See also page 34 of this issue for "Marriage Under Siege," by Roy Adams, plus the official Seventh-day Adventist Church statement on marriage.

have no illusions about the impact of this editorial, which takes up the biblical view of marriage. Some readers will find its reasoning outmoded, its conclusions narrow. For non-Christians who happen to see it, it may come across as bigoted and partisan.

As I write, the issue of gay and lesbian relationships is dominating the media in America. The Episcopal Church has elected its first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson. A divorced father of two grown daughters, Robinson has lived openly with another man for 13 years. This church also blesses same-sex unions. And now the question of such relationships has spread far wider: Should same-sex unions be considered marriage?

The response that follows is based on the Bible. I am not primarily concerned with what the state should or should not do in recognizing these unions. But first, because of the strong emotions and misunderstandings that a discussion involving homosexuality frequently engenders, I shall lay down some foundations.

First, I hold that all people--gay, lesbian, or "straight"-- are children of God, sons and daughters of the heavenly Father, who loves every one. I abhor attitudes and actions that single out homosexuals for scorn, derision, or abuse.

I draw a sharp line between sexual orientation and practice. To me, homosexuality introduces an element that is alien to my makeup and difficult for me to grasp. I accept what many gays and lesbians say: that from their earliest sexual awareness they found themselves to be "that way"; that they have suffered--and still suffer--in trying to deal with this identity; that this is not something they freely choose. Although I find their pain difficult to enter into, I accept its reality.

But inclination does not have to determine action. All of us--and I am speaking of Christians--find ourselves pulled this way or that by factors that reach back into the gene pool or our upbringing. We may find it easier to lie than to tell the truth, but by God's grace we do not have to lie, any more than we have to fornicate or become a drunkard because our very being leans in that direction.

The tenor of modern thought is: Satisfy your sexual urges. If your orientation is homosexual, find a gay or lesbian partner. If you are heterosexual and single, find a "straight" partner. But the man or woman who earnestly seeks to follow God's will in the world lives by a different norm: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20, NIV). "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31, NIV).

The Bible does not countenance a homosexual lifestyle. Although attempts have been made in recent years to argue otherwise, Paul's reasoning in places like Romans 1:24-27 leaves us in no doubt. Here is a fact of history: homosexuality was practiced by the Greeks and was widespread in the Roman Empire, but the early Christians had no part of it. And this also is a fact: for almost the entire 2,000-year span of Christian history, the idea of gay ministers and gay churches, let alone gay bishops or gay marriages, could not get on the radar screen. Only in our times have Christians even contemplated such departures.

Since a careful study of the Scriptures makes their stance quite clear vis-à-vis homosexual practices, the only question left is: Does the biblical teaching still apply today?

For Seventh-day Adventists, a people who seek to live by the Word of God, the answer must be yes! Our view of sexual relationships stems from Genesis, where we find God's plan for marriage. Sexual expression finds its legitimate place in the lifelong union of a man and woman under God.

Genesis plays an important role for Adventists. The first two chapters provide the basis for three of our fundamental beliefs: Creation, the Sabbath, and marriage. These beliefs begin here, but the whole Bible underscores them.

The Sabbath has long set us apart. More and more the other two fundamentals also seem destined to mark us out as distinctive.

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