Alfred Hoerig is the pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, a new ELCA mission congregation in Texas.
In the ELCA magazine, The Lutheran, we read this from an interview Pastor Hoerig had with the magazine, “Grace could emerge as a model of the ELCA church of the future, with its diversity and openness to letting people make up their own minds about their beliefs, he added.”
“(L)etting people make up their own minds about their beliefs” sounds like something a Unitarian Universalist would say, and here we have this ELCA magazine publishing this disturbing statement, a statement many members of the denomination will read. Followers of Christ are not made by telling people to “believe anything they want to believe, it doesn’t matter to God.”
Elsewhere in the article Pastor Hoerig is quoted saying, "The [new] congregation is made up of people who've been ostracized or alienated from other congregations, and people who've been burned by overzealous Christians and judgmental people who've said unkind things or insisted that [Grace members] live a certain way in order to be members of the church." (The Lutheran no longer has the entire article available to read on the internet. Here is the beginning of the article.)
This is the typical line and sentiment from the pro-ELCA, edit-the-Bible-to-say-what-I-want-it-to-say crowd. They love to label those who believe homosexuality is a sin, based on Scriptural evidence, as not “welcoming” and “judgmental.” Their definition of "welcoming" is "endorsing the homosexual lifestyle." The truth is Christian churches welcome sinners, they do not (should not) endorse sin. Satan has deceived the ELCA leadership and supporters. True love helps people out of sin and certainly does not encourage them to fully engage it. That is what Satan wants. Sadly, many in the ELCA are working with the devil.
_This is being promoted in the Saint Paul Area Synod newsletter -“. . .Lutherans Concerned/Twin Cities (LC/TC) holds its seventh annual Reconciling in Christ (RIC) festival worship as part of the national celebration of welcoming churches, recognizing faith communities that bear a public witness to God’s love for persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities.”
(see here)
I wonder if the ELCA posts Lutheran CORE gatherings in their publications.
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From this month’s The Lutheran:“Heard a report from ELCA Secretary David Swartling that included the ELCA's current number of congregations (9,995) and baptized membership (4.2 million).” (see here)
The total given for baptized membership is, in all likelihood, high because many churches do not update their membership rolls very often.------
For those wondering how much money the ELCA spent on the sexuality studies, a statement from 2002 says the ELCA “approved $1.15 million to fund the six-year project.” (see here)
From what I have read, it seems that the $1.15 million does not include the salary for ELCA staff who worked on the project.
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The ELCA official website claims this about their “Peace Not Walls” blog:“The Peace Not Walls blog is meant to show the breadth of views and opinions surrounding the situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” (see here)
That's Hogwash! I have not seen a blog from this website that represents the prevailing Israeli viewpoint. What this blog does do is promote the ELCA leadership’s anti-Israel world view. Just look at the above statement calling the land “occupied.” It is an anti-Israeli narrative and very bias. Do not be fooled by the ELCA claims.
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.
An Exposing the ELCA reader sent me this news item. In 2006, The Lutheran, a publication of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, wrote a “favorable” review of the movie “Brokeback Mountain,” an R-rated movie about two homosexual cowboys.
The full review is only available to subscribers of The Lutheran, but its editor, Daniel J Lehmann talks about it here. The magazine does allow non-subscribers to read the first two paragraphs of the article and it is here we read “(w)e encourage you to see the fine movies described here.” (see here)
There were a number of Lutherans who did not appreciate The Lutheran recommending this movie. One person wrote saying, “I was disappointed with some of the movie choices recommended in the March issue of The Lutheran. . .In my opinion sexually explicit movies, whether heterosexual or homosexual, aren’t the type of movies we need to recommend to others.” Another wrote, “I’m appalled that you included Brokeback Mountain in your review of movies. This movie is just another way of desensitizing the public to homosexuality . . . I hope a church magazine would promote wholesome family movies.” (read here)
Shellfish, a ELCA-focused blog said this, “Let's see, high praise for a movie that praises adultery and the break-up of two families while two ‘I'm not queer, no me either’ guys ‘find themselves.’ Makes perfect sense for a church magazine, that is, if you are a denomination that has seriously lost everything that is holy . . . ” (read here)
How sad that a supposed Christian denominational magazine encourages young and old alike to go to R-rated movies which glorify homosexuality. Note that this review article was written in 2006, before the ELCA overruled God and “unsinned” homosexual relations in 2009.
If you haven’t seen this, Bishop Hanson released a statement saying that he "appreciated" President Obama's controversial Israel - Palestinian speech. Read this blog for more.
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If you have information, articles or blogs you would like Exposing the ELCA to consider posting, you can send them by using our new “Submit Information” page. (see here)
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Did you know that the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (ELCA) has a Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice (CCME)? The Center’s mission statement is “A Center of Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice (CCME) at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) fosters and deepens relations between Christians and Muslims as a significant part of its larger purpose of building bridges of mutual understanding, respect and cooperation among people of all faiths.” (see here)
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The April issue of The Lutheran magazine (ELCA) recommends utilizing the teachings of noted pastor, Rob Bell. (see here)
Bell was recently featured in Time Magazine regarding his highly controversial new book, Love Wins, promoting the idea of universalism, that everyone will go to heaven. (see here)
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Below is a television report on St. James Lutheran Church in Greenfield, IN, which recently voted to leave the ELCA and join the NALC. Also included is a link to a radio interview with St. James’ pastor, Larry Gember.
Fox Network News in Indianapolis (watch here)
Radio WIBC in Indianapolis (listen here)
“Let's finally get out of the Old Testament and turn to what our Lord said and did,” says Klaus G.W. Molzahn, a retired ELCA pastor who lives in Hanover, PA. Pastor Molzahn authored an article entitled, “Let the Love of Christ Prevail” which was printed in the April 2011 issue of The Lutheran, (the magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) Read here
This is just another example of the ELCA’s actual view of scripture.
John Brooks, spokesman for the Chicago-based ELCA, recently spoke with the NewsOK, an Oklahoma Newspaper. The newspaper said that Mr. Brooks “estimates about 25 gay and lesbian individuals have been ordained since the policy change.” (read here) That doesn’t include the unknown number of gay and lesbian ELCA clergy who were ordained before the 2009 decision under the rules that homosexuals could not engage in sexual activity.
However, the really disturbing result of the ELCA’s action has been the multitudes of ELCA members whom the leadership has deceived and gotten to condone something that God, for our own good, told us not to do.
Also disturbing is that the ELCA is preaching this damaging lifestyle to our children. The Lutheran, which calls itself, “The magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America,” has a story in the April 2011 edition called, “ELCA Camp Experiences Support Gay Youth.” (see here) (Exposing the ELCA reported on these camps last year - see here and here)
The article promotes the ELCA’s gay youth camps and ministries. You can be assured that the ELCA is not telling the youth what the Bible says about homosexuality, even though that is the loving thing to do. Also, the youth should be told that, with God's help, many people have left the homosexual lifestyle. (see Exodus International)
Jesus says, “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck.” Mark 9:42
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