A Lutheran Responds to the ELCA

I think the immigration laws of this country need to change.

I’m for health care reform.

I think the Bible is accurate in the message it conveys, but I don’t believe in the modern notion of inerrancy. In the words of a friend, “subjectivity is all there is.”

However, the ELCA just took one step further than I could ever go. As of Friday last week, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America now allows people in committed, same-sex monogamous relationships to be ordained as clergy. Further, the ELCA will now allow its churches to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies for couples seeking to married.

This vote ultimately wasn’t about sexuality. It was about Scripture and what place we allow it, as individuals and as a denomination, in our lives. Will it be at the head of the table or underneath our feet? Will it be the prime rib on our plate, or the place mat our plate sits on? The ELCA, sadly, has decided it will be the authority to God’s Word, not the other way around.

Scripture makes us uncomfortable at times, either in its silence or in its clarity. To my conviction (and to many others), Scripture is clear regarding homosexuality. I have been persuaded by the word of God, by thousands of years of faithful interpretation and by the sweet voice of Spirit. In the words of Martin Luther, “Here I stand, I can do no other.” As uncomfortable as this may make me personally, I cannot “unconvict” myself. I know many people–many good-hearted people–who are gay or lesbian and at times, it is hard for me to reconcile my affection for them and the teachings of Scripture. “If they are loving each other well,” I think to myself, “how can that be wrong?” But my emotions are not the authority. God’s word is.

It is clear from Scripture that God’s intent for human sexuality is between a man and a woman in the freedom of a covenant relationship. It is affirmed and held up as the standard from Genesis to Revelation by Yahweh, the Prophets, Jesus himself, St. Paul and St. John. Contrary to the popular argument, there is no “progressive truth” to behold here. This is not the same as eating pork or wearing a cotton-poly t-shirt. The original language does not affirm homosexuality no matter how it’s (poorly) translated. Jonathan and David were not lovers. We cannot make God’s word say something it does not, no matter how hard we might try.

I am frustrated that this had to come to a “vote.” Certainly because of the outcome, yes, but also because I feel we are “beating a dead horse,” that being the moral status of homosexuality. Even though my position is firm, I believe many years of faithful reconciliatory work between the gay and lesbian community and the Church is now strained. That community, to some degree, is saying, “We know where you stand. We get it. You think it’s sinful. Enough already.” While someone may hold the conviction that homosexuality is less than God’s best, one does not need to rub it in others’ faces mercilessly. It is much like a scab that is never allowed to heal: It is picked at for so long that the body is not allowed to do its job and effect healing. The wound is never permitted to close and healing, truly, never takes places. All that’s left is an ugly scar. That scar is on us as the Church. Simply put, you can hold a conviction while maintaining civility. One does not need to be a jerk in order to be “right.”

This isn’t about being “inclusive” or “accepting” or “welcoming.” God does not hate homosexuals. I don’t hate people who are gay and lesbian. Far from it. But I do believe the Bible is clear. This is my standard, no matter how hard it is for me to grasp at times. But even in my conviction, this does not mean I must hate people who disagree. I refuse to do that. Will you offer me the same courtesy?

The ELCA took an immeasurable step backwards last week, regardless of how progressive it believes itself to be. Being a lifelong Lutheran, it pains me to see the fracturing of this once great denomination. The ELCA will lose the support of many congregations. It will lose support from Lutheran partner churches in Africa, Asia and Europe. It will lose members like never before because it has lost its soul. I believe if Martin Luther himself were alive today, he wouldn’t recognize the denomination that claims his name, either in the spirit or the letter of the law.

Perhaps I am wrong. Hopefully I am. May God have mercy on the ELCA in this time of tribulation, even if that mercy means dissolution.

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Contributor: Justin Wise

I am a religious deviant who enjoys coffee, collared shirts, spending time with my wife and son, learning about quantum physics and creatively exploring the riches of the Spirit of Christ. Find more here: JustinWise.me
  • guest
    As the parent of a lesbian church/choir member in Baltimore, Maryland, I obviously have to take a different slant on your reasoning. My church, who by the way is probably pulling from the ELCA, has made the following statement about gay, lesbian visitors/ members: " we love you but we hate your sin". Does one think that will satisfy a gay visitor to the church? Is that the kind of environment a gay or lesbian young person will be happy in? No wonder my church ( where I am the music director) is dying and I am sure others will follow suit. This decision by the ELCA was bold. I was shocked to see how homophobic my pastor and church really are. Very soon my church will be losing me, (the choir director), my wife and daughter, both choir members. My church and others will be ripped apart. You can shout all you want that you "love gay people" and the ELCA decision really wasn't about sexuality but come on.....when a church makes the decision to pull from the ELCA. it has one thing written all over it... HOMOPHOBIC. PEACE
  • what i don't fully understand is why we waste so much time debating sexual orientation when there are starving and hurting people in the world...

    i can't help but wonder what the world might look like if we devoted as much energy to eradicating poverty and hunger as we do to eradicating homosexuality...
  • I don't see this as an example of the ELCA trying to interpret scripture to fit American societal values. Homosexual relationships have been around for thousands of years. I do believe that the Bible states the ideal relationship for the bearing of children and glory to God as being a man and woman, but even that has changed. Old Testament marriage was something other than we celebrate as Christians today. The practice of poligamy in ancient times was not seen as contrary to the God of Abraham. We’ve always tried to interpret the Bible in its context with history, and must coninue to do so.

    Churches that decide that they would better serve homosexuals in their community with an ordained minister that is of that orientation now have that option. What the Christian must decide is, how will I continue to serve Christ, love my neighbor, and serve God in light of the ELCA's decision. I see this time as a turning point; a paradigm shift, that will lead us into a greater understanding of the word of God, His will for us on earth, and an opportunity to delve deeper into scripture.

    God's blessing,
  • I'm having a hard time understanding why what some define as sexual sin has become a barrier to rostered ministry? What about drinking, divorce, gambling, pride, jealousy, or lust? Do we ask ordained ministers to be free from sin? Do we need a social statement that allows for these to prevent someone from serving God as an ordained minister? We have to be careful that we're not placing unreal expectations on God's children who choose to live their lives in service to Christ. We have all sinned. Priests, pastors, and ministers sin. I understand that ministers want to teach repentance, and that some see living in a homosexual relationship as unrepentant sin, but believe it's not for us to judge.

    I don’t think the ELCA has decided to be the authority over God’s word. This vote signifies that the ELCA will be accepting of people, no matter their sin, difference of opinions, or relationship choices. Martin Luther would understand that each person has the same access to God as the ELCA, synod, bishop, and pastor, and that we are each in charge of our own salvation.
  • Hi Justin - thanks for your post - I love hearing your thoughts on all this.
    Our church is struggling to understand the implications for us now in relation to our synod and the ELCA.

    I think what complicates the issue is the extent to which our membership looks at the Bible critically. To assume a majority of our congregation agrees/disagrees with the ELCA social statement is to assume they have an strong understanding of scripture to begin with. There's certainly a portion in our membership that might not have a good understanding of what the Bible says, or what theologians (fringe, or otherwise) have to say about the issue of sexuality in the Bible.
  • Jolly Ray
    Justin, my man,

    Great website and great discussion thread! This issue is something in Mass. that is a big deal for many small communities. Two of the scenarios that occur frequently here are 1) whether it [homosexuality] is a sin or not and 2) how to exist in relationship with either decision. I appreciate your statement that basically states that God loves the sinner and hates the sin. Yes, very true indeed. However, your thoughts about this 'ideal' situation breaks down a bit for me.

    I know you are a fan of looking at things in relation to an ideal situation (remember the debate for a class we had regarding abortion?) but I think this is different. If you do, in fact, believe that there is a black and white decision regarding the status of homosexuality, then how is it possible to be 'less than ideal', or something other than clearly ok or not? Just wondering what your thoughts are about that.

    Anyways, this is way too much like a discussion thread for school.... Im outa heeyah!
  • It's about time we got some Jolly Ray up in here!

    As far as the black and white, I am under the conviction that Scripture speaks to the ideal for human sexual relationships; that being man and woman.

    Now, in light of that, the Christian needs to realize that not everyone either A.) Sees the Bible as authoritative, B.) Cares what the Bible says, or C.) Sees homosexuality as a moral issue. We can hold a position on this issue–holding up the ideal put forth by Scripture–while still maintaining civility. While still respecting the fact that not everyone is on the same page with this.

    I'm at the point now where it's like, "OK, this decision has been made in the ELCA, so what am I going to do with it?" Essentially, we live in the gray right now, so how am I going to respond?

    I would love to hear what Dan Jass thinks about this. But those are my thoughts. What do you think?

    And yes, this does feel strangely like Blackboard!
  • Jolly Ray
    Well, Jass would definitely have some thoughts that would probably make us all a bit saddened, I'm afraid! (for his sake, at least...)

    I am in agreement with you; especially concerning the civility thing. There is no room for people who go around hurting people in many different ways with the 'truth'. I am wondering though how we are to approach those who feel as you mentioned: a,b , and c. The conservative side of this argument chooses to point out that people who say they believe one thing yet do not act upon those specific beliefs are foolishly lying to themselves and others. For instance, if a politician is personally pro-life yet gives credence to those who support abortion, there is a disconnect for many...

    I guess what I personally am dealing with these days is what you've called 'gray'. Why is it gray? Are we calling it gray because we realize there are those who don't agree with us; or is it possible that epistemologically there is no gray - there are just different ways we choose to relate to others in an empathetic way?

    I want to be bold in witnessing to the truth of things; and I am aware that there are fewer absolute truths than many conservatives are willing to admit. Yet at the same time, what does compassion look like even though relating with those who are in opposition to these truths look like?

    As you know, I am pretty jolly all around relationally speaking. Yet recently there have been some people who have challenged this because they are in opposition to pretty much everything you and I would say is true. It has been challenging to remain compassionate yet unwavering...

    Ray
  • Well said, Justin! Thank you for your transparency.
  • Thanks for your posts on this issue, Justin.

    The ELCA vote came just as I was reading Marin's "Love is an Orientation." And then reading the responses to the vote. And then the responses to the responses...

    And what I think I have learned the past few weeks is:
    1. The time when American culture matched Biblical moral law is over (if it ever existed)
    2. Christians are still called to be witnesses to Christ in our culture
    3. A large part of that witness is our ability to show love to the nonbeliever and our ability to be unified with believers.

    So while I don't agree with the ELCA on their hermeneutic, I still count them as brothers and sisters in Christ. I honor their deep desire to bring healing and wholeness to their GLBT friends and family. I wish everyone agreed with me on homosexuality (and healthcare, the environment, social justice, evolution, dot dot dot), but we do agree on Christ. And apparently, in this fallen world, this has to be enough.
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