On April 28, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Obergefell vs. Hodges, the historic marriage case in which the institution’s very definition will be decided for the nation. In June, the Court will issue its decision, the repercussions of which will affect laws and practices in every state. The stakes are so high, it causes me to tremble. Marriage is God’s design, but, sadly, that will not be an acceptable argument for it in Court. Because marriage was created by God and predates all civilizations and all laws, justices who reject God’s definition of it will be shaking their fists in the face of God. Let’s hope and pray that only four or fewer exhibit such arrogance. Marriage is God’s design for His most prized creation, man and woman. It’s built into our nature. Everyone can see it in the biology of the human body and the fact that the union between man and woman produces offspring. Some people may choose not to avail themselves of the enjoyment God provides through His design. The fact that these people reject this good design for one of their own making does not demand society’s affirmation. At least it should not. If the courts force it, there will be serious consequences. Marriage is God’s provision for raising children. The Supreme Court will decide whether our society gratefully welcomes or rejects that provision and we’ll reap the results. Tennessee’s Attorney General filed a brief arguing that “a traditional definition of marriage ensures that when couples procreate, the child will be born into a stable family unit.” This, the brief argues, is “a legitimate state interest.” Same sex marriage was enacted by only 11 state legislatures and only in 3 of those states were these laws redefining marriage ratified by popular vote. For the most part, same-sex marriage has been imposed by courts, in many cases, by a single judge. We are already seeing that the redefinition of marriage, expanding it to include same-sex partners, is being used as a weapon against religious belief and practice. It’s not live-and-let live as its advocates claimed. There are briefs being filed in this case to mitigate the damage to religious liberty should it go the wrong way. Liberty Institute filed one on behalf of several Bible teachers, well-known pastors, seminaries and broadcasters. It emphasizes that, “the First Amendment Free Speech Clause protects ministers, teachers, and speakers who are compelled by faith and conscience to preach and speak aloud their millennia-old and sincerely-held religious belief that marriage is the sacred union of one man and one woman.” The cake-bakers, florists and wedding photographers are also going to need protection. But even if the Court provides such protections, if it redefines marriage in the way the plaintiffs in this case require, the country will change for Christians. Saints who care must begin now to pray that God will not allow it. http://ncfr.net/ncfr.net/subdomains/commentary/Downloads/Penna_Dexter/Penna-04-17-2015.mp3