"A Response to the First Republican Senator to Support So-Called Same-Sex Marriage"

Recently, as you may have seen in the news, a republican senator, Rob Portman, came out in public support of so called "same sex marriage" by writting an editorial in which he explains why he changed his view. Here is a short podcast in which John Piper responds to the senator's arguments.

Piper points out that we, as Christians, must be aware of two things in the arguments being put forth:

1. The absolutizing of self-defined, self-determining happiness. This is the idea that a person's definition of what happiness entails is absolute and cannot be questioned, even if it is opposite to what God says brings true happiness and flourishing.1 
2. The use of general biblical themes (like love and compassion) to negate specific biblical commands (against sinful behaviors like homosexuality). 2

Take note of these and listen for them in the arguments you hear from those who would claim to be upholding the Bible and, at the same time, promoting so called "same sex marriage."

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In his Op Ed, Rob Portman says,
1As we strive as a nation to form a more perfect union, I believe all of our sons and daughters ought to have the same opportunity to experience the joy and stability of marriage.

2 "I wrestled with how to reconcile my Christian faith with my desire for Will to have the same opportunities to pursue happiness and fulfillment as his brother and sister. Ultimately, it came down to the Bible’s overarching themes of love and compassion and my belief that we are all children of God."