Torch, Fall/Winter 2007

preach publicly undermines the Gospel, which alone has the power to transform hearts and minds. This recognition, that the Gospel drives us and that our political agenda is only a supplement, should foster both confidence and caution. We can accomplish what God has set out for us, for He works through us. We must realize, with fear and trembling, that our public, political face ought to reflect God’s glory. If our words and actions correspond, even our opponents will recognize His authentic presence in us. If they do not, the world will see yet another political agenda and little else. Dr. Mark Caleb Smith is assistant professor of political science at Cedarville University and director of the University’s Center for Political Studies ( www.cedarville.edu/cps ). He holds degrees from Bryan College, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the University of Georgia. His primary research interests are religion and American politics. Dr. Smith has provided commentary to various news outlets and organizations, such as Focus on the Family. He and his wife, Denise, have three children. T 22 TORCH and others began to press for explicit, traditional definitions through state laws or constitutional amendments. As of now, forty-three states have codified a traditional, male–female view of marriage. Massachusetts, through its Supreme Judicial Court, has imposed gay marriage based on its interpretation of its own constitution. Six other states have recognized civil unions between same-sex couples. These unions provide some of the legal benefits of marriage, but without the formal recognition of marriage. Christians have played an important role in this political response to gay marriage, and I think our activism has been appropriate. Marriage is an institution founded by God, so it should not surprise us that the social science data overwhelmingly indicate that God’s definition of the institution — as between a man and a woman — is conducive to stable societies and healthy, productive children. Our actions have also been consistent with the Constitution. While we, as of now, may not discriminate against homosexual conduct, nor deprive those in a homosexual lifestyle of the equal protection of the law, we may define marriage traditionally, particularly at the state level. The political success of protecting marriage, however, is not final for two reasons. First, there is the possibility that the Supreme Court, based on its recent precedents, will strike down those state laws and constitutional amendments. If this occurs, the only recourse will be to amend the federal constitution so that it defines marriage traditionally. This was attempted, and failed, in 2006. Second, our defense of marriage, as Christians, has uncovered some of our collective hypocrisy. As agents of change, we ought to strive for laws that honor and glorify God. Our pursuit of those policies is public. As our arguments for traditional marriage are heard, our opponents drown in our cries for this sacred bond God has forged. Our actions, however, often fall short of our rhetoric. So long as divorce rates within Christendom correspond to those outside it, our words appear hollow, ungodly, and merely political. Our inability to practice privately what we rarely fail to P olitics takes center stage in 2008 as the presidential election approaches. This is a critical opportunity for Kingdom citizens to engage our culture with the heart and mind of Christ. The next issue of TORCH (spring–summer) will seek to make sense of the events, the issues, and the rhetoric and encourage each of us to align our thoughts, words, and actions with timeless biblical truth. ELECTION ’08