Liberal Christians tend to emphasize that divine revelation can come from many places, even outside the church. For example, many denominations don't allow same-sex marriages, while California law does.

"Culture is going to manifest Christ in a way that summons the church to new realities," said Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus.

These statements are incredibly revealing.  First, note that the paper describes efforts to normalize homosexuality have included "creating and cultivating a theology" that would serve their purposes.  That is a very helpful (and accurate) explanation.  There is no way that the received tradition can be twisted into support for same-sex marriage.

Second, observe the fact that the paper recognizes that those on opposing sides of this debate "use dramatically different lenses to interpret the Bible."  That is an understatement, but represents another helpful explanation.  The arguments put forth by proponents of same-sex marriage come down to assertions that the Bible does not say what it plainly does say, that Christians have misunderstood the critical passages until liberal scholars pushing this agenda have just discovered what the passages really mean, or that the Bible just has to be corrected in light of contemporary developments.

Third, note that the reporter explains that conservatives "say the Bible describes marriage as only between a man and a woman."  Any honest reader must acknowledge that the Bible describes marriage in exclusively heterosexual terms.

Fourth, on the other hand, note that liberals pushing for the normalization of homosexual behaviors and relationships are described as believing that "divine revelation can come from many places, even outside the church."  Episcopal Bishop Marc Andrus is quoted as saying, "Culture is going to manifest Christ in a way that summons the church to new realities."  In other words, who needs the Bible when you can just accept some new cultural authority in its place?

Proponents of same-sex marriage now attempt to argue that the only opposition to legalized homosexual marriage comes from conservative Christians pushing a narrow theological agenda.  They cannot possibly claim that conservative Christians control the vast majority of the world's nations in which same-sex marriage is decidedly not legal.

Still, the fact that the San Francisco Chronicle felt the need to publish a chart of Bible passages on homosexuality tells us something.  The very existence of these passages still troubles the consciences of those pushing the normalization of homosexuality -- whether within or without the church.

In addition to being one of Salem’s nationally syndicated radio talk show hosts, R. Albert Mohler, Jr. is the president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky and recognized as one of America’s leading theologians and cultural commentators. Contact Dr. Mohler at mail@albertmohler.com.