS: SAME SEX MARRIAGE
References
de Borja, K., & Ann Orfanel, J. (2016). Christian Ethics. Retrieved from
https://www.academia.edu/29829860/CHRISTIAN_ETHICS
Hartin, P. J. (1991). Christian biblical ethics: the application of biblical norms to today. Koers-
Bulletin for Christian Scholarship/Bulletin vir Christelike Wetenskap, 56(3), 425-446.
Horton, M. (2013). A Tale of Two Kingdoms by Michael Horton. Retrieved from
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/tale-two-kingdoms/
McQuilkin, R., & Copan, P. (2013). An introduction to biblical ethics: Walking in the way of
wisdom. InterVarsity Press.