Love Matters, Truth Doesn't

The learned folk who lead and influence the Church of England continue to work overtime. The hapless denomination has been accused of abandoning marriage by claiming it is no better than cohabitation for family life. A report from the Archbishops’ Commission on Families and Households called Love Matters states that ‘the quality of family relationships matters more than the form a family takes’. In a section headed Celebrating Diversity In Family Life, it coos: ‘It is critical to recognise and value all kinds of loving couple relationships.’

The Commission Chair, Janet Walker, told Premier Christian News: “What we want to get across as a message in this report, is that any relationship, including a Christian marriage, that is committed and loving is just wonderful for people to flourish, at the same time saying that that doesn’t mean that other kinds of relationships are any lesser if they are committed and loving.”

Why limit such relationships to couples? Why can’t three people who really love each other have a relationship worthy of Anglican commendation? Or a biological brother and sister, whose love and commitment are currently hindered by antiquated legislation and irrational religious bigotry? Why cannot the state church celebrate their relationship? Give the C of E ten years, and they shall, mark my words. 

If only the authors of this Report asked why former generations did not share their clear vision and refined understanding of marriage and sexual ethics. If only the Reformers, the Puritans, the revivalists and even the first Anglo-Catholics had the wit and foresight enjoyed by today’s Church of England leadership. Or might previous generations' refusal to condone unmarried cohabitation or same sex couplings be because they were faithful to God’s word, while today’s Anglican Church is enthusiastically waving goodbye to Christian orthodoxy?

All people, without exception, are to be loved and valued. However, the Bible is God's word, and ought to be heeded even when its message is unpopular and unfashionable. Truth is still true, whether we believe it or not.