Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Blog
→
Get Ready to Update Your Church’s Statement of Faith

Get Ready to Update Your Church’s Statement of Faith

June 10, 2022 by Shawn Lazar in Blog - Hardin-Simmons, sexuality, transgenderism

How is your church handling the latest cultural push to promote transgenderism and gender ideology?

Put differently, how is it facing the ongoing deleterious effects of the sexual revolution?

Does your church’s statement of faith reflect the new cultural dynamics?

Hardin-Simmons University in West Texas seems to be headed in a more conservative direction. They closed their money-losing “liberal” pastoral school, Logsdon Seminary. And now they’re adopting clearer language about marriage, sex, and gender. As this article reluctantly reports (because it is a liberal Baptist site):

Among the faith statement’s 10 articles, two are devoted to strict statements on gender and sexuality. The first says: “We believe that God created the human race with two genetic sexes as defined by karyotype, male and female.” The second says: “We believe that marriage has been established by God to be a life-long, covenant relationship between one genetic male and one genetic female. We also believe that sexual activity is intended by God to be expressed solely in the context of a loving marriage between one genetic male and one genetic female.”

Each of these three points is helpful.

First, God created “two genetic sexes as defined by karyotype, male and female.” The National Human Genome Research Institute defines karyotype as: “an individual’s complete set of chromosomes.” Good. This statement makes clear that being male or female is not a matter of subjective feelings or fashion sense, but about objective genetics.

Second, “We believe that marriage has been established by God to be a life-long, covenant relationship between one genetic male and one genetic female.” The sexual revolution redefined “marriage” to be a contractual emotional relationship between two (or more) persons, opening the door to “gay marriage.” When the emotions change, the contract is breached, and therefore the marriage can be ended. Hence, I like how Hardin-Simmons emphasizes the covenantal and genetic basis of marriage. And the life-long and covenantal aspects also emphasize how it is a moral relationship—a promise to be in it together to the end despite how you might feel.

Third, “We also believe that sexual activity is intended by God to be expressed solely in the context of a loving marriage between one genetic male and one genetic female.” We live in such a perverse and confused time that it’s sad to think this type of language— “one genetic male and one genetic female”—is necessary. But it is. And Hardin-Simmons is simply using more precise language for what Christians have always held. Natural marriage was always biologically based because it is a sexual (not a sodomitical) union. That is, it is the only human relationship that can result in children and allow those children to be raised by both parents. No other “relationship” does that. But Hardin-Simmons puts those ideas together, which is good.

If you’re a pastor, elder, deacon, or voting church member, I would recommend that you revisit your church’s statement of faith or by-laws and adopt this kind of clearer language about sex, gender, and marriage. (You should also do the same for making clear the promise of eternal life.) But don’t stop at changing your statement of faith. Make sure to also teach and explain these realities to your people. They may never hear them from anyone else.

Subscribe by Email

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
Shawn_L

by Shawn Lazar

Shawn Lazar (BTh, McGill; MA, VU Amsterdam) was the Editor of Grace in Focus magazine and Director of Publications for Grace Evangelical Society from May 2012 through June 2022. He and his wife Abby have three children. He has written several books including: Beyond Doubt: How to Be Sure of Your Salvation and Chosen to Serve: Why Divine Election Is to Service, Not to Eternal Life.

If you wish to ask a question about a given blog, email us your question at ges@faithalone.org.

Cart

Recently Added

February 6, 2023

What is the Difference in the “Follower of Jesus” and “Believer in Jesus”? Aren’t “Follower” and “Believer” Basically Synonyms? Also: Does Romans 11:35 Contradict the Doctrine of Eternal Rewards?

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today and all this week, Ken Yates and Bob Wilkin are answering questions from listeners like you. What is...
February 6, 2023

Saving the Lost (Luke 19:9) 

In Luke 19:1-9, we find the well-known story of a short, but rich, man named Zacchaeus. We are all familiar with the story, and with...
February 3, 2023

Romans–Part 05–The Solution

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Kathryn Wright and Ken Yates conclude this short series as they get to the good part of the...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • Grudem Against Grace: A Defense of Free Grace Theology $15.00 $10.00
  • Inerrancy for Dummies $7.95 $5.00
  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Hardcover) $13.95 $5.00
  • The Journey of Faith $15.00 $9.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube