Heated Point/Counterpoint on the Definition of Marriage Sunday at Skyline Church

Skyline Church is hosting a most unusual event this Sunday evening:

"Conversation on the Definition of Marriage" Sunday Night, July 29, 6 PM

A Message from Skyline Church Senior Pastor Jim Garlow: 

"Do you ever tire of the name calling that occurs when we try to make a
biblical case for marriage?  You know the names.  We are labeled 'homophobes,' 'intolerant' and much, much worse.

Over the years – while I have fought for the preservation of the natural, traditional, biblical definition of marriage – I have also spent time investing in relationships with those who appear to be most hostile to my scriptural convictions.

The result is that I have quite a few friendships with people in somewhat visible roles of leadership who radically oppose my convictions.  However, I continue those relationships because I think it is the right thing to do.

In that spirit, I am hosting a 'conversation' between two individuals who stand for biblical marriage…and two others who want to change the definition of marriage. You will find the names of all four individuals below.

I recognize that this is not the calling of all persons.  But about six or seven years ago, God clearly called me to form friendships with those who might be most hostile to biblical positions to see if I could assist in providing 'clarification above the clamor.'  So I have walked in obedience to that calling from God.

In that spirit, I am hosting this 'conversation' in hopes of modeling how to have respectful, thoughtful, civil discourse on the definition of
marriage.

Make no mistake about it:  my belief that marriage consists of one man and one woman is rock solid.  Because that is God’s view.  Always has been.  Always will be.

But I am concerned about the seeming inability for respectful conversation to occur regarding this highly volatile topic.  I pray that this conversation will assist in taking the conversation to a Christ honoring level."

Here are the four panelists:

Advocates for marriage as "one man-one woman":

• Robert Gagnon, Ph.D. Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, considered by some to be the world’s top expert biblical exegete on the subject of homosexuality.
  and
• Jennifer Roback Morse, Ph.D. Founder of the Ruth Institute and author ofSmart Sex: Finding Lifelong Love in a Hook-up World.

Advocates for marriage to include "two men or two women:”

• Bishop Eugene Robinson, Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire and the first non celibate openly homosexual person to be elected
  as bishop in a liturgical denomination that advocates the historic episcopate)
  and
• John Corvino, Ph.D. Chair of the Philosophy Department, Wayne State
  University, Detroit, and author of Debating Same Sex Marriage

No matter what your view is on the definition of marriage, come join in on the conversation. www.skylinechurch.org