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This all began with a podcast about polyamory. "Polyamory...is the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the consent of all partners involved." (See here) Invited to speak on the podcast was "theologian" J.D. R. Mechelke, an ELCA Luther Seminary student who is getting his M.A. and is also a high school youth minister for an ELCA church.
The headlines are numerous with this one so let's dive in and take a look at what this ELCA seminary student had to say, beginning with this blasphemous quote: - "Some would say that the Last Supper, Jesus is proposing to the 12 friends and so it's very gay and very polyamorous." Here is J.D. Mechelke's full statement beginning with a question from the podcast host:  More from the ELCA seminarian: - "In the evangelical world, there are a lot of the songs and prayers that are used talk about, there's this very intimate, individualistic relationship that people have with God and it's very erotic sometimes. My favorite example is this old song. It's not old, but '90s, "In the secret and the quiet place, I want to touch you. I want to see the--" "You start to think, 'That's kind of erotic and yet it's evangelical.' It's that we're doing that, which is fine. There are queer theologians that are taking that and saying, 'Maybe we have this erotic thing going on with Jesus.' Also thinking about it, 'This is my body.' You're taking somebody's body in your mouth, and so there's some phallic-." - "There's this idea of the polyamorous crisis that's gained traction, but usually the safe way to say it is that God loves everybody. This isn't very safe to say, but God's a total slut in that sense." - "Oh, God, I love when Jesus says 'bush'...I don't think of the burning bush, I think of something else."  (I believe the ELCA seminary student misspoke or there was a transcribing error in the second paragraph, and the first sentence that should say "...there's this guideline for pastors basically that says you can [not] have sex outside of marriage.") If you are wondering what church would be most welcoming to polyamory, J.D. Mechelke answers: "If a church is openly for gay and queer folk, my guess is that you probably won't have that much push back (on) polyamory..." See here for transcript or see the video below)
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ELCA congregation: Take Holy Communion, whether you believe or not, or have been baptized or not9/9/2018 (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)
The Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians that some of them were sick and dying because they were abusing Holy Communion. He then instructed them to examine themselves before taking the Lord's Supper: "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (I Corinthians 11:28). All Saints Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, a congregation of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, states this on their website regarding who may receive Holy Communion: "This meal is God’s love for you. All are welcome to receive the gift of bread and wine (wine or grape juice). This includes people of all ages and abilities; any faith (or non-faith) background; and people who believe, want to believe, or don’t know what to believe. Even if you have not yet been baptized, come and eat!" The Christian Church has always taught that baptism is to precede Holy Communion. "This meal is God's love for you" is true for those who repent of their sins and trust in Christ for forgiveness. But for those who do not, this meal becomes God's judgement. "For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died" (I Corinthians 11:29-30). Probably the people at All Saints Lutheran think they are being loving by saying that anybody can take communion. In reality, they are hurting people in this life and possibly the next. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock (See All Saints Lutheran Church's website where it talks about communion here) Michael Rinehart, the ELCA’s Texas Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod Bishop, recently posted a blog of his time spent with controversial ELCA pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber at her church (House For All Sinners and Saints) in Colorado. Bishop Rinehart included in his blog a picture of the church booklet “Welcome” page that said,
“Everyone without exception is welcome to be fed at God's table of Grace (Communion.)” (see here) God’s Word tells us “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.” – 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 How dangerous of this ELCA church to invite everyone, which includes those that reject Christ, to take communion based on this warning from God. And how treacherous for Bishop Rinehart to post this instruction for all to see without denouncing it. |
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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