Sometimes we must choose against our natural impulses. In fact, Jesus describes his followers as those who always choose against their normal tendencies when he describes the way of self-denial. We Jesus followers, Christians, tend to think our way of self-denial should be the standard for all others. If we would just be honest about our own lack we might be taken more seriously.

Bob Hyatt thinks there is one last chance for a win-win on the issue of same-sex-marriage (SSM). He appeals to those of us committed to Jesus to recognize how our long held assumptions may need to be subverted by a change of heart.

We have long had a difficult time parsing Church and State issues. For instance we do not want the State inserting itself in religious matters but do not think twice about signing a marriage license issued by the State. We not only sign the license but we note where our credentials to do so are recorded “Book and Page.” We even utter the words signaling the right we have under the State to solemnize marriage. But, when the debate treks in a way we find blatantly violating our sensibilities, we want to tell the State what we are doing is different than what we have been doing. Huh? A little late isn’t it.

Bob’s suggestion has long been my suspicion. Let’s be honest about what marriage is under the rubric of the State and let’s find a way to address the legal implications. Then we could be free to express the sacramental or sacred visions we have of marriage in the Church. But, until we in the Church own our history with the State regarding marriage as something different than what we think we are doing before God and witnesses we will always be at risk of fighting with ourselves.