Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality

We believe that God wonderfully and immutably creates each person in his image as male or female. These two distinct, complementary genders together reflect the image and nature of God (Gen. 1:26–27). Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person. 

We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive covenantal union in order to point to the covenantal union between Christ and the church (Gen. 2:18–25; Eph. 5:31–33). We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other (1 Cor. 6:18; 7:2–5; Heb. 13:4). We believe that God has commanded that no intimate sexual activity be engaged in outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. 

We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, transgender behavior, polyamorous behavior, bisexual conduct, sexual abuse, bestiality, incest, and use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God (Matt 15:18–20; 1 Cor 6:9–10). 

We believe that in order to preserve the function and integrity of Oahu Theological Seminary (OTS) as a servant to faithful Christian churches on Oahu and to provide a biblical role model to students of the seminary and the community, it is imperative that all persons employed by OTS in any capacity, including the board of directors, or who serve in any capacity at the seminary, paid or unpaid, agree to and abide by this Statement on Marriage, Gender, and Sexuality (Matt. 5:16; Phil. 2:14–16; 1 Thess. 5:22). Non-teaching contract work is exempt from being required to affirm this statement. 

We believe that God offers redemption and restoration to all who confess and forsake their sin, seeking His mercy and forgiveness through Jesus Christ (Acts 3:19–21; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 Cor. 6:9–11). We believe that every person must be afforded compassion, love, kindness, respect, and dignity (Mark 12:28–31; Luke 6:31). Hateful and harassing behavior or attitudes directed toward any individual are to be repudiated and are not in accord with Scripture and the culture of OTS.