The Pro-Homosexual Agenda of Barack Obama

I confess that my feathers are a bit ruffled right now. Last week I posted an article entitled "How Heavenly Wrath Becomes Historical Record." It dealt with the issue of homosexuality in American culture. The news that prompted the writing of that article at that time revolved around Maine and Washington D.C. as each of those local governments is currently dealing with laws pertaining to homosexual marriage. Maine has passed legislation legalizing gay marriage, but the people have the right in that state to veto the legislation by popular vote in November. Washington D.C. is on the verge of legalizing gay marriage as well.

I published the article on Saturday morning. I had no idea that on Saturday night, President Obama would be addressing the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) concerning the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons. His address reveals what many refused to believe during last year's presidential campaign. Barack Obama is more ardently pro-homosexual "rights" than anyone who has ever served in the office of President.

During the address he promises to continue fighting for the repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), among other things. I want to encourage you to take the time to look over the President's address. Also, please take the time to read Dr. Al Mohler's blog article on this topic. His intellectually clear-headed and insightful analysis is helpful. Pray for your President; and as you pray, pray that his agenda concerning the homosexual community and the future of America with respect to this issue would fail.

The wrath of God has begun to be manifest in the United States of America (Romans 1:18). The moral decay is taking place. Pray that God would make us salt of the earth, to slow the inevitable process.

How Heavenly Wrath Becomes Historical Record

Politics does little to shape culture. Rather, politics reflects culture. Political trends represent ideas and norms that are already entrenched in the consciousness of the people. If this is right, then the current discussion in the political realm about a supposed homosexual right to marry is frightening. To illustrate the prevalence of the discussion in the political sphere, one only needs to consider the fact that four states have already begun issuing marriage licenses to homosexual couples (Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont). California would be included in that list, but voters approved a constitutional amendment in November (Proposition 8) which overturned the supreme court ruling that had effectively legalized gay marriage in that state. Maine has also legalized gay marriage, but they cannot issue licenses pending an opportunity for a “people’s veto” by popular vote. The debate is currently centered in Washington D.C. where the city council is set to legalize the practice. For the measure to be finalized there, it would have to be approved by congress, a step which will probably meet little resistance. On the other hand, twenty-nine states have voted to approve constitutional amendments which specifically ban homosexual marriage by defining marriage in strictly heterosexual terms. Though it is not the most popular item in televised speeches and is often dodged by politicians on the campaign trail, the debate over the validity of homosexual marriage looms large on the political landscape, which means that that it looms even larger in the cultural consciousness of the nation.

Many have taken the time to articulate the necessity of stopping what appears to be an inevitable trend. Many have organized massive political lobbying and voter information efforts in an attempt to stay the alarming trend of legalizing homosexual marriage. However, fewer people, it seems, have been as articulate about what it means for the nation that such a trend is even present and that such strategies to stop it are even necessary.

The Scriptures do not equivocate on the issue of homosexuality. It is presented as base, immoral, unnatural, and worthy of the judgment of God. Of the texts which address the issue of homosexuality directly, Romans 1:18-32 is probably the most penetrating in its analysis, especially with respect to the significance of homosexual behavior in understanding the condition of any culture in the eyes of God. In this passage, the apostle Paul scathingly denounces all human society as being subject to the wrath of God on account of unrighteousness and ungodliness (1:18). He then outlines the course that all human society will inevitably follow, a course which leads to the manifestation in history of the wrath of God that is being stored up in heaven.

The fundamental flaw of human society after the Fall of Adam in the Garden of Eden is his pervasively idolatrous heart. Even though man has the revelation of the wisdom and power of God, which is evidenced through the created order, mankind refuses to worship God as God. Instead, man exchanges “the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man… They exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever” (1:23, 25). Idolatry is the national religion of any people because nations are made up of men with fallen and idolatrous hearts.

After establishing idolatry as the basis for the wrath of God which is being stored up in heaven, Paul outlines the course that idolatrous societies (all human society) will inevitably follow. Step 1: Rank sexual immorality manifests itself openly and proudly (v. 24 – Because Paul does not specify homosexuality in v. 24, I conclude that he has in mind heterosexual immorality here.). Step 2: Homosexual behavior becomes more and more commonplace (vv. 26-27). Step 3: The manifestation of depravity so pervades the culture as to become self-destructive to the very fabric of society. The ethical and moral principles, which serve to preserve life and law in human society, erode away (vv. 28-32).

The typical alarm that is sounded after a reading of this passage goes something like this: “Look at American culture. We are following this path. The judgment of God is going to come if things do not change, if America does not repent.” While I agree with the general sentiment of such an alarm, I think it misses the mark at a very critical point. Paul does not exactly say that rank sexual immorality (of a hetero- or homosexual nature) invites the judgment of God. Rather, Paul says that because of the rampant idolatry that is prevalent in society, God gave them over to heterosexual immorality (v. 24). God gave them over to homosexual immorality (vv. 26-27). God gave them over to self-destructive lawlessness (vv. 28-32). Do you see the difference? The moral failure, sexual and otherwise, which plagues human society, is the judgment of God, not merely a sign suggesting that the judgment is coming. This manifestation of the wrath of God is a passive act of judgment. God, in his mercy, often restrains the expression of immorality among men for the preservation of life and to extend the opportunity for repentance and salvation for all who will believe the gospel. But as the idolatrous tendencies of any society manifest themselves, this restraining mercy of God is gradually removed, allowing the society to destroy itself with the pursuit of its own lusts.

In a dramatic twist of irony, the moral atrocities of American culture have become the silent prophets of God, pointing their long fingers and declaring, “Thus says the LORD, my wrath is being revealed from heaven.” The multi-billion dollar pornography industry is a prophet declaring the wrath of God upon us. The gay man kissing his groom at the altar is a prophet declaring the wrath of God upon us. The fabric of society is coming unraveled because, by the removal of his restraints, the Divine Judge is unraveling it.

But doesn’t the wrath of God ever manifest itself actively, rather than just passively? Certainly it does, and the famous case of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, when considered against the backdrop of Romans 1:18-32, may give us some insight here. According to Genesis 18-19, these two cities were characterized by homosexual behavior to the extent that “the men of the city… all the people from every quarter” were homosexual rapists, as they wished to have their way with the two visitors to Lot’s house (Gen. 19:4). We are not given any information about the history of Sodom and Gomorrah. Nevertheless, if Romans 1:18-32 indicates a universal pattern for human society, we can safely conclude that the rampant homosexuality of the two cities did not occur in a vacuum. How long had these societies existed? How long ago had the “sexual revolution” occurred in Sodom? How long ago had marriage licenses begun to be issued? We can only speculate. But one thing is certain, the wrath of God, which initially manifests itself passively eventually manifested itself actively in the violent destruction of these two cities.

As we observe the moral decay of American culture, we are witnesses to the wrath of God becoming the record of history. How long will the wrath be only passively manifest? We can only speculate. But one thing is certain: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven” (Rom. 1:18). “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man (or a society) sows, this will he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). Though patient toward men, extending the time until the active demonstration of his wrath so that some might repent, God is just. And the day will certainly come when (as with other nations who have gone before us) the wrath of God renders our nation as nothing more than the record of history.

A Modern Day Molech and the Dilemma of Unused Frozen Embryos

The worship of the Ammonite god Molech was probably the most grotesque and offensive of all the pagan practices in the land of Canaan prior to Israel’s presence there. Sadly, as Moses had warned (Lev. 20:1-5), the customs of Molech worship did not come to an end when the people of Israel conquered the land. Rather, the nation (Judah in particular) took up the detestable custom in the valley of Hinnom, located to the southwest of the city of Jerusalem.

Molech worship involved the sacrifice of one’s children as a burnt offering on an altar called Topheth. The Scriptures refer to the practice as making sons and daughters “pass through the fire.” King Solomon built altars to Molech, though it is not stated that he offered any of his children on them. King Ahaz did offer his son to Molech, and his grandson, Manasseh, followed suit. The logic of this form of worship seems quite simple. As a sign of gratitude to the deity, a worshipper is to offer his best in return. Molech gave his best to the worshipper, and the worshipper gives his best to Molech.

Of course, there are many reasons that Molech worship is seen as a treacherous offense in the Bible’s discourse, but two reasons in particular stand out for this discussion:

1. Gratitude to Molech is ingratitude to God.The children being offered to Molech were given as a gift and stewardship from Yahweh, not Molech (Psalm 127:3). What was perceived by Molech worshippers as the supreme sign of gratitude was perceived by Yahweh as the supreme sign of ingratitude.
2. Misplaced gratitude and worship serves the purposes of Satan. Though biblical Christians will understand that the so-called god “Molech” is a non-god, we should also recognize that there was a very real “deity” who was delighting in these human sacrifices. The serpent of old, the “god of this world” (2 Cor. 4:4) was indeed the delighted deity who loved to see both the worship and the children which belonged to Yahweh being offered instead to him.

Parenting: Early Years Magazine recently published an article entitled “Frozen Dreams” (August 2009). The headline reads: “There are nearly half a million embryos stored across the country – and the couples who created them now wrestle with the options of what to do next.” In the article, Laura Beil discusses the options available to such couples. Three options are presented in the article:

1. Donate to other infertile couples.
2. Donate to medical research.
3. Thawing without donating.

Not discussed separately as an option, but discussed throughout the article is a fourth choice: Have more children, personally or through a surrogate.

Bear in mind that frozen embryos are fertilized eggs. Conception has occurred, even if in a test tube, and if given a suitable womb, that embryo will one day have a name and a face. For a consistent pro-life Christian who is convinced (as I am) that life begins at conception (Psalm 139:13), either #1 above or the choice to have more children are legitimate options. Thawing without donating (#3) seems to be the easiest one to rule out (for the pro-lifer). But what about option #2? Is donation to medical research (embryonic stem cell research) a true “middle ground,” as Beil says some couples suggest?

Stephanie Smith and her husband are presented as a pro-life couple with “religious convictions.” They considered donating to another infertile couple. “The more she and her husband thought about it, however, the more unsettled they became,” says Beil. “She didn’t know if she’d ever stop searching crowds for little girls who looked just like hers.” Stephanie and her husband resolved their dilemma by donating the embryos to medical research, an act which they considered “a gesture of gratitude to a system that had given them their dreams” (emphasis added). There are many couples like Stephanie and her husband who are comforted by donating to science, even though they know the embryos will not survive. Dr. Anne Drapkin Lyerly of Duke University says that such couples “feel like they were helped by science and they want to give back” (emphasis added).

Such a trend ought to make the blood of every Christian run cold. To whom is gratitude being offered? To the science which provided the gift of children. What is the expression of gratitude? The offering of the rest of the children.

The name Molech may not be invoked, and formal worship procedures may not be followed. Nevertheless, gratitude is here misplaced. One wonders if the God who grants children as a gift (Psalm 127:3) does not perceive the so-called supreme act of gratitude to science as the supreme act of ingratitude to Himself. One also has to wonder if that same beguiling serpent is not just as delighted in the sacrifice made in the laboratory test tube as in the sacrifice made on Topheth in the valley of Hinnom. After all, whether the gratitude and the children are seen to belong to Molech or science, the chief end of Satan is simply that such not be seen as belonging to Yahweh.