Pastor says something 'scary' during first Presbyterian same-sex wedding ceremony

Paul Kempf and Robb Gwaltney (center left and right) exchange vows at the Presbyterian Center Chapel in Louisville, Kentucky, on Sept. 3, 2015. (Presbyterian Church/Gregg Brekke)

While Rowan County, Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis was dealing with prison time for refusing to issue marriage licences to gay couples on Thursday last week, the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) held its first same-sex wedding ceremony for partners Paul Kempf and Robb Gwaltney, who said their vows in the Presbyterian Center chapel in Louisville, Kentucky.

"The concept of biblical marriage is very different [from] our modern views," said Pastor David Maxwell, who also presided over their wedding. "No biblical writer would have envisioned what we think of as a good marriage today—with concepts of equality and mutuality."

Charisma News editor Jennifer LeClaire cannot help but shake her head in dismay over the "scary" thing that Maxwell said. "No biblical writer could have envisioned it because the apostles and prophets only saw what God showed them and gay marriage was not part of His plan," she wrote.

Maxwell seems to believe that the Bible includes and even endorses same-sex marriage, but he also thinks that men having multiple wives or the forceful taking of wives from defeated people are also acceptable, LeClaire said.

"Yes, he really made the comparison between gay marriage and polygamy, forceful taking of wives and husbands owning wives. Shocking, I know," LeClaire said. "Is that what the leftists have planned next? Polygamy is already in the works, as well as bestiality."

But majority of Presbyterians disagree with Maxwell, said LeClaire, and she thinks that their opposing views are killing the denomination. And it looks like data agrees.

"A new report from the Office of the General Assembly shows that the denomination, which capitulated to the gay agenda, has less than 10,000 churches after an exodus of Bible-believing pastors," she said. "Recently, 34,000 black churches broke ties with the PCUSA, among others. Meanwhile, you have Presbyterian ministers who don't believe in God yet still claim to be Christians. Franklin Graham has had plenty to say about the PCUSA's apostasy."

By the end of 2014, they only had 1,667,767 members left. The numbers are dwindling year by year since they had 1,760,200 at the end of 2013 and 1,849,496 at the end of 2012, LeClaire said.

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
related articles
Same-sex marriage row: County clerk files countersuit against governor of Kentucky
Same-sex marriage row: County clerk files countersuit against governor of Kentucky

Same-sex marriage row: County clerk files countersuit against governor of Kentucky

T.D. Jakes affirms opposition to same-sex marriage, says media twisted his words
T.D. Jakes affirms opposition to same-sex marriage, says media twisted his words

T.D. Jakes affirms opposition to same-sex marriage, says media twisted his words

Kentucky county clerk jailed for same-sex marriage defiance as dispute goes on
Kentucky county clerk jailed for same-sex marriage defiance as dispute goes on

Kentucky county clerk jailed for same-sex marriage defiance as dispute goes on

News
Global Christianity faces major challenges in 2026 despite signs of growth, new report finds
Global Christianity faces major challenges in 2026 despite signs of growth, new report finds

A new global study has highlighted fresh developments affecting Christianity worldwide, with researchers pointing to demographic shifts, persecution and urbanisation as some of the key areas of focus for church leaders.

Anxious wait for pastor prosecuted for preaching outside hospital
Anxious wait for pastor prosecuted for preaching outside hospital

A retired pastor who was prosecuted after preaching a sermon outside a hospital in Northern Ireland faces an anxious wait to find out the verdict in his case. 

Why Raye is right to choose a Bible app over Instagram
Why Raye is right to choose a Bible app over Instagram

In a world obsessed with being seen, heard and validated online, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Raye has made a refreshingly countercultural decision: stepping away from social media and leaning into Scripture instead.

Over 10,000 sign petition in support of church fighting outreach ban
Over 10,000 sign petition in support of church fighting outreach ban

The church has the support of Reform leader Nigel Farage.