Overture 10

On Amending W-4.9001, Christian Marriage—From the Presbytery of Mississippi.

The Presbytery of Mississippi overtures the 217th General Assembly (2006) of the PC(USA)—in the belief that God has ordained the institution of holy matrimony, and the Scriptures speak clearly to Godly unions, and that marriage should be between one man and one woman—directs the Stated Clerk to send the following proposed amendment to the presbyteries for their affirmative or negative votes:

Shall W.4.9001 of the Book of Order be amended as follows: [Text to be deleted is shown with a strike-through; text to be added or inserted is shown as italics.]

“Marriage is a gift God has given to all humankind for the well-being of the entire human family. Marriage is a civil contract between a woman and a man. For Christians marriage is In addition to marriage being a civil contract between a woman and a man, marriage for Christians is also a covenant through which a man and a woman are called to live out together before God their lives of discipleship. In a service of Christian marriage a lifelong commitment is made by a woman and a man to each other, publicly witnessed and acknowledged by the community of faith.

“While the civil government may, from time to time, authorize civil marriage contracts of various terms and conditions, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) affirms that all ‘marriage’ contracts should be between one woman and one man, and proclaims that ‘same-gender unions’ are clearly in opposition to Scripture and the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).”

Rationale

A statement defining marriage as a civil contract between a woman and a man fails to recognize or emphasize that God laid down the basics of marriage for His people. While civil contracts, and other actions by the civil courts, are realities, the church should clearly stand for marriage as a manifestation of God’s care and concern for His people.

Same-gender unions, while still facing certain court challenges, have become law in Massachusetts and are being practiced under the color of law there, as well as being supported by other civil jurisdictions in other states.
The PC(USA) cannot force its will on non-believers and others, even if they wish to live in a manner clearly in opposition to the Scriptures and the PC(USA) Constitution.

Compassion and care are our duty to all, regardless of their beliefs and practices, for we are all children of God. Our mission to those considering such “unions” should be to minister to them at any and every opportunity, emphasizing God’s love and care as well as God’s will for his people as revealed in the Scriptures.

It is proper, it is our duty, to state what we clearly believe in this case, to point out the error inherent in same-gender unions, and to carefully avoid encouraging in any way, such “same-gender unions.”

Reference is made to the Book of Order Sections W-4.9000 and 4.9006, and The Second Helvetic Confession Sections 5.245-.251, and The Westminster Confession of Faith Sections 6.131-.139, and to other references in the church’s Constitution.