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The ELCA official website has a webpage entitled, “What is the proper use of language in worship?” (see here)
Here are some of the ELCA’s directives, in that article, related to Jesus: - “Although the use of male pronouns is appropriate when referring to Jesus, care should be taken to find other ways to speak of Jesus that emphasize humanness rather than maleness.” - “. . . using nonmasculine imagery should be used along with masculine forms for balance.” Speaking about inclusive language in music, the ELCA’s article says that if you don’t like what some songs say, “ . . . new verses reflecting current language sensitivity can be added to old hymns. In some cases, particularly problematic verses can be omitted. In other instances, the traditional weight of certain hymns may necessitate their being kept intact and balanced by other hymns that are more inclusive in language.” For contemporary songs, “(m)usic that is not. . . sensitive to the use of inclusive language should be avoided.” Later on in the article the ELCA states, “(t)he metaphorical use of the term ‘father’ continues to be used in worship, alongside many other biblical metaphors for God. However, because sin can distort even the fundamental relationships of parents to children, the image of a father may be difficult to comprehend for some who have experienced alienation in their relationship to a human father.” This last statement is trying to change a person’s perspective so they lessen the use or discontinue addressing God as, “Father” at the risk of offending those with broken earthly relationships; when, in fact, we ought to be lifting up how God is indeed our perfect heavenly Father, a wonderful truth specifically for those who have had less than positive relationships with their earthly fathers. This is another example of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America deciding they know better than Scripture. - Jesus Himself tells us, “This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven . . .’” (Matthew 6:9) - Jesus tells his disciples that God is their “Father.” “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” (Matthew 6:6-8) - Jesus calls God “Father.” "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) But because someone in the world might not like calling God “Father,” the ELCA wants us to consider not using that term. This is another assault on God that comes straight from the pit of hell. (See more evidence of what the ELCA is doing with gender neutral language, inclusive language and changing the names of God.)
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Glory to God in the highest! Wishing you a Merry Christmas. First, a little background, as many of you know, one year ago, God led me to begin the ministry Exposing the ELCA. I feel God was directing me, and He lifted up Exposing the ELCA to minister to and inform the members of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) regarding what our denomination is teaching, doing and believing.
This is just the beginning of this ministry. I write this today because I want to invite you to sign up for the Exposing the ELCA ministry e-newsletter. The newsletter will likely be sent out quarterly and will be specifically designed for supporters of Exposing the ELCA and those interested in knowing what God is doing through this ministry. The newsletter will contain new and expanded information, including material that has not been on the website, such as - what God is doing through this ministry - prayer requests - the latest insider news - needs of the ministry - praise reports - readers’ feedback - and more If you want to receive the newsletter, just enter your email on the form on the right side of this page. The first newsletter should come out in about a week. You are welcome to pass this information on to those that may be interested in getting the e-newsletter. Hope you all are having a great week leading up to Christmas. In Christ’s Love, Dan Skogen ELCA affiliated Augustana College in Rock Island, IL, is hosting a lecture on Jan. 13, 2011, by Dr. Peter Ochs. Dr. Ochs is a “(p)rofessor of modern Judaic studies at the University of Virginia and founder of a revolutionary approach to reading scripture . . .” (read here)
Dr. Ochs will lecture about “scriptural reasoning” and will have a demonstration of how it is done. “Scriptural reasoning is a way of studying scripture with people from different faith traditions.” This includes studying the Qur’an with Muslims. The press release put out by Augustana College says, “Ochs' lecture will show students and community members the importance of scriptural reasoning for peace and understanding between traditions. ‘Divine voice(s) are not heard deeply without learning and effort — and, we add, without listening to those who hear in ways that are slightly different,’ he said.” (read here) You may want to read the above quote again. Augustana is bring Dr. Ochs in to their college to “show students and community members” this method where “Divine voices” are heard in other faiths. This is another example of an ELCA-related entity that is introducing false doctrine. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are the one true God. They are not the god of the Muslims or any other religion. (read more about this here) Support Exposing the ELCA by shopping on Amazon.com using this link ... http://amzn.to/g5vlNe
Thank you! I receive a number of emails every week from Evangelical Lutheran Church in America members who are concerned about the direction of our denomination. Some have questions and are wondering what they should do. Some people need advice as their churches investigate the ELCA or consider leaving the ELCA. For those members who are in similar circumstances, I recommend that you check out WordAlone Ministries. This ministry has been helping people and churches for years; assisting those who have been facing these same issues. Here is a link to WordAlone’s “Leaving the ELCA” series on their website. (see here)
The WordAlone site offers lots of information and useful materials regarding 1) how to approach the issue of leaving the ELCA based on where your congregation is at the moment, 2) the process for leaving the ELCA, 3) study resources helpful for churches interested in leaving the ELCA, 4) frequently asked questions about leaving the ELCA, as well as 5) stories from churches that have left. They also have a Chaplain Corps available for people who want to speak to a knowledgeable pastor, someone willing to answer your questions and provide personalized support and direction. (read more about it here) Exposing the ELCA readers were asked “Which is more important to you,” scripture or unity?
Here are the results: “Scripture” received 95.85% of the votes (208 votes) “Unity” received 4.15% (9 votes) The total votes were: 217 An Exposing the ELCA reader, John Vincent, recently sent me some documents that I’d like to share with you. The first document has two pro-life resolutions which he submitted to the Nebraska Synod of the ELCA. (read here) The next one has the Nebraska Synod Resolution Committee’s rulings on his resolutions. (see pages 48-51, committee's response to resolutions 5 and 6)
The third document is entitled “What I Learned About the ELCA and Abortion from the Nebraska Synod.” (read here) Here Mr. Vincent analyzes and presents his findings on what he has learned regarding the ELCA’s stance on abortion. I recommend you take a few minutes to read the documents, especially Mr. Vincent’s findings, as they provide a clear picture of the ELCA’s true positions on abortion and the life of an unborn child. The Standard-Examiner newspaper, in Ogden, Utah, reported on a gathering at Elim Evangelical Lutheran Church with Bishop Allan Bjornberg of the Rocky Mountain ELCA Synod.
Exposing the ELCA found a couple of statements in the article noteworthy. The Standard-Examiner reports 1) The bishop “. . . said the synod supports 240 full-time missionaries, which is half the number of two generations ago. However, Bjornberg said a lower number is not a bad thing. ‘We did the job well,’ he said, noting that more missionaries are not needed.” 2) The bishop “. . . said fellowshipping continues to be at the heart of the church.” (read here) Bishop Rjornberg is the chair of the ELCA Conference of Bishops. For someone with such a high standing in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to believe that the ELCA doesn’t need any more missionaries because the denomination has done such a good job, is incredibly telling. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 There are 6.8 billion people in the world today and 2.1 billion claim to be Christian. That means 4.7 billion people do not know Christ and are at risk of eternity in hell. Yet despite this, Bishop Rjornberg thinks the ELCA has been so effective in whatever it is that the ELCA tells the missionaries to do, that the denomination doesn’t need to send out any more missionaries. I suppose when the teaching of universalism is the prevailing view of the ELCA, 240 missionaries are more than enough. “Fellowshipping” can be a central purpose of the denomination then. Sounds fun. I doubt Jesus and the 4,700,000,000 people who are “lost” will agree. Exposing the ELCA has added a new page to the website detailing Gospel Reductionism and Antinomianism in the ELCA. (see here)
Gospel Reductionism and Antinomianism are troubling views and are growing more prominent within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Gospel Reductionism is "the tendency to reduce the Bible to the gospel. Gospel reductionism tends to allow the Bible authority only in matters which are explicitly part of the gospel or may be developed from the gospel. Exponents of gospel reductionism believe that considerable freedom should be allowed within the church in matters which are not an explicit part of the gospel. In this way, the rest of the Bible is relativised; it does not have the same authority. Instead of the gospel and scripture, the tendency is for only the gospel to become the standard (the norm) of Christian teaching." (read here) Antinomianism is defined as "(t)he doctrine or belief that the Gospel frees Christians from required obedience to any law, whether scriptural, civil, or moral, and that salvation is attained solely through faith and the gift of divine grace." (read here) Jesus says in John 3:3, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” A few verses later, Jesus says, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”
From these statements, salvation is predicated on being born again or born through God’s Spirit. Unfortunately I rarely hear, in the ELCA, about the need to be born again. Jesus tells us we need to be born again, yet it is seldom addressed. Being “born again” is a traditional Lutheran understanding. The Solid Declaration of the Formula of Concord, VI, which was written in 1577 talks of being “born anew.” So it seems strange to me that the ELCA goes out of it’s way to not talk about being “born again.” |
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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