What follows is one of the most articulate and powerful speeches you are likely to view this year. It is by Rev. Calvin Robinson, who recently argued at the Oxford Union as to why Christianity should not allow gay marriage, or even the blessing of same-sex unions.
Robinson’s twelve-minute talk is a model of graciousness, fidelity to historic Christian doctrine, and personal courage. And as such, it is rightly going viral on social media, amassing over 46,000 views in under a week. Robinson begins by stating:
We are up against the authorities.
Three bishops from the established church. That means that I am either wrong, and Christians have been teaching incorrectly for the last two-thousand years—or Jews and Christians for the last four to six thousand years—or we have church leaders attempting to drag the church into apostasy.
Neither way is good.
Robinson then goes on to succinctly outline the classic case for Biblical sexuality. That God’s design for those made in His image is for the life-long conventional union between one man and one woman.
As Robinson, rightly states:
Sex outside of marriage is a sin and that is the same of heterosexuals as it is for homosexuals. Although, the Bible is quite clear that same-sex relations are abhorrent.
And before same smart Aleck starts asking me the question of whether I am wearing mixed fabrics, there is a difference between the moral laws and ceremonial laws. And Christ did come to fulfil the old laws.
Both the issues of marriage and homosexuality however, are still addressed in the New Testament. In Paul’s epistles but also in the Gospels. Jesus does talk of marriage in both Mark and Matthew within the context of heterosexual union.
So, my question to the bishops would be, “Do we not believe in the authority of Scriptures anymore? Can we pick and choose which parts of the Gospel we adhere to?
The church after all is Christ’s bride—as we heard earlier—Jesus is described as the bridegroom, so we may know how he relates to us. Two grooms would be pointless. Christ is already in union with the Father and the Holy Spirit. It’s us He is inviting in.
Two brides is what we are looking at here. The church is attempting to marry itself. To leave Christ out of the picture.
The whole speech by Robinson is worth listening to and absorbing, for it is as compelling as it is concise. It is in his conclusion though, that Robinson really lands his knockout blow. Robinson declares:
So, as I wrap up, my message to the opposing side is, “Do not lead us astray. Do not lead people astray. Do not be the wolves in sheep’s clothing. Do not be the false teachers the Bible warns us about.
Remember your obligation to defend the faith. Stop teaching about diversity, inclusion and equality and get back to teaching about redemption and salvation. This is spiritual neglect. Help people by telling them the truth.
Be kind to people by supporting them through their struggles and reminding them that Christ suffers with them. But be compassionate by leading them to Christ when the world tries to lead them away from Him.
The church is imploding. And the faithful masses have stopped turning up on Sundays. And we are seeing the most rapid decline in Christianity in this country which we have perhaps ever seen.
Do not accelerate it with heresy. You do not have the authority to bless sin.
It is both refreshing and rare to see an Anglican clergyman today be so bold and unequivocal in his stand for historic Christian doctrine. It is a sign that all is not lost. And that what’s more, at least some in the Anglican Church of England of waking up to the error of Wokeness.
