By an overwhelming majority of 105 to only 18, the Scottish Parliament has voted for the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill, to allow so-called same-sex marriage in Scotland. In jovial mood, many MSPs seemed well pleased with themselves. Meanwhile Scripture’s explanation and condemnation of the deplorable process could not be clearer:
“For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. . . . Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them” (Romans 1:26, 27, 32).
During the debate, John Finnie MSP made scoffing reference to a letter sent to all MSPs by Rev David Campbell, minister of the Edinburgh congregation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland. That such a faithful warning should go largely unheeded is a telling commentary on the hardness of heart so prevalent in our day. The full text of that letter, sent on 29 January 2014, is reproduced here.
To Members of the Scottish Parliament
Dear Member of the Scottish Parliament,
I am writing in connection with the forth-coming vote in the Scottish Parliament on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill. If you vote in favour of this Bill you will contribute to the defilement of marriage. The legal definition of what marriage is will be changed to include a sinful perversion. What is a divine institution defined by our constitutional Christian religion will be removed from all laws and statutes with your express, personal approval. I write to most seriously urge you not to do this. You are accountable to God for how you vote in this matter.
You will one day give a personal account and you will be judged for the deeds done in the body whether they be good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10), and this will include the action you take in voting at the Scottish Parliament on the Marriage Bill. In the name of God I must most solemnly warn you of the extreme moral evil and of solemn adverse consequences of your actions in our Parliament if you vote for this legislation. The sin you would be committing, however much you wish to convince yourself and others that you are justified in it, would be a grievous sin against God, against truth and against your country and your own soul. The Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill is highly immoral, entirely unnatural, constitutionally illegal, and absurdly irrational. It is meaningless to define marriage in terms of love because we are bound to love many people whom it will never be legally possible, wise or loving to marry. This legislation will certainly bring spiritual if not temporal judgements on Scotland if passed. With the great Day of Judgement in view, I urge you to seriously consider your position and to vote against this sinful and offensive legislation when it next appears before the Parliament.
Please seriously consider that this Bill is contrary to the plain statements of the Word of God in the Bible which defines marriage irrevocably and which utterly condemns homosexual relations as an aggravated sin and “vile affections” deserving of divine judgement. Please take time before the vote on Tuesday 4th February to read and pray for divine light on the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans, chapter 1 verses 18 to 32.
Please also consider that the Bill contravenes and breaches the terms of our constitutional Christian religion secured by the Treaty of Union, thus rendering it both ultra vires of the Scottish Parliament, illegal and null and void to all citizens. Please read the terms of the Treaty of Union and the Act of Security of the Protestant Religion in light of the plain statements of the Westminster Confession of Faith on marriage which is part of the religion by law established in Scotland. This Confession contains a constitutional definition of marriage which is beyond the power of the devolved Scottish Parliament to change. Removing it and replacing it with a new definition is a revolutionary destruction of the relationship between the Parliament and the Churches which continue to honour the commitment to the religion as by law established.
If you ignore this warning given in God’s name, I protest to God that I am clear from complicity in you dying in your iniquity (Ezekiel 3:17-19). My conscience is herewith purged from any involvement in the national sin which you would be plunging our nation into by voting in favour of this irresponsible and immoral legislation in the Scottish Parliament.
I will continue to pray that God will enlighten you in divine truth.
With concerned regards
Rev David Campbell