(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) My alma mater, Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, used to be known as the most conservative of the seminaries of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. No longer. Luther has just announced they have hired as a professor Cody J. Sanders, author of “Queer Lessons for Churches on the Straight and Narrow: What All Christians Can Learn from LGBTQ Lives”. In his Facebook page, Sanders describes himself as a “queer theologian” (photo below). The ELCA’s United Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania also has as its president a man who is “married“ to a man, who was previously the ELCA’s first practicing gay bishop. There is no question as to what Martin Luther would think about all this. Luther called homosexuality a “monstrous depravity” and a “terrible pollution”. I personally have struggled with same-sex attraction most of my life (see my article “My struggle with same-sex attraction” at pastorsstudy.org), but I abstain from this behavior for the sake of Christ and my eternal soul (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Today, the ELCA embraces and promotes homosexuality, transgenderism and bisexuality. The ELCA even promoted transgenderism to 31,000 teenagers at the ELCA’s national Teen Gathering a few years ago by putting an 11-year-old boy who thinks he is a girl on stage. If you are still a member of the ELCA, time to flee this unbiblical denomination. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock
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(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
Below is a worship service dedicated to “Reconciling in Christ Sunday”, a day when some congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America celebrate all things LGBT. At minute 31 below you will hear an LGBT Lutheran pastor affirm all kinds of “gender identities” without a hint that the Bible teaches – and Christians have believed for 2000 years—that homosexual behavior is a sin. And the choir sings a hymn about “our queer siblings moving all about the earth”. I’ll say it again, this ain’t my grandma’s Lutheran Church. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock PS. If you would like to see the various verses in the Bible which address homosexuality, see my article “What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?” at pastorsstudy.org https://www.youtube.com/live/KDheQVhMGQc (It seems the settings were changed to "private" by the ones in charge of this YouTube channel.)
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
In the November, 2021 edition of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton writes an article avoiding calling God “He” and twice using the word “Godself” to avoid saying “God Himself”. But “Godself” is not a word, and has been invented by liberals in the church to avoid talking about God Himself. At its most recent national convention, the ELCA passed a resolution stating it desires to move to more expansive, inclusive images for God. We must never forget the language Jesus gave us for God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19). But at the installation service of the ELCA’s first transgender bishop, Eaton also referred to God as “Parent, Child, and Holy Breath” and as “Rain, Estuary, and Sea”. As the ELCA estranges itself more and more from the Biblical language for God, I believe it will experience more and more of God’s judgment. Indeed, it already has, as huge numbers have left the ELCA for more biblical denominations. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (See article here on page 50) ELCA‘s United Lutheran Seminary to host “out and proud" transgender advocate: “She is a father…”2/13/2023 (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
In a previous post I shared that a practicing homosexual, who was also the first gay bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is now president of the ELCA’s United Seminary in Pennsylvania. United Seminary is advertising that it will host a transgender advocate to speak at its “Transgender and Lutheran” webinar. This man who presents himself as a woman (an “out and proud trans woman”) is called “she” by United Seminary: “Dr. Stephanie Dykes is the father of a 29-year-old son, and she sings bass with the Seattle Men’s Chorus”. I am not making this up. Tap on the below link to see United Seminary’s ad and how bizarre the ELCA has become. I encourage you that if you are still a member of this denomination, it is time to take your money, time, and talents and join a biblical denomination which you can support. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock https://assets.website-files.com/5ef7c7ab36fe0248900a03d2/62f50677fe7a4ec07836a1ec_Trangender%20and%20Lutheran%20Promo%20piece.pdf?fbclid=IwAR3X5MBeYHV9Pe9YE2cxrIULCMgJ9ktFSkfpxjO3ns7zcKM-Zlk2_7DpACw
You may be wondering what "Extravaganza" is. The ELCA Youth Ministry Network website tells us it is "...the annual gathering of children, youth and family ministry leaders from across the ELCA." (see here)
So it is a conference for people in the ELCA who teach youth of all ages. Below are a few of the workshops at last weeks Extravaganza 2023: (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Below is a picture from the current issue of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pictured is Guy Erwin leading a worship service at the National Assembly. Erwin is the ELCA’s first homosexual bishop with a “husband“ and he is now the president of an ELCA seminary. The article mentions that the Native American practice of smudging occurred during the assembly, along with the Native American “Prayer to the Four Directions of the Earth.” Smudging is a Native American practice of burning sage in order to get rid of evil spirits and energy. In a previous post here was my comment on incorporating pagan practices into a Christian worship service: “Years ago when I was still a pastor in the ELCA, I went to one of our conventions where we turned to the north, south, east, and west in order to pattern our prayers after Native American spirituality. I got to the microphone and said "I am German, my ancestors worshiped Thor and Odin. Are we going to incorporate Thor worship at our next convention?" When I returned home, I told that story to my congregation and a Native American woman with tears in her eyes said "They're trying to take us back to what Jesus saved me from." This is called syncretism, when people mix various gods and religions together. It is what got the ancient Jews in trouble when they tried to mix Baal worship with the worship of Jehovah.” It is interesting that the ELCA’s national magazine put all of this on display for everyone to read. I hope many ELCA Lutherans will become upset over what happened, but I’m afraid the “frog in the kettle“ syndrome has dulled the senses of many in the ELCA. But I must say to the ELCA: No, ELCA, smudging and sage do not drive out evil spirits, but only the power of the Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) If you have the stomach for it, go to minute 30 in the below video and watch this pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America say that we should not necessarily assume Jesus was straight. Then the pastor uses the rest of his sermon to explain that Christians have misinterpreted the Bible for 2000 years and the verses which clearly forbid homosexuality, well, they really don't. I have acquaintances who go to this congregation and I am grieved they are there. Central Lutheran Church of Elk River, Minnesota, left the ELCA years ago and joined a more biblical branch of Lutheranism, but there were liberals who wanted to stay in the ELCA and they formed the below church. The whole worship service below is dedicated to "Reconciling in Christ Sunday', a day in which many ELCA Lutherans celebrate the LGBT movement. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock PS As a rebuttal to this sermon, see my article "What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?" at pastorsstudy.org (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Pope Benedict passed away recently and the head bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Elizabeth Eaton, has written the below letter of condolence.
I got to thinking. Pope Benedict believed abortion is a sin. Bishop Eaton works for abortion rights. Pope Benedict believed homosexual behavior is a sin. Bishop Eaton has produced gay pride videos. Pope Benedict believed in Hell. Bishop Eaton has said that, if Hell exists, she believes it is empty. Martin Luther believed in Hell and in the sinfulness of abortion and homosexuality. It is ironic that we live in a day when a Catholic Pope is more Lutheran than a Lutheran head bishop. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock --- ELCA presiding bishop issues message on death of Pope Benedict XVI Dear church, Yesterday we awoke to the news of the passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. As part of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), we mourn his death and celebrate his life eternal in Christ Jesus. In the LWF statement, which I commend to all of you, General Secretary Anne Burghardt reminds us of Pope Benedict's enduring commitment to the unity of Christ's church and, in particular, "his appreciation of the 'Joint Declaration of the Doctrine of Justification' that has enabled many advances in Lutheran-Roman Catholic relations." His brilliance as a theologian and his ecumenical spirit will continue to challenge us to build bridges of mutual understanding and visible unity through dialogue, cooperation and common witness. We also pray for Pope Francis, who will continue to lead the Roman Catholic Church in this historic time – the likes of which haven't occurred since nearly a century before the Reformation. We extend our condolences and unceasing accompaniment to all our Catholic neighbors, including the bishops, priests, deacons, scholars and laypeople with whom we are in dialogue and partnership. Pope Benedict lived in the surety that "whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's" (Romans 14:8). Now, Lord, you let your servant go in peace: your word has been fulfilled. Amen. In Christ, Elizabeth A. Eaton Presiding Bishop, ELCA (view here) (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) It is popular in liberal religious circles to call God not only “he” but now also “she” and “they“. “She” is a nod to feminism, and I believe “they” is a nod to transgenderism. God is whatever we want him/her/it/they to be. If you watch the below sermon at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, you will notice the guest preacher changes the reading of Luke chapter 18 to call God “her” and “they” (at minute 1:10). But Lutherans have always taught that we are not to change Scripture to suit ourselves. We are to change ourselves to suit Scripture. That is what the authority of the Bible is all about. That is what Martin Luther’s “sola Scriptura” was all about. For years the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago has been one of the most radical of the ELCA seminaries. Now because of failing finances LSTC has had to sell its buildings to the University of Chicago. It reminds me of what Jesus said in Revelation 2:5 “Repent, if you do not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand…” Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
If I had to pick the very worst moment of the year 2022, I might pick one that I did not list below, namely, when head bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America went to the White House to advocate for abortion rights. Or, it might be when she produced yet another gay pride video promoting the LGBTQAI+ agenda.
Below are 12 of the worst moments of the year for ELCA Lutherans: January: ELCA’s first transgender bishop reads storybook she wrote to help children accept transgenderism February: The national church council of the ELCA affirms “gender-non-binary, gender-fluid, women, men and other genders” March: Canadian Lutheran pastor: Jesus did not die for our sins and God the Father needs to step down for sexually assaulting Mary April: “Openly queer” preacher at ELCA’s Luther Seminary embraces his bisexuality, and thus experiences “resurrection” May: Radically liberal Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago is forced to sell off its buildings June: Roe v. Wade is overturned and head ELCA bishop urges Lutherans to advocate for abortion rights July: ELCA’s Living Lutheran magazine says to use LGBT pronouns or people may kill themselves August: ELCA’s national assembly practices Native American smudging and praying to the four winds September: ELCA’s United Theological Seminary hosts “out and proud” transgender advocate, saying “she is a father…” October: ELCA Lutheran lesbian bishop sings “Homosexual is not in the Bible” November: “Brazenly queer” male professor at Pacific Lutheran University says “I will wear skirts and blouses when I preach in chapel” December: More attacks on God the Father from Living Lutheran magazine article: God language needs to be inclusive “of all genders and no gender” The above heresies abound not just in the ELCA, but also in the United Church of Christ, the Episcopal Church in America, the Presbyterian Church USA, the United Methodists, the Disciples of Christ, and the Reformed Church in America. In spite of all this darkness, this week let us praise God that He sent His Son into the world to save us from the craziness and destructiveness of sin. Jesus is the only light of the world and He offers forgiveness of sins and eternity in heaven for all who will put their trust in him. May you have a wonderful Christmas celebrating our new-born King, Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Merry Christmas! Pastor Tom Brock PS. For more details on all the above items, page through my articles on this Facebook page
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(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
In the video below, the bishop of the Lower Susquehanna Pennsylvania Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America makes a plea that Lutherans should become allies of the transgender movement. Lately the ELCA teaching seems to be that men who identify as women don’t need to repent, we who believe something is wrong with that do. The ELCA used to be liberal, now it is radically so. If you are still a member, it is way past time to leave for a more biblical denomination. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
On April 30, 1987, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America was born. Looking back on its 35 year history, head bishop Elizabeth Eaton stated "It's not our intent to water down or minimize the gospel word, but to share the good news to make it rooted in tradition and radically relevant." The ELCA is certainly radical, but has it not watered down the gospel? Eaton told a Chicago newspaper Hell "may exist, but I think it's empty". The ELCA passed a resolution stating that "we do not know" what God thinks of non-Christian religions. The ELCA has the world's first transgender bishop. The ELCA pays for abortion for any reason with offering dollars in the denomination's healthcare plan. The past two years Eaton has produced gay pride videos celebrating June gay pride month (the ELCA ordains practicing homosexuals). If that isn't "watered down", I don't know what is. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock Woke ELCA Lutheran leaders affirm "gender-nonbinary, gender-fluid, women, men or other genders"12/13/2022
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the highest leadership board of the liberal denomination, at it's most recent meeting passed a resolution stating "...the percentage of laypeople not allocated to women or men may be allocated to persons who identify as gender non-binary, gender-fluid, women, men or other genders." "Other genders"? Jesus said "He who made them at the beginning made them male and female" (Matthew 19:4). There are no "other genders", Jesus said there are two. It is tragic that the ELCA continues to side with our confused culture rather than with Christ. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
Dr. Peter Carlson teaches at California Lutheran University, which is affiliated with the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Professor Carlson‘s pronouns are They/Them He/Him and Carlson has a man as his “spouse”. Carlson teaches Gender and Religion and Queer Theology and CLU’s Facebook page quotes Carlson “I am going to be so brazenly queer that people will be forced to deal with queerness…. I will wear skirts and blouses when I preach in chapel. I will talk about my queer home life as much as other faculty talk about their straight home life. I will include gender and sexuality in every course I teach."
Below is a picture of Carlson wearing a skirt and heels on his way to preach at chapel. As he says, “Preachin’ in chapel gettin QUEER AF TODAY”. If you want your child to receive a Christian education, the ELCA’s California Lutheran University is about the last place you want to send them. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock |
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Thessalonians 5:21 Dan Skogen
Former ELCA seminary student and former ELCA member who is fed up with the ELCA's consistent mockery of God's Word. If you have been helped and blessed by Exposing the ELCA's ministry, please help us continue to proclaim the truth of God's Word to ELCA members who need to hear it.
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Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. - Ephesians 5:11
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