July’s announcement from the United Church of Christ that the denomination passed a resolution on gay marriages created no small stir.

The news that the United Church of Christ affirms “equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender” is hailed by some and held in bewilderment by others.

However, for those of us who belong to another church tradition known as churches of Christ, the questions we have received from friends and neighbors call for clarification.

Though the United Church of Christ and the Stone-Campbell Movement have some common links in the early 1800s, churches of Christ have a very different way of understanding both culture and Scripture. Though the names may be similar, the theological and political gaps are significant. Since churches of Christ practice autonomy, no single posture could be suggested as normative. Yet, in light of July’s announcement, it seems important to think deeply about some likely differences.

First, for most persons in churches of Christ to think about developing a political framework based on a person’s sexuality or race or gender would be almost unthinkable. For us, the defining identity is that which we receive through the practice of Christian baptism. In short, Christian identity is defined by following Jesus, not by one’s sexuality.

Second, though members of churches of Christ strongly uphold the rights of all persons, including homosexuals, to buy a house, receive medical care or find equity in the workplace, it strikes us as odd that a Christian denomination would ignore the witness of Scripture and Christian tradition to accommodate the relatively recent cultural pressure to change something as foundational as marriage. One might expect such a move in secular contexts, but not from a body that characterizes itself as Christian.

Third, churches of Christ take seriously the authority of Scripture. We believe that Scripture discloses the intent of God for humankind. We believe that ancient cultures and peoples living in the time of the creation of sacred texts were neither naive or unenlightened. Ancient Christians lived in environments where all manner of lifestyles were pursued. And Scripture’s voice is unequivocal.

Scripture calls for restraint and integrity in every aspect of life, including our sexual lives.

Scripture’s witness encompasses all aspects of life and society. Compassion to the poor and solidarity with homeless people are vital, indispensable practices. Likewise, the Christian is called to a personal standard of integrity, self-discipline and sexual control.

Returning to sexual ethics, it matters not whether a person is heterosexual, bi-sexual or homosexual, all are called to live with restraint.

Fourth, churches of Christ take seriously the scriptural covenant of marriage. Marriage, originating in the creative work of God, is rooted in the natural, created order of things. We believe that God made male and female; together, maleness and femaleness, reflect the image of God (Genesis 1.27).

Marriage reflects the complete picture of God’s image. Thus, the Judeo-Christian tradition of one man and one woman living in community and fidelity to one another is a living demonstration of God’s dynamic and living presence.

Such a vision of marriage stands in stark contrast to the idea of same-sex marriage (not to mention infidelity, divorce and other ways in which humans struggle and sometimes fail in living out God’s intended ways).

To alter marriage to mean a relationship between two men or two women distorts God’s vision and flies in the face of history.

Fifth, churches of Christ uphold that every person is a person of worth and value, because God created each of us. We reject any notion that a person’s worth or value is enhanced or altered by whether they are recognized as married or not.

To make the claim that if “I can’t be married, then I’m not being validated as a person” makes no sense theologically. One’s value is determined by God, not by governmental mandate.

Furthermore, to claim that “I should be able to do whatever I want to do” may or may not have viability under the U.S. Constitution; however, it has little place within the frameworks of a community that is ordered by God’s values.

Sixth, members of churches of Christ would propose that at the center of life is the call to a life of discipleship. If Jesus is really Lord, then we must follow his lead. For persons who are serious about the model of Jesus then the question is not merely about who we will accept and embrace — Jesus has made it clear that his followers are to embrace any and all comers. And you will find, among churches of Christ, people from all walks of life — including homosexuals.

What may be the distinguishing character is the steady refusal to let any political point of view or race or sexual orientation be attached to the way of Jesus.

To explain, when a person says “I’m a gay Christian” or “I’m a Republican Christian,” then something less than Christianity is being asserted. Don’t misunderstand, I don’t think that a person can be simply a Christian without acknowledging all the other influences and sources that inform and shape life.

But the Christian life is a life that is constantly called on to relinquish political and ideological identities and embrace more fully a devotion to the way of Jesus.

To our friends and neighbors, to the communities that we live and work in, those of us who are a part of churches of Christ choose to take ethics and Scripture seriously.

The authority found in accepting the witness of Scripture is not undone by popular culture on one hand or homophobia on the other. In fact, all this hub-bub and clamor about gay marriage may well be a smoke screen that keeps all of us from really taking seriously the way of Jesus. That is to say, a way of living that looks deeper at life than who you happen to be sleeping with tonight.

CARSON E. REED is senior minister for the Northlake Church of Christ, Tucker, Ga. See his Web site at http://www.carsonreed.squarespace.com.