Alex Raabe is a vocal and brash homosexual pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is ultra liberal and uses filthy language with no shame. Please be warned of the vulgarity reported here:
- Pastor Raabe, who recently changed his name on Facebook to Alex Darling-Raabe after "marrying" his "husband," wrote, in what seems to be a supportive post, about a movement called "Cocks and Glocks."
I can not imagine Jesus posting on such a topic. It is not acceptable for a supposed minister of God's word to do so.
Check out this statement Rev. Darling-Raabe writes on Facebook about police. So the lives of police do not matter, Rev. Darling-Raabe? How can this person have any members in his congregation after saying "racist pig police." The following Facebook post shows Rev. Darling-Raabe sharing someone else's post comparing what is happening politically in the U.S. with Germany and then Darling-Raabe comments right afterward, which seems to be referencing people being rounded up and sent to concentration camps.
Later in this thread you can find Pastor Raabe comment "...that the GOP and the GOP nominee are actually exhibiting the same characteristics of 1930's German leadership...." (see here)
ELCA pastor Raabe liked this picture so much he made it his cover photo on Facebook. Here Pastor Darling-Raabe posts about hanging out at a gay bar, dancing and swearing with his church. According to the next post by Alex Darling-Raabe, if one doesn't like the new president of the United States, "fantasizing about burning (Sh!@) down" is on the list of things that are okay to do.
The church Pastor Raabe leads also likes to use foul language on its Facebook page. Here are two examples, one and two.
Augsburg Fortress lists Pastor Raabe as one of their writers in the 2017 publication of Sundays and Seasons. (see here, page 7)
Pastor Alex Raabe is an example of the ever-increasing type of pastor the ELCA is graduating from their seminaries and/or placing in congregations. They put the ELCA stamp of approval on them. All churches remaining in the ELCA should be very wary of what kind of pastor they will next be sent.
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Almost all that is wrong in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America results from their rejection of God’s Word. We see an example of this today in an area that Exposing the ELCA has not highlighted before (but will again in the near future).
Stephanie Vos is an ELCA pastor. She along with Nathan Roberts, who is the Director of Community Engagement at an ELCA church, says he is a pastor (see here) and has a Masters of Divinity from the ELCA’s Luther Seminary (see here), wrote a blog titled “4 Reasons to Have Premarital Sex with Your Evangelical College Sweetheart.” Yes, they try to make a case for having sex before marriage. See the quotes below and notice some of the authors twisted logic regarding Scripture. - “The prohibition against Pre-Marital Sex is a hallmark of Christianity, but it’s been problematic from the start. First of all, it’s not exactly Biblical – Paul warns against ‘sexuality immorality’ but doesn’t give us the down and dirty on what he means by that. It’s also worth noting that Jesus doesn’t mention it. At all.” - “Sexuality is meant to be a healthy, beautiful, nourishing part of our relationships with our closest partners…” - “So…consider a few of our reasons to move Pre-Marital Sex with your college sweetheart from the ‘sexual immorality’ column to ‘healthy Christian sexuality’ (yes, that exists).” - “Whenever we read the writings of the Bible we have to ask if a biblical law or mandate fits into the category of ‘For the First Century’ or ‘For Forever.’” - “We would argue that the ban against Premarital Sex is NOT a forever command.” - “we are banishing the ban on premarital sex to the theological history books.” - “Because waiting to have sex messes with your mind. Love and Sexuality are connected and they have a way of speeding things along.” - “Trust me and millions of others when we say, ‘If you have sex, you may be able to think a little clearer about whether or not you actually want to get married as an unemployed 21 year old two months after you graduate.’” - “Just as sleeping with someone you just met can be unbalanced, so is marrying (and committing to a life-long sexually intimate relationship with) someone you’ve never been intimate with.” - “So go ahead. Have some amazing premarital sex with your Christian College sweetheart.” - “…there are Christian reasons for premarital sex. But ultimately YOU GET TO DECIDE – not your pastor, not your discipleship small group, and not a bunch of theologians peddling a 2000 year old interpretation of the Bible.” (see here) Writing in a different blog titled “When MTV Called Me about Christian Alternatives to Abstinence” Rev. Stephanie Vos says, “I know that I’m not the only one that thinks there are healthy and faithful expressions of Christian sexuality outside of abstinence. I know that I’m not the only one that thinks bodies are incredible and meant to be celebrated and enjoyed. I know that I’m not the only one that thinks diverse sexuality and attraction are important to lift up in the cultural conversation.” (see here) Jesus tells us when and with whom sex is appropriate. In Matthew 19:4-5 He says, "Have you not read," says Jesus, "that He who made them at the beginning 'made them male and female,' and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh?'" But what God says in His Word is of little consequence to the ELCA. To them Scripture is arbitrary. They want to indulge their sinful desires. Is this the kind of denomination to which you want to belong? (Below is an article written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. At the end of Pastor Brock's article I have posted some additional comments and information. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.) Francisco Herrera, a graduate of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's seminary, Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, doesn't like that John 3:36 teaches that those who reject Christ will be lost. So, in an obscenity-laden "Advent devotional", he says this to the Apostle John: "...if the God that we serve would condemn such gorgeous souls to eternal torment, let that God stand accursed — and you with him!" You heard right, this ELCA leader curses John--and God – for teaching that those who reject Christ are lost. I have read many heresies, but this is one of the worst. Please pray for this man's soul. He is one more reason people should leave the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for a more biblical denomination. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock Pastorsstudy.org (Read Francisco Herrera's words here. This was all part of an advent devotional put out by two ELCA pastors, Tuhina Verma Rasche and Jason Chesnut. Note: Language Warning. The advent devotional's title is below). (If there was any doubt how horrific and vile these devotionals are, take a look at the headings of the following days "devotionals.") Here is another example of the Scripturally ignorant, false teaching pastors the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has placed in ELCA congregations. Karen K. Torrez is a pastor in the ELCA. She posted this cartoon on her Facebook page. There is a lot wrong with the cartoon the ELCA pastor posted. Those reading it could deduct false doctrines: - all of the "gods" of other religions are equal to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. - belief in Christ is not necessary. - all religious teachings are the same. - all religions point to the same god. - "love" is what is most important. - Mohammad was about "love." ...To name a few. The ELCA allows pastors who believe this evil garbage to pastor in their denomination. Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him in your house and do not give him a greeting: for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deed. - 2 John 9-11 The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's strong pro-abortion position can be seen in their policies, actions, non-actions and by what their leadership says. I'd like to share with you what ELCA leaders are saying on their social media pages about Planned Parenthood and abortion: ELCA Campus Pastor Casey Kloehn wrote a blog called "Abortion, actually." In it she writes: "I am already tired of fighting against those who have spent my entire life (as well as the decade before my birth) trying to undo the protections that decision provides." "I'm tired of feigning apology for where I stand." "I'm tired of men who have systematically threatened, oppressed, and injured women (for decades, centuries, millennia) through legislation, regulation, and theology." "...women who have had abortions do not need your forgiveness." "I stand with Planned Parenthood." "Women should have safe access to abortion on demand." "Even if Planned Parenthood was first and foremost an abortion provider, I would stand with them. I stand with every woman who is considering, has considered, will consider, is choosing, has chosen, or will choose abortion. Not in spite of my education, not in spite of my Christianity but--straight up--because of those privileges and commitments, I stand with women. I stand with Planned Parenthood." ELCA Pastor Scott Alan Johnson, Story City, IA wrote this in his blog: "I'd like to see picket lines at clinics which provide abortion procedures made illegal, defined as an act of terrorism and as such no longer defensible under the right to free speech as set out in the 1st Amendment." "Let's face it: Roe v. Wade is not going to be reversed. Frankly, it shouldn't be". (see here) Recently Pastor Johnson tweeted his joy at people donating to abortion provider Planned Parenthood in the name of the strong pro-life Vice-President elect Mike Pence. See below. ELCA Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson is the Director for Evangelical Mission at the Northeastern Iowa Synod and she tweeted this last week: ELCA pastor Robert Franek, from Illinois retweeted the following from NARAL Pro-Choice America: Rozella Haydée White is the former Director for Young Adult Ministry for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Days ago she tweeted this: Early this year Pastor Tom Brock wrote a blog titled "An ELCA leader supports Planned Parenthood" (see here) where he writes: "Inez Torres Davis is the Director of Justice for Women of the ELCA (WELCA). On her Facebook page she has a photo that says 'I stand with Planned Parenthood.' These are difficult days to stand with the nation's largest abortion provider, given the grisley facts that came out in the news about what they do with aborted baby parts. But sadly, this ELCA leader stands with them, and the ELCA continues to pay for abortion." The ELCA has long been a supporter of abortion. (see here and scroll down the page here) And as Pastor Brock mentioned, the ELCA even pays for abortion, for any reason, in their employee health care insurance. Today I've shown you vocal pro-abortion, pro-Planned Parenthood ELCA leaders shouting their support for Planned Parenthood. Is there any wonder Pew Research found that 65% of Mainline Lutherans (ELCA) say abortion should be legal in all/most cases. ELCA leaders have a profound influence on your thoughts and beliefs. That is a big danger in sitting under their teaching. (see Pew Research study here)
Many leaders in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America are showing their true colors. For years I've been documenting the anger and dislike they have for conservative, Bible-believing people, including ELCA members. Taking it to a whole new degree, the election of Donald Trump has them unhinged. They are exploding in vile, demonic-like hate. Be aware that there is vulgarity below. Here is some of what I am seeing.
- Lenny Duncan, who is a Vicar at an ELCA Church and Candidate for Ordination to the office of Word and Sacrament in the ELCA, recently wrote a blog that included this picture on the right. In Mr. Duncan's blog he writes, "More than half of America has spoken, and it was what I have come to expect. They have sided with hatred." "If you are a leader in the church, or in a movement of liberation, our fight has just begun. If you are complicit in this travesty, may God have mercy on your soul." (see here) ELCA pastor Rev. Kwame L Pitts wrote this: ELCA Rev. John P Willmann posted: ELCA Pastor Joelle Colville-Hanson, who is the Director for Evangelical Mission at the Northeastern Iowa Synod, has been very angry and vocal about the election. See her comment below and you can see more from her at her twitter account here. ELCA pastor Alex Darling-Raabe had this to say to someone on FB who said they voted for Mr. Trump: In a different thread on an ELCA Clergy page Alex Darling-Raabe writes: Francisco Herrera, a Ph. D student at the ELCA's LSTC and their "Diversity Blog Manager" posts this hate-filled diatribe: Then there is this from ELCA pastor Robert Franek, who if you see what he is tweeting is is a liberal fanatic (over 160 tweets and retweets in a 24 hour period this week):
Next is a comment by Sherianne Molzahn Caldwell. See her bio on the Northwest Washington Synod website here, (page 3): Ian McConnell, a candidate for ordination in the ELCA says:
The most popular pastor in the ELCA says:
Listen to what they are saying...many of the comments rail on people who voted for Donald Trump. I doubt they would be doing the same if Hillary Clinton or socialist Bernie Sanders won the election. Even if you do not like Donald Trump, the behavior of these ELCA leaders is ugly, evil and disgusting. They are poor representatives of Jesus Christ. Clint Schnekloth is an ELCA pastor, author, writer and speaker who is well-known within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He controls at least two ELCA Facebook pages which reach thousands of people, and he wields a great deal of power and influence by dictating who is allowed to post and what kind of comments will be allowed on his ELCA pages. Not only does he have the respect of fellow ELCA leaders and members because of that power, but Pastor Schnekloth's influence reaches much farther. He “...write(s) content for a worship resource published by Augsburg Fortress. It's called Sundays & Seasons...” (see here) Now that you know a little about ELCA pastor Schnekloth, take a look at the vile, non-Biblical and sacrilegious comment he made about Jesus, the Son of God:
Pastor Schnekoth believes Jesus was intersex? What?!?! This is the definition of intersex: "An individual having reproductive organs or external sexual characteristics of both male and female." It is disgusting that a man with this kind of power and influence within the ELCA is telling people that Jesus was intersex, a hermaphrodite. What kind of spirit is at work in someone who thinks like this? The ELCA has turned the Bible into an arbitrary reference guide that has no authority. It tells them about Jesus, but it isn't good for much more than that. Because of their view of God's Word, they can ignore plain teaching, such as "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21) and make things up to fit their twisted worldview. It is demonic. God will not be mocked. Please share the truth of what is going on with your ELCA friends and family. Here are some more Exposed blogs about the teachings, sayings and ways of ELCA Rev. Clint Schnekloth: It has been reported from multiple ELCA pastors (liberal and conservative) that there has been a discussion concerning polyamorous relationships on an ELCA Facebook group. The first person to report about this Facebook discussion did so in the ELCA Clergy, Uncensored FB page (link to this closed group here) and said: This is what the referenced original polyamorous post said: "I'm gonna throw this out there... And no, this isn't an April Fools joke... Do you think there'll be a time when the ELCA supports polyamorous relationships? Not that I have one or will ever have one... Some people do, and honestly, I think it's great. People make it work. I'm just asking because it's a common refrain when talking about same-sex relationships with people who oppose it, that they say we should accept polygamy as well... Which... Again... I'm okay with..." Polyamorous defined as "more than two people in a mutually defined sexual relationship." According to a couple ELCA pastors many in the group have been supportive of polyamorus relationships and some have not. You should ask yourself what kind of Christ following denomination has pastors arguing for two, three, four, five + person marriages and sexual relationships? What kind of denomination graduates and ordains people who so blatantly reject the Word of God believing sinful behavior is good? Pastors are suppose to be beacons of light for Christ. Instead many are a leading people down the highway to hell. Below is a picture of the ELCA group where the discussion took place. Note that it is comprised of 20 to 30 something year old ELCA rostered leaders and seminarians.
ELCA Bishop wants TRansgender Students to Be allowed to use opposite sex showers and bathrooms2/25/2016 The South Dakota state legislature recently passed a bill that “require(s) public-school students to use facilities that match their biological sex, according to the Washington Times.” “…Under the bill, 'every restroom, locker room, and shower room located in a public elementary or secondary school that is designated for student use and is accessible by multiple students at the same time shall be designated for and used only by students of the same biological sex.'" (read here) The governor has yet to sign the bill. ELCA South Dakota synod bishop, David Zellmer, does not like this bill and he took to social media to lobby for its defeat saying, “I have contacted South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard and urged him to veto HB 1008 – legislation that would prevent transgender students in public schools from using restrooms and other facilities consistent with their gender identity.” (see here) The South Dakota Synod, ELCA posted their bishop's message and it received overwhelming approval with 200+ "likes" and over 200 "shares." (see below) What kind of evil and craziness is this, that people actually want to place males in the showers and bathrooms of public school girls? "My people are fools; they do not know me. They are senseless children; they have no understanding. They are skilled in doing evil; they know not how to do good." Jeremiah 4:22 Thank God for Franklin Graham, a watchman on the wall, who said, “This week the South Dakota state legislature passed a bill that requires students in public schools to use the bathroom, shower, and locker room that correspond to their biological sex. Who would’ve thought just a couple of years ago that a law would be needed to enforce something as basic as this? I think it’s a wise step of protection and applaud the state legislature for their boldness. Gay and transgender rights activists are already threatening that this could put the schools at risk of lawsuits. We’re not surprised are we?” (see here) (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.) I wrote an article criticizing Pastor Hiortdahl of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for saying that a homosexual couple will be reunited in heaven. (see here) I Corinthians 6:9-11 and other passages teach that those who live in impenitent sin will not be saved. A private ELCA clergy Facebook page has been taking me to task. One ELCA pastor (a former classmate of mine) writes: "I wonder what Tom…says at the funeral of an obese person (sin of gluttony) or a person who has continued to amass wealth over the years and not shared with others or any other sinner who has persisted in impenitent sin? Lord have mercy!" My response: I don’t think it is a pastor’s place to necessarily put anyone in heaven or hell at a funeral. Funerals are a time to preach the Gospel. But I would say to anyone, whatever their sin, that living in impenitent sin puts their soul in danger. The Bible warns against the “cheap grace” that Bonhoeffer wrote about. “Shall we continue in sin that grace might increase? May it never be!” (Romans 6:1) says the Apostle Paul. And Jesus Himself warned that there will be people on the Last Day who call Him “Lord, Lord” but are lost because they were “workers of lawlessness” (Matthew 7:23). It is wonderfully true that we are saved by grace alone and not by good works. But I heard something at a clergy conference once I will never forget: We are saved by grace alone, but grace never is alone. Grace always changes a human life. Yes, we continue to sin in thought, word and deed, but when we sin we repent, we battle with sin. If there is no fight, no battle, no repentance, the Bible is clear that “the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of God” (I Corinthians 6:9-11). One cannot live in impenitent sin and be saved. And repentance is not a “work” that we do. Repentance itself is a gift of the grace of God (see Acts 11:18, 2 Timothy 2:25-26). I have been open that I personally struggle with same sex attraction (see my story at pastorsstudy.org). Another person on this Facebook page writes: "For the fact that he struggles with same sex attraction, that is particularly uncharitable.Could someone let him know that having gay sex isn’t going to condemn him to hell? Let alone loving a man?" My response: A man having sex with a man is not “loving” him. It is being hurtful to him. The Bible teacher that “gay sex” is a sin (see my article “What does the Bible say about homosexuality?” at pastorsstudy.org). Another person writes: "Screw him and screw his hate-filled blathering. He’ll get his desserts when he is welcomed to heaven by a chorus line of queer folk singing Broadway show tunes." Particularly tragic is that a woman who is the Director of Justice for Women at ELCA headquarters praised those words by responding: "The imagery of your post truly soothes me! Thank you for your prophetic words!" Lastly, I received this tweet about my criticism of the pastor: "(Pastor) Hiortdahl’s gospel-filled ministry beats your crusade of hate anytime. Jesus must weep to hear you call yourself a pastor." So, if you disagree with the homosexual agenda, you “hate”. Actually, the opposite is true. Those who are approving of homosexual behavior are the ones who are hurting homosexuals. Homosexual behavior can take years off of a person’s life, and then there is eternity. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom pastorsstudy.org (see comments from ELCA Clergy Facebook group at the bottom of the page) UPDATE: ELCA pastor says I am an "---hole, picketing funerals" Because I wrote an article criticizing an ELCA pastor for saying a homosexual couple will be reunited in heaven, another Lutheran pastor is claiming that I am like Westboro Baptist and I am "picketing funerals". He also called me an "---hole." (see below) This is the same pastor who wrote that if Jesus wasn't single, he was in a committed relationship with the disciple John--we shouldn't assume Jesus was attracted to women. It is tragic to see a Lutheran pastor malign Jesus, spread falsehood, and use profanity. Please pray for him, his congregation, and the ELCA. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock (Clint Schnekloth is a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) (Below are the comments from the ELCA Clergy Facebook page.)
You can tell a lot about a person by what they say on social media. That is also true of pastors. Let's look at what a number of ELCA pastors are saying. (sorry about the language)
Rev. Scott A. Johnson is an ELCA pastor at St. Petri Lutheran in Story City, IA. Check out this screen shot of his twitter page. Notice the unbecoming words on the Chevy Chase picture that this ELCA pastor chose to post.
The language used on his picture is not funny and the people of St. Petri in Story City, Iowa should be embarrassed and disgusted that their pastor posted such a thing. He should be disciplined. Jesus said "Hear and understand: it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” Matthew 15:10b,11
--- Fritz Wendt is an ELCA pastor living in New York City. He gets political sometimes on Facebook, one time calling republicans "repugnicans." (see here) And Pastor Wendt apparently liked the following enough to share with all his Facebook friends - Posted by Fritz Wendt on Sunday, January 3, 2016
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Next is Eric Clapp. He is an ELCA pastor in Clinton & Camanche, Iowa. On his blog he is pictured holding a sign that says "I'm a Pastor's husband and I'm a Jesus Feminist". (see here) Eric is not a stranger to Exposing the ELCA. We blogged about him previously pointing out the filth that proudly spills from his mouth. (See here) --- ELCA Rev. Jealaine Marple at Elvira Zion Lutheran Church in Clinton, Iowa describes herself on twitter this way: “Wife. Mom. ELCA Pastor. Church nerd. Bearcat (NWMSU). Feminist. Liberal. Tattooed. Foul mouthed. All tweets my own. Grace abounds! Pronouns: She/her” (see here) --- Candice K. Wassell is an ELCA pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in O Fallon, Illinois. She likes to share her social and political opinions on twitter. Here are a couple of them:
by Reverend Nicole A.M. Collins
This article is written for my pastoral peers as well as for continuing support for Lutheran CORE. This has been a phrase I have meditated on for quite some time. From the beginning of my seminary journey to now coming from my initial steps into pastoral ministry. Why would this phrase have such a profound impact on my conscience? What was it that drove its conception in the first place? A couple of years back was the last time I shared on here as an anonymous, frightened seminarian compelled to share what I felt was profoundly in error with the direction and intentions of liberal, intellectually-progressive Lutheran education… In short it became a definitive article on what I saw developing as Lutheran “Unitarianism” that has systemically gone out of its way to polarize & to a lesser extent, persecute people of true faith essentially over the concept of: whom do you serve? Chaplaincy is a noble career, and is truly a significant aspect of the large skill set the post-modern Lutheran church pastor must incorporate to an extent in order to fully serve. The pastor is to be the nurturing guide, the discipleship coach, the catechist instructor, the counselor, the comforter, the steward, the administrator, the gardener, the house cleaner…. Ad infinitum! Things they never taught you in seminary & much more~ Speaking for myself, I have been tremendously blessed with having the experience of assisting to plant two unaffiliated Lutheran churches as well as recently have planted a small house church ministry which will shift to being a continuing online ministry once my husband & I move out west. Being bi-vocational is what is needed these days since the church is changing… BUT returning to the need to compose this article, to whom do you truly serve? Are you a pastor for Christ or are you a chaplain to culture? As a former artist and poet, I love culture! Culture however holds a Pandora’s box of meanings, purpose and agenda. How you perceive and receive culture is the defining context here. Just this past weekend, I was privileged to attend an extended Lutheran CORE sponsored conference on Hispanic ministry. Topics ranged from Radical Hospitality (genuine pastoral care and implementation) to a Cursillo-like retreat to implement teaching discipleship principles through the Apostles Creed & Small Catechism known as Kogudus. There were many other wonderful talks as well at the conference which what all talks had in common was addressing contexts. This address included the cultural context, ethnographic, economic and sociological scope of who you serve as a pastor for Christ, not as a chaplain to culture. Catering from Christ to serve others includes the concept and practice of altruism and accountability grounded in Grace through faith. Catering to the self includes consumerism and political idealism. Both of these concepts cannot truthfully include Christ Jesus as the center and motivation to be guiding principles of discipleship yet alone genuinely reflect a call to accountability to both God and neighbor through TRUE Grace. Cheap Grace or works righteousness under the label of social justice seems to be a convenient label to make their efforts sound much more noble than they actually are. Compassion has been made a political two-way street painted by designer self-oriented cherry-picked hermeneutics of Biblical truth! Showmanship and the ugliness of politicized doctrinal battle have tried to replace and divide the Gospel imperative of Christ, plain and simple. This Gospel imperative is the foundation to our gracious response: “29 Jesus answered, “The first is, ‘Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; 30 you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” In essence, if you operate from a Grace-given, genuinely spiritually-transformed heart: you will be doing ministry in, with and through Christ—It’s NOT about you! & frankly it was never to be about “you.” Again, let this haunt you: To whom do YOU serve? This is the question I wish would haunt those who refuse to come to the table yet alone allow voice to Orthodox Lutherans. What this behavior of exclusion represents for me is graceless behavior. This ironically is what they condemn the Orthodox for is being exclusive… This goes way beyond synod assemblies, politically driven seminaries and forums to be where and when we gracelessly label people as anti-gay, misogynists to Republicans or democrats, etcetera. It’s when we are profoundly and intentionally indifferent to whom we ARE to truly serve! Championing the world of the self and all its needs, wants, decadence is only completing Satan’s goal for the church. Satan’s goal for the church is to serve the unholy trinity of I, Me, Mine—NOT the Holy Trinity of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. If we have to control God and His Spirit through consumerist ideologies and politics, we glorify the empty promises of a world devoid of genuine being and purpose. The ruler of this world would love to see us further divide over BAD theology… It’s a rather sad and humorous fact according to wikipedia that there are something like 440 different Lutheran bodies in the world today. Can’t we all just get along? Becomes a lovely note of sarcasm to a sad truth. Underneath all the layers of it’s about this or that doctrinally, socio-politically, BAD theologies and whatnot… the profound truth we’re avoiding here boils down to that haunting statement: To whom do you serve? Being and becoming a Pastor for Christ is a lifetime’s spiritual formation journey. The first church is the heart—it’s is here we develop heart knowledge that is to be obediently and intentionally—prayerfully shaped by Grace through faith—Holy Spirit’s work. It is one grounded firmly in Biblical Truth incorporating a living “hermeneutic of faith” over a doctrinal, politically motivated agenda of the self over and above God AND neighbor! Maybe being in supportive communities such as Lutheran CORE, (if you’re still in the ELCA that is), is like trying to hold the Vietnamese borderline… OR maybe there is still genuine hope, enough grace and initiative to come to the table and ask, pray with one another: WHOM DO YOU SERVE? Like many who have traversed the Lutheran alphabet soup groups just to get their toe into the door of pastoral ministry… I am done with crying my bitter tears and other Old Natured temptations to vent against the ELCA for I am serving my Lord and my neighbor…. My Lord Jesus and my neighbor go over and above denominations, socio-political BS and serving the world of the self! There’s a lot of work to be done people… I have no regrets that I am no longer ELCA, that’s for sure. What I do regret is that we’re still engaged in these graceless battles. The only person we’re serving with great success beyond the self is Satan. Again in closing may this NOT bind your conscience but free it: Whom Do you truly, faithfully and graciously serve? Bio: Reverend Nicole A.M. Collins was ordained January 17th, 2015 in Chicago & currently serves as the Spiritual Formation Pastor at an unaffiliated Lutheran church plant—The Gathering North in suburban Chicagoland, Glenview, Illinois. She and her husband Phil live in Mundelein Illinois. She is currently awaiting a call for her first solo pastorate in the state of Oregon. Her then anonymous article here was: http://www.exposingtheelca.com/exposed-blog/a-seminarians-journey-exposing-the-teaching-of-an-elca-seminary
Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) went on Twitter and Facebook this week claiming the Son of God made errors.
God's Word says, “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth" (1 Peter 2:22), but these ELCA leaders foolishly think they know better. If this isn't proof enough that the ELCA has a false view of Scripture and God Himself, I don't know what it will take to convince you.
(Update: It looks like WELCA deleted the tweet I originally posted. It was the same as above except it included this comment "Today is the 15th Sunday after Pentecost. Jesus corrected his errors; how will you do the same?" They have not remove this comment from Pinterest yet, you can see it here or I have taken a screenshot of it and posted at the end of this article).
This teaching is widely taught in the ELCA and widely accepted by ELCA leadership. Just a few days ago ELCA Pastor Cindy Muse of Calvary Lutheran Church, West Chester, PA begins this video asking, "Was Jesus a racist?" Please view this video. Later, after claiming she is "Shocked" by Jesus' words she says "Jesus just uttered a racial slur." Here is a blog from a couple months ago with two more ELCA leaders (a seminary professor and a pastor) making similar claims. http://www.exposingtheelca.com/exposed-blog/bigoted-biased-and-racist-jesus
ELCA.org published a post by ELCA pastor Bob Chell, Sioux Falls, SD, on this same topic and he writes “Jesus is being rude and dismissive to the woman he encounters. That is the simplest and, I believe, best explanation.” (see here)
-- WELCA's Pinterest post - (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)
The official website of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has listed some “Don’t miss” stories for its readers. The first listed is the story of Bishop Kevin Kanouse, Bishop of the Northern Texas-Northern Louisiana Synod of the ELCA, who announced his homosexuality to teenagers at the ELCA’s national youth assembly this summer. He has stated that “the Holy Spirit” led him to do this. He told the teens that earlier in his life when he was struggling with God’s call, God said to him “You a**hole, why aren’t you listening to me?” What has happened since his coming out? “The support …and love I have received have been amazing…Perhaps 98% of emails, letters, texts, notes, phone calls, and conversations have been positive. Some have told how their mind has changed as a result of my courage in coming out…” What an indictment of the ELCA, that 98% of those writing him have rejected the Bible’s teaching regarding homosexual behavior to embrace the bishop’s “courage.” No, Bishop Kanouse, it would have been courageous of you to say “I have this temptation, but I believe this behavior is contrary to God’s Word.” But the bishop didn’t say that. Instead he encouraged young people to embrace homosexuality. The bishop writes “the majority of teen suicides are caused by depression and fear over issues around gender identity and rejection.” He cites no study to support this statement, but even if it is true, could not the culprit be not “society’s condemnation” but that there is something inherently depressing and destructive about homosexual acts themselves? Given the liberal climate of the ELCA, it would have been courageous for the bishop to encourage teens to abstain from homosexual behavior, but he didn’t do that. The bishop writes “Among the first comments I heard when I sat down after delivering my sermon at the Youth Gathering where I came out was: “You saved some lives today.” That brought tears.” No, bishop, perhaps your sermon damned some lives that day since I Corinthians 6:9-11 states that those who continue to live in impenitent sin, including the sin of homosexual behavior, will not inherit the Kingdom of God. The bishop continues to share the results of his coming out sermon: “Soon another pastor said: “One of my girls came up to me and asked if I would mind if she talked to our youth group tonight about her own sexuality. She has never told anyone that she is a lesbian.” So the bishop’s message of accepting homosexuality is spreading to ELCA youth groups. The bishop writes of more results of his coming out: “Said one pastor: “…my bible study group (made up mostly of people over 70) spent the entire hour telling stories of people we knew or to whom we were related who were gay or lesbian. We talked about how times have changed. We laughed together and we cried together and in the end they wanted me to tell you (bishop) that you are always welcome to come to our church …”. That kind of heartening response has been repeated over and over again.” Next the bishop writes: “A mother and father pulled me aside… with tears in her eyes (the mother) told me of her daughter…who had come out to her as a lesbian… She said: “I have prayed every night: ‘God change her. God change her.’ Then I read your (bishop’s) letter and subsequent story about your experience and I picked up the phone and called her right away. I apologized to her and reassured her that I love her.” Their daughter had pretty much dropped out of church some years before, perhaps because of this reality in her life, but the following Sunday they were in church, all three of them.” So the point appears to be “Lets get people back in church by telling them their sin is okay.” The truth is that liberal churches which do this are shrinking and conservative churches which uphold the Bible’s teaching are growing. And where is the bishop’s concern for people’s eternal salvation? There are more important things than pleasing people and getting them to attend an heretical church. Lastly, the bishop states “if God can and does love us as we have been created, with all our uniqueness and individuality, how can we as a church reject anyone? Indeed, how can we continue to live with self-hatred, doubt, and rejection? Since God loves us as we are, created in God’s own image, we indeed are freed in Christ to love ourselves unconditionally. That is a new acceptance of grace for me and from me toward others who are LBGT.” My response: Yes, God deeply loves us sinners, but wait a minute, bishop, what about original sin? The Bible (Romans 5:12, 15-19) and the Lutheran Church teach we are born in sin and need to be redeemed from sin. This bishop seems to say we are all born wonderful and have no need to repent of whatever “uniqueness” we have. No, bishop, we are to do what the Apostle Paul writes “If you are living according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Romans 8:13). Tragically it appears the bishop is using his influence to teach that homosexual sin is not really sin, so no need to repent. Again, if I Corinthians 6:9-11 is true, what the bishop is doing is not loving, but damning. I know what this struggle with homosexual temptation is about. I encourage people to read my story entitled “My struggle with same sex attraction” at pastorsstudy.org Also read my article there “What does the Bible teach about homosexuality?” The difference between my position and the bishop’s is the difference between the Bible and the world, truth and falsehood, light and darkness. Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock pastorsstudy.org (The following articles were written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)
Once upon a time, a Lutheran bishop would say "Of course, Holy Scripture forbids homosexual behavior and gay 'marriage'". Today Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America wrote this: "The ELCA social statement... neither endorses nor forbids same-gender marriages and recognizes that we have differing understandings and convictions on this matter...We seek to see our differences as a gift to be celebrated as we live out that which unites us..." Did you catch that? The fact that there are orthodox believers and also heretics in the Church who promote homosexual behavior is a "gift to be celebrated". No, it is a tragedy to be mourned. She also stated "the ELCA Ministry to and with Same-Gender Couples and their Families Working Group remains in the process of completing its work. A report of the group's findings and possible recommendations will be presented to the ELCA Church Council at its November meeting." Who is chairing this working group? George Watson, an ELCA member who is in a homosexual relationship. At a time when our nation desperately needs to see the Church stand for Biblical values, the best the ELCA can offer is: Lets all agree to disagree. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock pastorsstudy.org |
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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