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The leadership and seminaries of the ELCA are teaching and believing heresy. I wish all ELCA members would come to knowledge that their/our denomination believes in Universal Salvation. Below is an interesting blog on the topic. (There is more to come on this topic also, as I am researching and putting together a blog on it, which should be ready in a week or two.)
Pastor Harrison's Convention Report
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Professors teaching Christianity, the Bible and Religion Studies are supporting an far-left liberal organization in their efforts to keep "the curriculum titled 'The Bible in History and Literature'” from being used in public school classrooms. Here is the link to the long list of "Christian" teachers. Of course there are a couple ELCA school professors representing.
The Texas Freedom Network is the organization behind this initiative. They pride themselves on fighting to keep evolution as the only taught theory in public schools, promoting sex education while mocking abstinence, and are against school vouchers, among other things. The information below is some of the organizations self described "success stories."
". . . An ELCA pastor informed the churchwide assembly in a discussion of the ELCA’s HIV and AIDS strategy that his congregation hands out condoms 'to anyone who asks for them, young or old.' He had emailed his bishop and asked if he could pass out condoms, and the bishop responded, 'Jesus would be passing out condoms.'
Churches that pass out condoms are all but saying to their members, 'When you have sex outside marriage, make sure you use a condom.' Do ELCA leaders really hear Jesus saying that he would pass out condoms in a church or anywhere to people who are having sex outside marriage?" (read more of the article) Below are some thoughts from a man named Andrew. He wrote them in the comments section under this article.
". . . As a homosexual member of the LCMS. . . (t)he last thing I need is a pastor telling me it’s ok to act on my temptations or, God forbid, a pastor who flaunts a gay relationship. It is hard, lonely and frustrating enough to overcome this temptation and I certainly don’t need a pastor to be throwing gasoline on the fire for me. No, what I need is to be able to stand before God every Sunday and confess 'I am by nature sinful and unclean.' I need to know that I stand among others who, even if they might reject me for the temptation I face, are, at least that moment, connected to me through our mutual struggle with our own sinful natures. With the sinners and lepers of the past, I need to be able to say 'Lord have mercy upon me.' And with the angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, I need to look forward to a future glory and fellowship when I will no longer face this struggle. I need a pastor who will point me back to the Word of God instead of his own limited reasoning and feed me on the Means of Grace instead of poisoning me with permission to sin. . . (M)ay God preserve us from such shepherds. . . who not only allow the lost sheep to wander but hasten their departure from the flock. Perhaps (they) should recall Christ’s words in Matthew 18:6 'But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.'” View the document.
The first part of the document is the church's Confession of Faith. And later is the reasoning behind leaving the ELCA. Check out this "little jingle."
(sung to the tune of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank, from the musical Mary Poppins) If you donate your tuppence Wisely to the church Safe and sound Soon that tuppence Safe within the ELCA Will compound And you’ll achieve a sense of justice As your piety expands When Higgens Road and its directors Give in – to special int’rest groups’ demands You see, members, you’ll be part of Dissing the church in Africa (They’re homophobes, you know!) Two millenia of Christendom’s Theology must to go! Millions given for bogus studies Toward a pre-determined goal! …Ordination for non-celibate gays! All from tuppence, prudently Fruitfully, frugally donated to the, to be specific, to the publicly accountable, life-long, monogamous, same-gender Luth’ran Church Now, members, When you give tuppence to the ELCA-church Soon you’ll see Leftist causes successfully promoted At church-wide assemblies. And you’ll achieve that sense of stature As your arrogance expands To the high ecclesial strata That our ELCA-church commands You can buy our health insurance That’ll cover abortions! Ageism! Feminism! Racism! Sexism! It’s Victomhood that sells! Opportunities! All manner of social activism! Anti-War! Pro-Choice! Global Warming! End of Life! Stewardship to Secularize the Church! You see, members, Tuppence, patiently, cautiously trustingly donated To the, to be specific, To the publicly accountable Life-long, monogamous, Same-gender Luth’ran Church By "Snuggarunt," found in the comments section of this article. Exposing the ELCA asked the question, "Which denomination do you most identify with?"
The results were: The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod or Wisconsin Synod received 36% (121 votes) Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ (LCMC) received 26% (87 votes) ELCA received 22% (76 votes) North American Lutheran Church (NALC)/Lutheran CORE received 10% (34 votes) Non-Lutheran received 6% (21 votes) There was a total of votes: 339. Thank you to all that voted! A study was conducted in 2009 by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America called "Lutherans Say. . . No. 6." This study asked ELCA congregational leaders their thoughts on certain topics. Here is one of the findings.
46% of the ELCA congregational leaders Agreed with this statement, "It is possible for a faithful follower of any religion, including Islam, Hinduism, or Buddhism, to find the truth about God through that religion." 30% disagreed and 22% were "not sure." This is revealing and shows the sad truth about the direction our denomination is going. The Bible does not teach that people devoted to other religions will go to heaven. But 46% of church leadership believes this. And 22% don't know. This makes me ask, what is their pastor teaching? The belief of universal salvation, that everyone is saved, is running through-out the ELCA. From the top working it's way down to church leadership and members. This should be a wake up call to all people, especially if you are a member of the ELCA. Lutherans Say. . . No. 6 (pdf file) The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania's presiding bishop, Rev. Alex G. Malasusa had some strong words for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He said that they do not support the ELCA's decisions on same-sex relationships and ordination, that the ELCA has strayed from Scriptures and that his church needs to not be reliant on ELCA money "so that they don't use their money and wealth to threaten us. . . we should leave them with their money and stick to the word of God." (Read more)
Presiding bishop Mark Hanson of the ELCA was quick to respond. The two presiding bishops will meet next month and Hanson said, "I will share with Bishop Malasusa the ELCA's strong commitment to the centrality of the Word of God in our faith and witness." (Read more) I think Bishop Hanson is being honest here. But what is he really saying and what is he not saying? In this statement, ". . .ELCA's strong commitment to the centrality of the Word of God in our faith and witness," Hanson is not talking about the Bible. He is talking about Jesus. "Lutherans define the Word of God first as Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh." (ELCA church) While the bishop Malasusa is saying the ELCA is not following scripture, bishop Hanson uses language that makes normal ELCA church members think he is saying that the ELCA has a strong commitment to scripture, when he is not. The ELCA has never had a strong commitment to scripture. They make exceptions, deny, disregard and claim errors and untruths throughout the Bible. They believe they have a "knowledge" that supersedes what God says. It's called Gnosticism. This gnostic knowledge "in question concerns the secret mystery of life that arises from within the self. The God of gnosticism is the experiential God identical with what seems most authentic and real in each individual soul. The God of the Bible is exactly opposite from that and comes from the outside through the Word that he speaks. The God of the Gnostics and the God of the Bible are mortal enemies." (Read more) I pray Rev. Malasusa doesn't fall for bishop Hanson's carefully chosen words. CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT) said in an Easter sermon that the ELCT does not support certain decisions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) nor the Church of Sweden's decision to allow its clergy to conduct same-gender marriages.
The ELCA assembly, held this past August in Minneapolis, approved proposals that would create the possibility for Lutherans in committed, publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships to serve as ELCA clergy and professional lay leaders. It also adopted a social statement on human sexuality which refers to several topics, including same-gender relationships and marriage. The Rev. Alex G. Malasusa, ELCT presiding bishop, commented on "same-sex marriages" in his Easter sermon at the Azania Front Church, Dar es Salaam. Malasusa said the local church did not support the decisions of the ELCA and the Church of Sweden because "it was against God's word," according to The Citizen, a newspaper in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The newspaper reported that Malasusa said, "Lutheran churches in the U.S. and Sweden had strayed from the Scriptures, and it was up to Africa to bring them back into line." "ELCT has refused to recognize the decision to allow same-sex marriages because it is against the Holy Bible. It is in direct contravention of God's word, which has not changed," Malasusa was quoted as saying. "It's time Africa preached to the rest of the world and remind them of God's word because it seems they have forgotten what the Bible says," Malasusa said. The newspaper said that comment brought cheers from worshippers. Malasusa also urged the church in Tanzania and across Africa to strive for financial and economic independence. "We should be independent so that they don't use their money and wealth to threaten us … we should leave them with their money and stick to the word of God," the newspaper reported. In addition member churches of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Africa met March 24-28 in Abuja, Nigeria, in an Africa Pre-assembly and Church Leadership Consultation. The consultation was one of several held throughout the world in advance of this summer's LWF Assembly in Germany. In their final message after the consultation, the LWF churches in Africa commented on the topic of marriage, family and human sexuality. "We strongly affirm our decision taken in Lund in 2007 that 'marriage is holy, ordained by God and is a relationship between a man and woman.' Therefore, the majority of African member churches say "NO" to homosexual acts and regard it to be sinful," the message said. "Further to this affirmation of our position on this matter, we are extremely disturbed and deeply regret the recent developments taking place in some member churches of the communion who have taken unilateral decision on same-sex marriages, disregarding the strong sentiments expressed by other members of the communion. This unilateral action has negatively impacted our life together as a communion, something which could have been avoided," the message said. "We pray for the Spirit of discernment and for the grace of God to abound as we seek to resolve these issues," the African churches' message stated. --- Posted news release here. The text of the LWF African churches' message is at http://www.lwf-assembly.org/uploads/media/Africa_Pre-Assembly_Message.pdf on the Web. ---- There are some very encouraging quotes from the presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania. This one, "(W)e should be independent so that they don't use their money and wealth to threaten us … we should leave them with their money and stick to the word of God," is one I have been hoping to hear. Money can be a powerful motivator to comprimise on Biblical truth. It is my hope that other national denominations will put there faith in God's provisions and cast away the ELCA with their opposition to God's Word as well as their "dirty" money. "For most Christians, Lent is a season of penitence and devotion in remembrance of the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion. For Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP), Lent is an organizing tool for rallying U.S. Christians against Israel.
CMEP is releasing a series of Lenten devotionals, culminating with the current Holy Week, that supporters are urged to disseminate to their local churches. Each devotional has an explicit or implicit critique of modern Israel or message of solidarity with Palestinians. . . " Read more. The ELCA is a member of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) - ELCA website Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. Zechariah 13:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:14-15 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. Psalm 69:21 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." Psalm 22:7-8 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Psalm 22:18 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. Psalm 109:3-4 "In that day," declares the Sovereign LORD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. Amos 8:9 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Psalm 22:1 Into your hands I commit my spirit. Psalm 31:5 He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34:20 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Psalm 16:10 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Hosea 6:2 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Psalm 22:24 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him. Psalm 22:27 From The Jewish Jesus: Suffering Servant Christopher Hitchens, a noted atheist offers this gem to a Unitarian pastor. The Unitarians are just a half-step ahead of the ELCA when it comes to liberal theology.
Renowned Atheist Offers Good Theology "But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then they all forsook Him and fled. - Mark 14: 49b-50
There are times when, in the darkest moments of your life, the only comfort left for you is a word from God. Jesus faced the cruel injustice of a hostile world, but perhaps His deepest pain came when His closest friends deserted and betrayed Him. What could possibly sustain Him at such a dark moment? Jesus found His comfort in the Scriptures. (Matt. 26:20-25,31). The Scriptures kept everything in perspective for the Savior, holding Him steadfast in the knowledge that everything He was experiencing was according to His Father's plan. Jesus could proceed with confidence because the Scriptures assure Him that the Father was in control. The Word of God will guide you in the same way. There will be times when events around you will confuse you. Those in whom you've placed your trust will fail you. Others will abandon you. You will be misunderstood and criticized. In these times of distress, when your devotion and obedience are put to the greatest test, you must let Scripture guide and comfort you. Never let the faithlessness of others determine what you do. Turn to the Scriptures and allow them to reorient you to God and His activity. Even as a young boy, Jesus was already well acquainted with the Scriptures. He was never surprised by events; He lived with confidence because the Scriptures had prepared Him for everything that He would face. If you will immerse yourself daily in the Word of God, you will not be caught off guard when crises come. Your focus will already be on God, and He will safely guide you through your difficult moments. From "Experiencing God Day by Day" devotional. (p. 91). By Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby. I pray you are bless by this and encouraged to spend time in the Bible, which is God's Word. |
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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