Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

 

Every human being is created in the image of God as either male or female, which biological sex is encoded genetically by the sovereign act of God and manifested physiologically prior to birth. The term “marriage” has only one meaning, and that is marriage as sanctioned by God, which joins one man and one woman in a single, exclusive, covenantal union, as delineated in the Bible. Since marriage is biblically defined as between one man and one woman, all homosexual, polygamous, or polyamorous unions are sinful and offend God. Marriage, as ordained by God, is established as the cornerstone of the institution of the family unit and for child-rearing, disciple-making, stewarding the earth, building civil society, blessing God’s creation, and enjoying the blessings of God.

 

God also created sex and, within the boundaries established by God, sex is good, beautiful, and designed with specific purpose, including for procreation, joy, and companionship. God intends sexual acts and intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other, and God has commanded that no sexual activity occur outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. Any form of sexual immorality, such as adultery, fornication, homosexual conduct, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, pedophilia, use of pornography, or any attempt to modify, change, transform or disregard one’s biological sex, or any attempt to intentionally present one’s physical features or dress to be opposite of one’s biological sex, is sinful and offends God.

 

A biblical ethic on marriage and sexuality is a critical tenet of the Christian faith as a matter of historical orthodoxy, doctrinal consistency, and scriptural authority. The Issachar Imperative will continue to teach, advocate, and espouse that marriage is a sacred union between one man and one woman, only, and that sexual acts are exclusively limited to marriage so understood. In doing so, the Issachar Imperative strives to preserve, strengthen, and restore a biblical view of marriage and sexuality that honors God and promotes the common good now and for coming generations.

 

(Genesis 1:27-28, 2:18-26, 5:1-2; Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18, 20:10-21; Song of Songs; Matthew 19:3-12; Mark 10:1-9; Romans 1:24-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-7:7; Ephesians 5:22-6:4; Hebrews 13:4)