For the Gazette

CEDARVILLE — The Cedarville University Center for Political Studies will be hosting a forum to discuss the relationship between the Constitution and same sex marriage on 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Bradley Jacob, J.D., associate professor of law at Regent University, and Mark Caleb Smith, Ph.D., professor of political science at Cedarville, will be speaking on the legal and moral implications of Obergefell v. Hodges for Christians as well as how the church should respond. The event is free and open to the public.

“This could end up looking like Roe v. Wade, which has sparked several decades of controversy, or it could essentially just go away,” Smith said.

In his Bereans at the Gate blog analysis of the decision, “Gay Marriage: When we lose, we can still win,” Dr. Smith said, “We are a minority and we should expect to be treated as such. Our views are no longer in the mainstream and I don’t see that changing any time soon. For conservative Christians, we have too long placed our hope on the next election or a constitutional amendment.”

Smith and Jacob will discuss how Christians can respond appropriately, as well as how Christians will be affected by the decision.

Jacob has taught at Regent for more than 14 years and has served as general counsel for numerous Christian ministries that promote religious freedom and expression.

Jacob’s published works include “Griswold and the Defense of Traditional Marriage,” “Will the Real Constitutional Originalist Please Stand Up?” and “Back to the Basics: Constitutional Meaning and Tradition.” Jacob has previously taught at Patrick Henry College and Geneva College, as well as served as executive director of the Christian Legal Society.

The event will be held in the Center for Biblical and Theological Studies building (Room 115).