Same-sex marriage is here for the present in America.
The question is where does it go from here?
There are at least four possibilities for America.
One possibility is that same-sex marriage becomes generally accepted and those who oppose it become more isolated and marginalized. Along with that will come other consequences. The Apostle Paul will be labeled a homophobe and the Old Testament considered largely irrelevant–how can a God who gives his nation homophobic laws be considered relevant in a society that accepts same-sex marriage as normative?
A second possibility is that, like abortion, the Church continues to oppose same-sex marriage, and that while accepted legally, America remains split morally over the issue.
A third possibility is that a later Supreme Court, with one or more evangelical members, overturns Obergefell, or a constitutional amendment is approved defining state sanctioned marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
A fourth possibility is that same-sex marriage, while available legally, becomes exceedingly rare and therefore the right to it largely irrelevant in America.
And here is the really scary thing for the American Church and American Christians individually: it really depends on what you do. No possibility is written in stone.
Something that is written in stone is Jesus’ words. Jesus said Christians are the salt of the earth, but if salt loses its saltiness it is good for nothing but to be thrown down and trampled under foot by men. See Matt. 5:13. Christians can lead or be cast aside and be persecuted. There is no neutrality in a fallen world.
I’ve never been a fan of the I’ve-read-the-back-of-the-book-and-we-win mentality. In fact, I can honestly say I’ve never said that. I think that mentality leads to complacency.
Instead of reciting the back of the book, Christians need to write the pages of history necessary to get there. GS