Where do Christians stand on so-called marriage equality?

TL;DR:

Christians believe marriage is God’s design: one man and one woman, united for life. While society debates “marriage equality,” upholding this biblical definition isn’t hate—it’s staying faithful to God while loving others.

what does the bible say?

The notion of marriage "equality" is that any two (or more) persons of the same sex can be joined together in the same type of God-ordained union. However, marriage is not created and defined by man, so it cannot be re-created or re-defined by man (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). The essence of marriage is the joining together of one man and one woman, and any other union or relationship outside of that is not a marriage. Christians must uphold marriage according to God’s design. While society debates “marriage equality,” redefining marriage does not change its God-given essence, design, and purpose. The Bible makes clear that marriage is not a social construct but a divine institution meant for companionship (Genesis 2:18), procreation (Genesis 1:28), and a picture of God’s covenant with us (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20; Ephesians 5:25-27). Christians’ motivations for opposing same-sex or polygamous relationships isn’t hate but rather, obedience to God’s moral order and concern for human flourishing. God’s commands on marriage serve as protective guardrails, guiding us toward holiness and safeguarding the family unit. Rejecting God’s design leads to disorder and consequences (Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, 14:33). In all this, Christians are called to act with love, grace, and a desire for the salvation of all people, standing firm in biblical truth while extending compassion.

from the old testament

Marriage is an institution ordained by God for the blessed union of one man and one woman (Genesis 1:28; 2:18, 24).
Scripture presents the marriage covenant as a metaphor for God’s covenant with His people (Isaiah 54:5; Jeremiah 3:14; Hosea 2:19-20). Calling same-sex unions “marriage” distorts what God designed it to be.

from the new testament

God ordained marriage as an act of divine love for the good of man and woman, to be the means by which a man and a woman join sexually, to procreate, and to present a picture of Christ's love to the world (1 Corinthians 7:2–16; Ephesians 5:23–33).
Jesus reaffirmed the one-man, one-woman design for marriage when He spoke against divorce: “Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate” (Matthew 19:4-6).
God’s definition of marriage is one man and one woman in a covenantal relationship; any other union or relationship is not a marriage. Even some well-known Christians struggle with this, but that does not change what the Bible says. God's Word is living and active, and profitable for teaching, reproof, and correction (Hebrews 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:16), and in it God defines what marriage is.

implications for today

Spiteful. Hater. Bigot. Christians who oppose same-sex unions have been called those names and more. But in reality, Christians’ position on same-sex unions is one of love and compassion for others. Christians also reject marriage as a mere social construct or means of legal pragmatism. Societies and laws frequently change, but God’s commands are grounded in His immutable nature. If marriage is an important moral issue, then not basing it on that which is transcendent and unchanging is the height of folly. Christians recognize that God gives moral principles and precepts for the good of man. God is not harmed when we disobey Him. We are. Obeying God is for our good, including His commands about marriage. Obeying God helps us grow in sanctification, holiness, and Christ-likeness. The chief purpose for man's existence is to know God in Christ and to glorify Him. This cannot be accomplished when we live in wanton rebellion.

God’s ways are specified in the Bible and written on our hearts; they serve as guardrails on our lives. Despite our high opinion of ourselves, the Bible gives us a dead reckoning: "for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Most people like and agree with what God says prohibiting murder and theft, about loving our neighbors, about helping the poor. But they balk atGod’s commands concerning sexual behavior and marriage. Contradicting God is wrong in principle and always ends in disaster. Same-sex “marriage” is no different.

Christians stand within God's will as they uphold the sanctity of biblical marriage. They choose to be on God's side. Christians also love, pray for, minister to, work with, and earnestly desire salvation for all lost people. Grace abounds in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the mercies of God are new every day (Lamentations 3:22-23).

understand

The Bible defines marriage as a lifelong union of one man and one woman.
Christians oppose so-called marriage equality because they want to obey God, not because they hate those with different viewpoints.
Christians are called to love others while upholding God’s design for marriage.

reflect

How do you personally understand God’s design for marriage, and how does it shape your views on modern debates about marriage equality?
What does it look like to uphold biblical truth about marriage while still showing love and compassion to those with different beliefs?
How does your obedience to God’s moral design for marriage influence your relationships?

engage

What are some reasons people support “marriage” equality, and what are some biblically-grounded responses?
How can Christians engage respectfully with society while boldly upholding God’s design for marriage?
What practical steps can we take to demonstrate love toward those advocating for marriage equality without compromising biblical truth?