Area clergymen address today's advisory vote

April 3, 2007

Compiled by Mark Kelsey

Frontiersman

MAT-SU - Voters go to the polls today for an advisory vote about a state Supreme Court edict that ruled in favor of health benefits for same-sex partners of public employees. The question on the ballot asks if voters are in favor of amending the state Constitution to keep this from happening.

The ruling - and subsequent organization of today's advisory vote - has spawned debate around the state. Opponents of the court decision point to an already established constitutional amendment defining marriage as being between one man and one woman. Supporters of the ruling say it has nothing to do with marriage and point to the state Constitution's call for &#8220equal treatment under the law.”

To provide a different perspective, the Frontiersman asked several area clergy their thoughts on the question &#8220How should Christians approach the ballot box today?”

Here are the answers from the four who responded:

Ethan Hansen

Faith Bible Fellowship, Big Lake

King Uzziah reigned in Israel for more than 50 years. The year he died, Isaiah the prophet experienced a vision of God's throne. Isaiah saw God seated upon His throne.

Who is ultimately in charge? God is! &#8220… I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple …”

A king's greatness was indicated by the length of His robe. The train of God's robe filled the entire temple. The angels cried, &#8220Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts!”

The only attribute of God repeated three times in Scripture is His holiness. God is never described in the Bible as &#8220loving, loving, loving” even though He is loving. God is never described as &#8220merciful, merciful, merciful” even though He is merciful.

God's overriding attribute is that of holiness. Holiness means to be perfect and righteous.

God is holy. Over and over the Bible states that homosexuality is wrong (1 Corinthians 6:9, 1 Timothy 1:10). Who can forget the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis 19?

God created them Adam and Eve - not Adam and Steve. Romans 1 says that there are three steps in the downfall of a nation - idolatry, promiscuity and then homosexuality. When homosexuality is accepted God's judgment is not far behind.

Jesus the Messiah offers forgiveness and eternal life to everyone (including homosexuals), but first there must be repentance. Without repentance there is no forgiveness. Vote Yes!

Linus A. Mathis III

Frontier Christian Ministries, Wasilla

As a Minister of the Gospel of deliverance of the Lord Jesus Christ I never use my lectern to influence the ballot box. The people who frequent Frontier Christian Ministries' Teaching Center and sit under my teaching are loving and intelligent. Consequently, they will vote in accordance to the dictates of their hearts and not allow any man's opinion to sway them.

God has afforded me a priceless privilege in putting me in trust of the Gospel. I would not denigrate that honor by preaching politics. But I'd wager that those who whine the loudest demanding &#8220separation of Church and State” will use their position and lectern as a &#8220springboard” to influence the outcome of the vote.

Let your love for God and His Word be your guide in all you do.

David Pepper

Church on the Rock, Meadow Lakes

The decision by the Supreme Court justices ordering state and municipal governments to provide homosexual partners of state employees and retirees with health insurance and other benefits that are granted to the spouses of married employees is a tragedy. It is an example of activist judges creating a select status for homosexuals and scoffing at the definition of marriage in the state of Alaska.

As a Christian, my perspective, values and truth come from interpreting what the Bible says. From Genesis through Revelation, the Bible always defines or illustrates marriage as a covenant between a man and a woman. All other sexual relationships are viewed as sinful.

Liberal thinking would say that is intolerant. Here is what's intolerant: A group of individuals in black robes using their power to overturn the will of the people, refusing to accept the historical context of marriage and rejecting the established definition of marriage in the state of Alaska.

The logic of the decision is flawed and would open a Pandora's Box for future decisions. Where would the line be drawn?

Would we stop with homosexual partners? Would it expand to heterosexual partners that are not married?

The avalanche of decisions could eventually extend to the private sector, nonprofit organizations and churches. I believe this issue will go to the people to be voted on and an amendment will be approved nullifying the order by the Supreme Court justices.

Howard Bess

Church of Covenant, Palmer

I will enter the voting booth on Tuesday not as a Baptist minister, but as an American and Alaska citizen. While my voting will be informed by my Christian faith, my primary commitment is to the the Constitution of the Unitied States.

Tuesday is not a time for us to quote our favorite Bible passage.

I truly believe that our founding fathers intended a nation of equality for all. They wisely separated church and state. This system allows us to have all kinds of quirky elements in our religious convictions. However, our religious peculiarities have no authority at election time to supersede the rights granted by our state and federal consitutions.

Our schoolchildren regularly pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. They end the pledge with these words: &#8220with liberty and justice for all.”

Obviously, I will be voting &#8220no” on the proposition that would deny same-sex partner benefits in Alaska. Do those who plan on voting &#8220yes” really want to rewrite our state Constitution and teach our children to recite a pledge with modifiers?