New video by Exposing the ELCA

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_I just came across a recap of the happenings at the now famous ELCA and worshippers of Isis conference, officially called “The 5th Annual Faith and Feminism – Womanist – Mujerista Conference,” that was held at the ELCA’s Ebenezer Lutheran church (herchurch) in San Francisco. (See the previous blog here).  The synopsis of the conference provided some extremely important information.  Dr. Mary Streufert, the ELCA Director for Justice for Women, from the Office of the Presiding Bishop (see here) was a keynote speaker at the conference.  During her teaching titled, "Jesus Christ Beyond the Divide: A Christian Feminist Proposal," she presented images of a female Jesus to the gathering. This comes from the account of Dr. Aldredge-Clanton, which was posted on Ebenezer Lutheran's website.  I think it is reasonable to assume they are giving a truthful account of what happened. Here is what Dr. Aldredge-Clanton said exactly, “. . . I experience Dr. Mary Streufert’s erudite and engaging presentation that includes female images of Jesus Christ, providing a bridge for feminism to move into traditional Christianity.” (read here)

On an older Ebenezer Lutheran church webpage, which detailed the then upcoming conference, a preview is given of Dr. Streufert’s talk.  At the end of the preview it says, “(y)ou can expect some interesting images!”  (see here)

I find it very troubling that a leader in my denomination, straight from the headquarters of the ELCA and Office of the ELCA's Presiding Bishop, is mocking our Lord and Savior like this. How fitting that Dr. Streufert does this at a conference at which many of the teachers and speakers are priestesses of Isis or of other goddesses.  Maybe even more troubling than Dr. Streufert’s blaspheme is the fact that the ELCA is allowing this.

I have to believe that showing images of a female Jesus is nothing new to Dr. Streufert.  In Dr. Streufert’s book, Transformative Lutheran Theologies: Feminist, Womanist, and Mujerista Perspectives, she writes a chapter titled, “The Person of Christ from a Feminist Perspective: Human and Divine, Male and Female.” (see here)

Propagating a female Jesus is blasphemous.  Changing Christ into a god of your own fashion and design, in opposition to the testimony of Scripture, is in reality, creating a new god.  This female Jesus, which feminists in the denomination love to call “Sophia,” is not The Son, Jesus.  It is a false god.  The ELCA is promoting and involving itself in idolatry.

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Marcus Borg is not a name many laypersons would know, but he is very popular with the leadership of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.  Mr. Borg has spoken at many ELCA functions and his books are well read throughout the denomination.  But who is Marcus Borg?

Borg’s own website says, “Marcus J. Borg is Canon Theologian at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon. Internationally known in both academic and church circles as a biblical and Jesus scholar. . .” (see here)  He is the author of nineteen books.  Mr. Borg is also a member of the Jesus Seminar, which has been described as “. . . a self-promoting, pretentious attempt to popularize a historical Jesus, which is more culturally appealing. While claiming to represent the mainstream of critical New Testament scholarship, the Seminar might be likened to a sideshow rather than the center-ring attraction.” (see here)  

Marcus Borg is wildly popular with ELCA leadership, (which I will show you a little later in this blog) but first you should know what this man teaches and believes.  The best way to do that is by hearing it from the man himself.  Mr. Borg says:

“I let go of the notion that the Bible is a divine product. I learned that it is a human cultural product . . . As such, it contained their understandings and affirmations, not statements coming directly or somewhat directly from God"

"Seminary also introduced me to the historical study of Jesus and Christian origins. I learned from my professors and the readings they assigned that Jesus almost certainly was not born of a virgin, did not think of himself as the Son of God, and did not see his purpose as dying for the sins of the world"

"I cannot believe that God could have stopped the Holocaust but chose not to, just as I cannot believe that God responds to some prayers for healing and protection and not others...It is difficult to believe in such a God"

"The pre-Easter Jesus is the historical Jesus...The post-Easter Jesus is what Jesus became after his death. More specifically, the post-Easter Jesus is the Jesus of Christian tradition and experience..."

"Was the pre-Easter Jesus divine? NO...Is the post-Easter Jesus divine? Yes--the post-Easter Jesus of Christian experience and fully developed Christian doctrine is divine"

"As such, myths can be both true and powerful, even though they are symbolic narratives and not straightforward historical reports. Though not literally true, they can be really true; though not factually true, they can be actually true. The stories of Jesus' birth are myths in this sense. Along with most mainline scholars, I do not think these stories report what happened. The virginal conception, the star, the wise men, the birth in Bethlehem where there was no room in the inn, and so forth are not facts of history. But I think these stories are powerfully true...The stories of Jesus' death and resurrection contain a mixture of historical memory and mythical narration."
(read here)

Wow!!  It’s hard to believe that a leader in mainline Christianity can hold these beliefs.  But amazingly, the same things Borg says in these quotes are beliefs that are growing by leaps and bounds in the ELCA.

Pastor John Bent and Pastor Ralph Boyer have this to say about Borg and the Jesus Seminar, in which he is part of:
“Marcus Borg, the professor referred to in Bishop Hanson’s Report . . . was a primary member of the Jesus Seminar. The Jesus Seminar was the group of scholars who concluded that only 18% of the words attributed to Jesus in the Gospels were probably spoken by him. Things like the miracles of Jesus and the physical reality of Christ’s resurrection are dismissed as the words of ancient people who misunderstood what happened.

Scholars like Marcus Borg would say that they take the Bible seriously, but they do so in a very different way than Christians have for 2000 years, ways that discount many of the basic beliefs of Christianity and the life of Christ. Once you do that, questions of sexuality (and whatever issues come next) are no longer decided on the basis of Scripture, but on the basis of the powerful voices of the culture around us.”  (read here)

This man, Marcus Borg, whose views are about as heretical as you can get, is a very respected scholar and highly sought after speaker by the ELCA leadership.  Let me show you:

  • Wartburg Theological Seminary (ELCA) hosts guest speaker Marcus Borg (see here)
  • Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod hosted Tri-Synodical Theological Conference held January 24-26, 2011.  Marcus Borg was keynote speaker.  (see here)
  • ELCA website promoting a book written by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan (see here)
  • The ELCA publication “Seeds for the Parish” recommends a Marcus Borg book for use during the Lenten season. (see here)
  • Lutheran Woman Today highlights Mr. Borg's teachings. (see here)
  • South Central Synod of Wisconsin promotes event Marcus Borg will be part of (see here)
  • Promoted by Rocky Mountain Synod Assembly, Marcus Borg Lectures at Messiah Community Church, ELCA October 29-31, 2010.  (see here)
  • Marcus Borg writes cover story for "The Lutheran," an ELCA magazine (see here)
  • Nebraska Synod, ELCA recommends Marcus Borg book (see here)
  • Marcus Borg speaks at The Virginia Synod, ELCA gathering (see here)
  • Marcus Borg, a “Jesus Seminar scholar” to speak at 2010 Johnson Symposium on Faith and Society at ELCA church in Minneapolis. (see here)
  • ELCA.org promoting Marcus Borg video curriculum First Light (see here) and running advertisement for the video series (see here)
  • Mr. Borg speaks at ELCA’s Gettysburg College (see here)
  • ELCA Pastor’s Bible study on Marcus Borg book (see here and here and here)
  • Marcus Borg speaks at ELCA affiliated St. Olaf College (see here)
  • Marcus Borg lecture is promoted on Oregon Synod e-news blog (see here)
  • The ELCA publication “The Lutheran” reports on a seminar hosted by St. John Lutheran Church, Sudbury, Mass, which is lead by Marcus Borg. (see here)
Do I need to list more?  I could.  If you do a google search on  “elca” “marcus borg” you will come up with many more events and connections.  Here is one more example and one person’s related "letter to the editor" of the publication.

ELCA publication “Lutheran Partners” reviews Living the Questions 2.0 video series in which Marcus Borg is one of the contributors. (see here)

To which a letter to the editor responded:

“Geoffrey Scott's recent review and implied recommendation of the Living the Questions 2.0 education materials greatly alarms me. Once more I am left wondering if the ordained and lay leaders of the ELCA truly have any real partnership in the gospel together.

The Living the Questions curriculum is linked to the so-called "progressive Christianity" movement. The eight primary tenets of this ecumenical, loose affiliation of mainline Protestant congregations include the belief that all faiths lead to God apart from the unique atoning work of Jesus Christ in his life, death, and resurrection; that the unbaptized should be admitted to communion; and that the historic, biblical doctrines of Christianity are, in large part, no longer helpful or necessary. This "progressive Christianity" therefore stands in direct opposition to apostolic Christianity.

Moreover, among the authors of the Living the Questions materials are John Spong, Marcus Borg, and John Crossan. All three deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus and denounce many of the basic, creedal core beliefs of Lutheran Christianity and historic Christianity in general. Living the Questions presents a different gospel than the gospel of Jesus Christ, proclaimed in Scripture.

What then are we to make of the endorsement Lutheran Partners gives to this curriculum — indeed, to this heretical teaching? It leaves me to surmise that the key leaders of the ELCA would have local pastors and educators incorporate these materials into their teaching and education ministries. I can think of hardly anything worse.

As the Lord says to us, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Living the Questions is another example of that wolf. And such a wolf, if left unchecked, will eventually consume the whole flock.”  (see here) 

Why is Marcus Borg allowed to speak and teach at so many ELCA functions?  Why are his books being used and promoted in the ELCA?  It is because Marcus Borg’s teachings resonate with the leadership of the ELCA.
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There has been a lot of talk and publicity on the idolatry and goddess worship happening at the ELCA church, Ebenezer Lutheran, in San Francisco (otherwise known as “herchurch”).  If you haven't seen it yet please check out what is happening at their November conference (see here and here).  Of great importance is the fact that the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop is being represented at the conference and that person will be speaking.  Since this is an important topic, I thought I would share with you some more information about this conference and the ELCA pastor responsible for it. 

First, I came across a blog discussing “herchurch’s” 2009 conference.  This comes from the perspective of one of the conference speakers.  She says: 

“I was very, very surprised at the feeling of singing words of love and praise to the Sacred Feminine in hymn tunes which were already familiar.”

“A rich and wonderful conference such as this with the title ‘Marys, Madonnas, Goddess-with-Us’ wouldn’t be complete without small group workshops for integrating sacred feminine spirituality through creative artwork or conversations with presenters, or more meditation and chanting. . . I kept seeing people walking around with Goddess dolls, wands really, that were magical and potent and strong in color and feeling. It turned out they were from a workshop given by the artist Linda Roberts. They were personal creations that each creator seemed to be in love with, and I’m sure they will grace many home altars.”

“Once we understand that Mary Magdalene is the voice of the Goddess Herself in Christianity, it becomes very interesting to learn her symbolic language so we can hear her better in our own dreamworld and artwork.”

“It was a very full weekend; full of love, full of respect for Rev. Stacy Boorn and her courage within Christianity, and full of secret hopes for the religious changes we need to support ‘the New Creation’ we all want.” (see here)

Now let’s hear from the woman who is responsible for this yearly conference,  “herchurch” pastor Stacy Boorn (ELCA).

Toward the beginning of the interview Pastor Boorn talked about the people’s reaction to her church’s name, “herchurch”:
“. . . when we posted that on the front of the church, people would drive by and then identified the congregation as “herchurch,” knowing what we meant the deity was “her.”

The interviewer, soon after, asked about referring to goddess as “holy other.” Rev. Boorn, in her response said, “ . . . but ‘holy other’ also gives a sense of tie, I think with many religions’ traditions.”

Here are some more statements made by Rev. Boorn from that interview:

“. . . but way beyond the writing of those scriptures (the Bible) the wonderful work that we’ve tied into was Maria (inadible) Buddhist and others who showed us that for tens, and tens, and tens of thousands of years that there have been women leading societies, and goddess the head of that, and they produced peace communities . . .”

“For example, you know we have a Wednesday evening goddess rosary which is a ritual that we’ve developed . . . in a very similar way to a ritual of the Anglican or the Roman Catholic prayer beads but with a more intentional liberation connectiveness to the holy mother, goddess of us all. And so for some, people will pray prayers envisioning an actual in the womb or the Earth as the body of the 'holy other' or the cosmos as the mother so it is wide open and I think that is the important part of it.  On this journey with ‘she who is,’ there are many voices in the feminist religious world who have various takes, and I think it is important in what we do in this ritual community is to listen and use them all for our richness.”

“. . . we have in our communion at the goddess rosary, some persons who, when we talk about ‘mother, maiden, crone,” as a symbol or metaphor for the 'holy other,' there will be some in our community who will actually name three goddess, Isis and others . . .”

“The day is coming, I hope, when the patriarchal religious traditions are totally dismantled and something new comes forth and I think the feminists are going to make that happen.”

“Hopefully our congregation will not be just one but one of many.  And when we can be a model for others we are grateful to do that.” (listen here)

This goddess worshipping church, supported by the ELCA leadership wants to be a model for other churches.  Their pastor wants to see feminist goddess worship dismantle and replace historical Christianity worldwide. 

We cannot say  “well this is just one church.”  Not when this church has been supported and protected for years by the ELCA leadership.  Not when the ELCA Office of the Presiding Bishop is represented at their goddess worshipping conference.  The ELCA leadership is moving the denomination in this same direction.  I know I do not want to be part of a denomination that encourages the worship of demons and pagan gods.

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Fellow members of the ELCA, don’t miss this. 

Next month, an ELCA church in San Francisco, CA, will be hosting its annual heretical conference called “The 5th Annual Faith and Feminism – Womanist – Mujerista Conference.”  The ELCA church hosting this conference is called Ebenezer Lutheran, otherwise known as “herchurch.”  Ebenezer Lutheran is the church of Rev. Megan Rohrer, the first openly transgender minister ordained by the ELCA.

This year’s conference has many non-Christian events on the schedule, (see here), but I would like to highlight a few of the conference speakers.

On Friday night of the conference, at 10 p.m., you can participate in guided meditations with Lady Lorean of Isis Oasis.  I looked up “Lady Lorean of Isis Oasis,” and I found that she is high priestess and proprietor of a Temple and mystical center dedicated to the goddess Isis.  For those who may not know, Isis is the “ancient Egyptian goddess of fertility.” (see here)

Why is this person being brought in to speak at a conference conducted by an ELCA church?  And why is the ELCA churchwide allowing it?  Good questions to ask as we attempt to understand more about Lady Lorean.  Her website says:

- “If you are called by the Goddess, the Temple of Isis is the largest active Iseum in the world today. The Temple has initiated over a thousand priestesses in it’s thirty year history.” (see here)

- “You are invited to visit our mystical center dedicated to the Goddess Isis.” (see here)

- “THE STAFF . . . provides massage therapy, tarot, past life and astrology readings by appointment.” (see here)

Lady Lorean’s website also says that each week they offer "prayers at the altar of the great goddess Isis."  (see here)

A poem on the website says, "I am Isis the goddess, and I am the lady of words of power.  Isis, the goddess and great enchantress at the head of the gods."  (see here)

Elsewhere, on Lady Lorean’s website, we read, “We are hoping to create a spiritual community of like-minded people who can live by the Laws of Maat, the ancient Egyptian Goddess of Truth.”  (see here)

Again, the website makes it clear, “The Temple practices magic using rituals of ancient Egypt which are taught in our gatherings on Sunday afternoons. These have amazing properties of manifestation . . . (w)e worship nature, and observe all the gifts bestowed on the planet.” (see here) 

You can’t make this stuff up!

Also speaking at the conference is Cea T. Hearth, “Priestess and Shamana” (see here)   “What is a Shamana/Shaman” you may ask?  “The word ‘shaman’ is often used to refer to a person in a particular community who is chosen by the spirit world to be a spiritual healer (a soul doctor) for the group and its members. . . The shaman is one who is able to communicate with the spirits, enter trance at will and inspire ecstatic healing in others. These abilities come from the spirit world, but they are honed by the shamanic initiate through practice.” (see here)

Not to be left out is “Isis Priestess Katie Ketchum” who is also conducting a conference workshop. (see here)

God tells us in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”  Yet this ELCA church brings followers of other gods in to speak and teach at their conference! 

The ELCA churchwide has known about the anti-Christian happenings at “herchurch” for years, yet they allow the church to remain in the ELCA.

Not only do they know about the practices of this congregation, but would you believe that, a key note speaker of the conference comes straight from the Office of the Presiding Bishop, Director of Justice for Women for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mary Streufert.  (see here)

If that isn't a big stamp of approval, I do not know what is.

See more information about this ELCA sanctioned church.  (here and here)
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Please take a few minutes to read this survey conducted by The Barna Group, in 2009, on what Christians believe. (read here)

Many Christian denominations in America are failing to teach the truth of scripture.  The study says almost 60% of “Christians” do not believe Satan is a real being?  Almost 40% think that Jesus sinned while on Earth? 

How does this happen?  The Bible is clear on Jesus being sinless and Satan being real, yet a lot of Christians think otherwise.  This happens when denominations and pastors are not teaching Scripture correctly.

Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr. said, "We have the Bible and all of the Bible. We are accountable to it all, and it is all true, trustworthy, authoritative, sufficient, and, with the aid of the Holy Spirit, clear in its message."  Churches in America, including the ELCA, need to be teaching and preaching the truth of Scripture.  It is God's Word.

Sadly, this isn’t happening.  The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s worldly teaching of Scripture, in their seminaries, leads their future pastors (many of them) to reject much of what the Bible says.  This has been happening gradually for over 20 years. Subsequently, the pastors, who are now serving congregations, will rarely uphold the truth of Scripture in the sermons they give. (But they sure know how to deliver some enlightening social justice and self-help sermons.) Through these tactics, the devil has silenced God’s Word and replaced it with damnable heresy.  
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Time to check out another video from the ELCA church that calls itself “Herchurch.”  Be prepared to witness the breaking of the 1st Commandment, among other things. (the video is at the end of this blog)

At the beginning of the video you will hear this -

Congregation: Beloved Mother of wisdom, you are black and beautiful.
ELCA Pastor Stacy Boorn:  She is Queen and virgin, women onto herself.  She is in violets, she is rising up.  She is Mother, Mother of all, Mother of all that is.
Congregation: Beloved Mother of wisdom, you are black and beautiful.

At the 1:48 minute mark you will read that “Herchurch emphasizes dance, music and art as a form of worship to the Divine Feminine.”

At the 2:48 mark you will see a painting of a topless pregnant women.

Also starting at the 2:48 mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Pastor Stacy Boorn says, “Today we gather to be in the presence of that which is holy and good.  Today we gather also to honor the black Madonnas who throughout history have been a reminder that our first Mother, the Mother of us all, our African Mother, our Mother Earth cries out from the stumps that are too often the remnant of a cut down life of (???).

If you have never heard of this heretical ELCA church before, please check out these links. (see here and here) 
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The ELCA has placed their opinion over God’s Word.  The denomination's actions and teachings show us that they place their own authority over God’s authority.  They have made themselves god and that is idolatry.  Not surprisingly this isn’t the only form of idolatry happening in the ELCA. 

ELCA church Ebenezer Lutheran, otherwise knows as herchurch, in San Francisco posted highlights from their Christ Sophia Mass in 2009 on youtube.


Pastor Stacy Boorn opens the service this way, “Welcome to the Christ Sophia mass, the incarnation of she who is all wisdom. . .”

At the 2:33 minute mark of the video you can view the singing of Silent Night, but notice the changing of the words, they sing “Christ Sophia is born, Christ Sophia is born.”

At the 2:46 mark you can see the congregation sing and dance to a song called “Grandmother Song.”  The lyrics are, “Oh, Grandmother, I see you sitting in the East. I pray to you. I pray to you. You are sacred And you are looking at me.”  This is repeated with only minor variations of the words. 

At the 4:30 mark you can watch children sing to Christ Sophia, (to the tune of Angels From the Realm Of Glory)  “. . . come (each?) worship, come (each?) worship, Christ Sophia sets us free.” 

During Holy Communion, at the 8:26 mark you can see Pastor Stacy Boorn mouth what looks to be, “Body of Christ Sophia for you.”

This is not Jesus Christ they are worshiping.  It is a different god. 

The ELCA knows full well what is happening at this church.  They approve it and welcome it.  (see here) 

Is God being honored in this?

Add another piece of evidence exposing the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
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The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America wants to change the rules.  They want to make it much harder for orthodox, traditional, Scripture-believing ELCA churches to leave the denomination. 

Read all about it on the front page of Lutheran CORE's newsletter (here).  The proposal will be voted on in August 2011 at the next ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

How are these proposed amendments acceptable?  Is this an example of Christian love?  Did God give the ELCA leadership a 'new revelation' to 'do whatever possible' to take away congregations' free will?  The ELCA gives lip-service to respecting our "bound conscience," but in reality their intentions and motivations are only self-serving.  Sadly, the ELCA is trying to force you to partake in their heresy, false teachings and false gospel. 

My advice - Get out now! 
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Christian traditional orthodox teaching saw a victory this week.  It was a victory for God’s Truth.  This week the ELCA removed a section of their website that preached heresy.  The website section which boldly proclaimed that "everyone would be saved" (a heretical belief), that questioned the virgin birth, that questioned whether Jesus really rose from the dead and that questioned the truth of God’s account of creation, was removed.  The ELCA changed the main page in that section to state:
 
“The Dig Deeper section of ELCA.org was created to invite fresh explorations of Christian faith for people new or returning to church life. The pages in this section have been removed while they undergo a comprehensive review to improve their usefulness as a resource for study and discussion with others.
If you have suggestions for improvements or new topics in the Dig Deeper section, send them to info@elca.org.”  (read here)

Why did the ELCA take this action?  Maybe ELCA leadership has responded to God’s call to them to come back to His Truth.  I truly hope so.  If that is the case, I call on Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson to make a public statement renouncing the heretical teachings and beliefs on those pages.  Then the ELCA needs to take actions to eliminate those non-orthodox beliefs from the denomination.  It is not enough to simply remove a few heretical statements on their webpage. 

The more likely interpretation of the pages’ removal, in my opinion, is that the ELCA leadership buckled to pressure because of the uproar over these website statements from concerned members and went into hiding, at least on the surface (on their website).  The ELCA is trying to stop the bleeding of orthodox Lutherans leaving the denomination.  They are okay with laying low and not making the widely publicized anti-Biblical statements and beliefs in the hope that membership may stay. 

The truth is, unless God has intervened, ELCA leadership and many ELCA pastors will continue speaking these heresies.  They will still be teaching them in the seminaries and colleges.  They will still be proposing and voting on Bible-denying policies.  Likewise, they will keep those non-Christian policies they have already enacted.  They will continue to preach the social gospel over the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  They will still refrain from evangelizing to the “lost.”

This was a victory.  I am thrilled that orthodox Christians spoke up!  And now it is a little harder for the ELCA to mislead seekers and followers of Jesus who are reading the ELCA website.

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