Category: Homosexuality

Harmful 'Equality Act' Has ELCA Support

5/20/2019

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) came out last week in support of the so-called "Equality Act" bill. The bill "would place nearly all Christian ministries, religious organizations, and faith-based companies in the cross-hairs of discrimination lawsuits" according to Craig Parshall, General Counsel for National Religious Broadcasters. (See here)

Mr. Parshall went on to say "The law adds sexual orientation and transgender identity as protected categories and then wildly expands the list of activities and organizations impacted by the civil rights law to include any public 'gathering,' 'exhibition,' or 'display,' or anything involving the provision of goods or 'any service, or program.' During one House subcommittee hearing, employment law expert Lawrence Lorber flatly acknowledged that the bill would apply to 'churches' and 'houses of worship.'"

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Advocacy department publicly posted their support of The Equality Act last week. (See below) Director of ELCA Advocacy, Pastor Amy E. Reumann announced "We applaud this historic legislation..." (See here)

You can read more about the ELCA supported bill and its implications here.

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Luther Seminary Chapel Again Bemoans Methodists' Rejection of Homosexuality as ELCA Allows Only Pro-gay View

5/9/2019

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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.)

A few weeks ago after the United Methodist Church voted against ordaining practicing homosexual pastors and against performing gay "weddings", the main chapel speaker at Luther Seminary shared he was "heart-broken" because Jesus calls us to "dismantle heterosexism." A few days ago, Luther Seminary brought in another pastor, a Methodist, who talked about his anger and suffering caused because of the Methodists' rejection of homosexuality (see video below at minute 8:52).

It appears from Luther's chapel services that it is now assumed that almost all are on board with homosexuality and transgenderism. Luther chapel has observed National Coming Out Day and also the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Luther chapel has had homosexual and transgender preachers. To my knowledge Luther chapel has never had one speaker who preached that homosexual behavior is sinful, even though that is the teaching of Scripture (see my article "What does the Bible say about homosexuality?" at pastorsstudy.org).

Back in 2009 the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted to start ordaining practicing homosexuals. Prior to the vote, conservatives were assured that if the pro-gay resolution went through, their voice would be still be honored and heard along with the more liberal view. Where is the traditional viewpoint heard today in ELCA institutions? Why are seminary students only given the liberal point of view? Why won't the national ELCA magazine "Living Lutheran" allow the conservative viewpoint on homosexuality? Why did the ELCA bishops recently recommend that homosexual clergy must marry their partners? Whatever happened to allowing the traditional, Biblical view in the ELCA? I think the liberal take-over of the ELCA is pretty much complete. Yes, individual pastors and congregations might still hold a conservative view, but good luck finding that view in the ELCA's hierarchy, media, colleges, and seminaries.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

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ELCA Seminaries Hosting a 'Queering the Path' Discernment Retreat For Prospective Pastors

4/21/2019

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A discernment retreat called "Queering the Path" is being hosted by the "Seminaries of the ELCA" and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries (ELM) at the ELCA's Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary (PLTS) in April 2019.

The retreat is for LGBTQIA+ individuals who are considering going into public ministry.

"The Seminaries of the ELCA" are working with a LGBT supportive ministry to find future pastors. Is there any doubt where the ELCA stands on homosexuality? They are actively seeking lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people to become pastors in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

ELM calls itself a "professional community for publicly identified gender and sexual minority ministers and candidates."

(See here)

More on the ELCA and Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries:

The ELCA's Sierra Pacific Synod Vice-President wrote how they are honored to represent the synod at the "Extraordinary Lutheran Ministries 'Extraordinary Callings-Holy & Queer Resistance in the Lutheran Church' exhibit..."

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ELCA Pastor Denies Biblical Inerrancy and the Reality of Hell

4/2/2019

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Chris Brown is an ELCA pastor in Solvang, CA. On Twitter, Pastor Brown responded to a gentleman who listed seven statements of which he believes. Pastor Brown disagreed. The dialogue is quite interesting:

(or see here)

Most ELCA pastors would agree with Pastor Chris Brown in his denial of Biblical inerrancy. And the ELCA constitution does not claim that the Bible is inerrant.

The ELCA Presiding Bishop made a similar claim, as Pastor Brown, concerning hell, last year saying if there is a hell she believes it is empty. (see here)

And as we have seen over the last decade, the vast majority of ELCA pastors do not view homosexuality as sin or sinful.

This is the disturbing reality of the ELCA. Their view of God's Word allows them to pick and choose what parts they believe. Sins, of which people should repent, are celebrated as God-honoring. And their belief about hell, which ties to the belief that all people will be saved, results in no evangelism, no seeking to save souls. (See more on the ELCA's view on hell here and universalism here and here)

To shed some more light on ELCA Pastor Chris Brown, his Twitter page is mostly filled with angry tweets about Republicans, President Trump and those who support him. (See here)

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ELCA Church Seeks Youth Attendance and Involvement at Concert and Presentation of Gay Man's 'Coming Out' Story

3/27/2019

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Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, PA, is hosting Mikah Meyer, a gay man, who will be conducting a concert and presentation about his "coming out." Trinity Lutheran is an ELCA church and would like to have "A strong youth presence for the upcoming Mikah Meyer* concert" (See here). They are seeking 7th through 12th graders to usher for the event.

"Trinity is hosting 'Travel Beyond Convention', a cabaret style one-man show featuring Mikah Meyer, an inspiring young man and countertenor. Facebook invitation is here Mikah will be singing at both the 8:30 and 10:30 service on Sunday, April 7th. In Social Hall, beginning at 9:30 Trinity Youth will have a special opportunity to meet Mikah and hear about his faith journey. Mikah is a gay Christian whose story about coming out is integrated with his stories of exploring creation on his quest to visit all National Park Sites. Mikah’s message includes his experience of knowing God’s love for him through his struggles. While this message is important for all us to hear, it’s especially important for the younger people in our community who may be dealing with their own struggles."

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ELCA’s New Proposed Standards for Pastors: Bishops Apologize for Offending LGBTQIA Community, Straight and Gay Pastors Should Marry their Partners, Cohabitation is Forbidden, but is Sex Outside of Marriage?

3/12/2019

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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.)

Reverend Nadia Bolz-Weber, a pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and speaker at the ELCA Youth Gathering, has stated publicly that she enjoys having sex outside of marriage with her boyfriend. She signed a statement by a group of ELCA leaders called “Naked and Unashamed” which wants to overthrow the old 1990 ELCA rules that said pastors should not have sex outside of marriage.

The ELCA bishops are presently working on a new set of standards for ELCA clergy to reflect the fact that the ELCA now ordains practicing homosexuals. The bishops state::

“We express our profound grief and deep regret for the times when Vision and Expectations (the 1990 rules) has been misused to single out, marginalize, and block people seeking to be leaders in this church when their peers were not always held to the same vision and expectations. This has caused considerable pain that has disproportionately been borne by those who have been historically marginalized or excluded from leadership in the church because of their gender, sexuality, race, or status. We apologize to those whose treatment under this document has made them feel targeted and less than the beloved children of God that they are.”

I think this means, in part, that the bishops feel bad for not supporting practicing homosexual pastors and their partners in the past. That all changed in 2009 when the ELCA voted to allow non-celibate homosexual pastors.

The proposed new statement reads that “Those who serve as (ELCA) pastors and deacons reflect a variety of sexual orientations and diverse gender identities…the greatest sexual intimacies should be matched with marriage. Pastors and deacons, as public witnesses to this church’s respect for marriage, are therefore to live in accordance with the understanding that deepening degrees of sexual intimacy are aligned with deepening levels of commitment to one another and the relationship. Such relationships are to be exclusive, monogamous, consensual, and in the ELCA, require marriage before cohabitation for those serving as pastors and deacons.”

Thus, in this new statement, cohabitation (living together) is forbidden for ELCA pastors. I believe this means that a homosexual pastor living with a partner in a sexual relationship now needs to get “married”. This is tragic. What if the homosexual pastor gets “married” and then later comes to realize that homosexual behavior is sin? But now the pastor has been saddled with a “marriage” at the insistence of the bishops of the Church. This is the strange new world of the ELCA.

And what about a heterosexual pastor like Bolz-Weber who engages in sex with her boyfriend, presumably in a “loving, monogamous relationship”? Since only cohabitation is explicitly forbidden by the proposed statement, is she allowed to continue to be sexually active and face no discipline?

The statement is in its rough draft form and hopefully the language will eventually make it clear that both cohabitation and fornication are forbidden. But we shall see. I believe the greatest error of the statement is telling homosexual pastors they must “marry” their sexual partners.

Back in 2009 the ELCA agreed that the conservative view regarding homosexual behavior would be honored alongside the liberal view. Where is the conservative view being honored in the ELCA today? What if an ELCA bishop were to say “I hold to the conservative view and I refuse to ordain a practising homosexual”? Would such a bishop be allowed in the ELCA?

You can read the entire proposed new statement in the link below at the very bottom. And I hope it will make you consider leaving the ELCA if you are still a member.

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

PS If you want to read what ELCA Pastor Bolz-Weber said in a podcast about how great sex is with her boyfriend, I have edited out her foul language below. As you read it, keep in mind she is an ELCA pastor in good standing with the denomination and spoke to 31,000 ELCA teens last summer:

Reverend Nadia Bolz-Weber: “But I get together with my boyfriend and start having sex and it was like 'holy s___,’ I was like, it felt like an exfoliation of my whole spirit. I'm like 'This is so good for my brain chemistry, and my body, and my heart. And I’m like f___ man, why in the world would the Church say ‘Don’t do this?’ Like I could tell it was what I needed, and it was so good.”
For new proposed standards for ELCA pastors:

https://download.elca.org/ELCA%20Resource%20Repository/Trustworthy_Servants_Common_Draft_3-4-2019.pdf

--

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ELCA Seminarian Motivated By 'intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith dialogue, (and) sex positivity'

3/5/2019

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Madeline Burbank is a Master of Divinity student at the ELCA's Luther Seminary. Below is an announcement she made on her Facebook page about her education choice and the motivation behind it. Madeline Burbank does not mention telling people about Jesus and His free gift of salvation. It is about "Effective relief efforts, lifelong service, environmental stewardship, anti-racism, immigrant and refugee support, intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith dialogue, sex positivity, and improving education..."

Everyone should be frightened about the pastors the ELCA is and has ordained.

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ELCA Pastors Prayed for the Decision of 'Full Inclusion' In The United Methodist Church: Bishop Eaton+ Respond to the Decision

2/28/2019

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The United Methodist Church (UMC) met this week in what is called their General Conference. On the docket for this week was a vote to allow practicing homosexual pastors and gay marriage. Below are some social media posts by Evangelical Lutheran Church in America pastors posting their support for homosexual Methodists and for the same-sex marriage.

The vote failed. Methodists from many countries voted overwhelmingly to stand with God's Word, which calls homosexuality a sin and something of which one should repent.

In response to the UMC vote, ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton issued a statement where she talked about the ELCA's 2009 vote to "opened the way" for same-sex marriage and practicing homosexual pastors saying, "though a controversial decision at the time, our 2009 action has brought strength and blessings for our life and mission beyond what we could have imagined a decade ago. This church treasures the faithful ministries of those rostered leaders who help us witness to God's love and invitation for all people. Their ministries are integral to who we are as this church." (See here)

Before the Vote

Praying for all gathered this weekend at #UMCGC. God of love, give them patience and love for one another and for your whole Church. Open hearts and minds to new possibilities so all may hear the good news of Jesus’ love for the whole world and for all people. Amen.#GC2019 #ELCA
— Pastor Daniel Flucke (@danielflucke) February 24, 2019

I’ve been contemplating watching and I’m not even Methodist - I’m ELCA! This queer Lutheran pastor is praying for y’all (and so is my church) and sending SO MUCH love. #churchnerd #churchnerdsunite #FaithfullyLGBT □️‍□❤️□️‍□
— Megan Elliott (@megnadoodle1982) February 25, 2019

Hey, @rmnetwork @umchurch, we prayed for your General Conference at @SOJ_Seguin today. I’m instagramming our most rainbow □ part of worship for you. ❤️#foreveryoneborn #umcgc #gc2019 #umc… https://t.co/dyucgZ3bRz
— Megan Elliott (@megnadoodle1982) February 24, 2019

@BishopOliveto praying for our UMC Sisters and Brothers in General Conference. Your ELCA Full Communion Partners are praying with you and standing for full inclusion. God bless you.
— John Ericson (@jericson1963) February 25, 2019

The people of my @ELCA congregation lifted the @UMCGC in our prayers this morning. May God’s wide-reaching love and persistent justice prevail in your midst.
— Collette Broady Grund (@Collettebro) February 25, 2019

I'm definitive re-living 2009 (ELCA "decision" year) anxieties... And I'm cishet.

I cannot begin to imagine what my LGBTQIA+ Siblings are going through.
— John Sipf - He/Him/His □□□□□□□□□□□□□ (@Pr_JT_Sipf) February 25, 2019

After the Vote

An ELCA seminary:

An ELCA church:

Prayers are requested for ELCA seminarians awaiting assignment to first call areas today, and those in the United Methodist Church who are LGTBQUIA in the wake of decisions made yesterday that exclude their full participation in church and ministry.
— Bethesda New Haven (@bethesdaNH) February 27, 2019

Savanna Sullivan, an ELCA employee and the Director of @ELCAYoungAdults -

What shall we say in response to these things? | Romans 8:31

Our LGBTQ+ siblings are aching. ELCA leaders, what will we say in response from our pulpits? What will we say about our own churches excluding these folx? How will we see this as a call to VERBALIZED AFFIRMATION?
— Savanna Sullivan (@sav_sull) February 27, 2019

ELCA Pastor Melissa Bills -

My profile pic is one I took a few years ago to stand in solidarity and love with my UMC siblings. The sentiment still stands. This ELCA pastor loves you and prays with you and weeps with you, dear ones.
— Melissa Bills (@melissaannbills) February 27, 2019

Dan Glamann, Retired Assistant to the Bishop, Central States Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) -

My heart aches for the UMC. We in the ELCA went through this years ago and have survived the decision. Members/leaders/pastors are certainly welcome with us.

United Methodist Church (@UMChurch) leaders vote against #LGBTQ inclusion. https://t.co/LZsXA06ntY via @HRC
— Dan Glamann (@GlamannD) February 27, 2019

An ELCA church:

We stand with our @UMChurch #LGBTQIA siblings in Christ who are unsure of their places in the church and, worse, of their status as children of God. We love you and affirm that you are beloved and chosen by God—as you are! #FaithfullyLGBT
— Calvary ELCA (@calvary_elca) February 27, 2019

ELCA pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber -

There is God. And then there is the church. The less we conflate the two, the better. The church may reject God’s children, but God never does. To my queer siblings, I’m so sorry. You are glorious. #GC2019
— Nadia Bolz-Weber (SHAMELESS af) (@Sarcasticluther) February 25, 2019

ELCA Pastor Norma Cook Everist, "Distinguished Professor of Church and Ministry emerita," Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. -

I stand with those who lament the decision of the United Methodist Church to continue to officially forbid same-sex marriages and ordination of LGBT people. It has been 10 years since the ELCA voted for inclusivity.
— Norma Cook Everist (@NEverist) February 27, 2019

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Luther Seminary Preacher 'Heartbroken' that Methodists Reject Homosexuality, Says Jesus Calls Us to Dismantle Heterosexism

2/27/2019

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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.)

Yesterday the United Methodist denomination rejected gay marriage and the ordination of practicing homosexual pastors. Back in 2009, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America embraced both these things and it has been shrinking in membership ever since. In 2009 conservatives were urged to stay in the ELCA and were assured that their traditional viewpoint would be welcome among the diverse views of the ELCA.

Luther Seminary is a seminary of the ELCA. They have had homosexual and transgender preachers at Luther chapel but to my knowledge since 2009 they have not had one preacher uphold the traditional viewpoint on homosexuality.   So much for “diversity and inclusivity” at Luther.

Today Luther’s seminary pastor, Reverend Justin Lind-Ayers, preached a seminary chapel sermon stating that he was heartbroken over the Methodists’ rejection of homosexuality. If you want to hear a heretical use of Jesus to promote homosexuality, start at minute 20 in the below video. Three of the lowlights of his sermon:

“I have heard the voice of Jesus emboldening the defiant acts of justice”.

Lind-Ayers believes “the voice of Jesus” is calling us to “dismantle heterosexism”.

Lind-Ayers praises the “amazing God-given gifts of the LGBTQIA community.”

I am sad and angry that my alma mater, Luther Seminary, has become captive to the spirit of the age instead of captive to the Holy Spirit. I am sad they have embraced the world and not the Word.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

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Liberal, Feminist, Pro-Gay/Transgender Luther Seminary Loses a Potential Student

2/24/2019

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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.)

Years ago when I graduated from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, it was known as the most conservative of the seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Things have changed.

In recent times, Luther Seminary chapel has observed National Coming Out Day for homosexuals and the Transgender Day of Remembrance. Luther chapel has featured homosexual and transgender preachers and a womanist/feminist preacher had the students stand in a circle, hold hands, and imagine they were in the “pushy womb of God.” God is sometimes referred to as "Mother" and next month Luther Seminary will have a “Global Feminist Theologies” chapel service. At another chapel service, the preacher had students practice deep breathing meditation during his sermon.

The result of the above? Luther Seminary has announced it will be selling off some of its campus buildings because of its financial problems.

Yesterday I received the following message:

"Pastor Brock, I began fasting today over the decision to attend Luther Seminary, and I found your article on their now liberal stance. Thank you so much for that article, it was the icing I needed to inform Luther I will not be attending their seminary in the fall! ...I was forwarded a text from a relative from Luther advertising free tuition... I had my final interview...yesterday. My final question to him was, “What is Luther’s stance on homosexuality?” To my dismay... he informed me that the professors are “liberal,” and I’d be among homosexuals in my classes that were welcomed... I was floored by that admission, but still wondered could this be God’s will for me... and I just read your piece where you ended, “Sadly, I can recommend my old seminary to no one.” Thank you sir. That was an answer to prayer... I’ll keep searching... God bless you and your candidness..!"

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

P.S. Please pray for The Pastor’s Study as we seek to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ on television and also as we warn people of false teaching in today’s churches. If you would like to support our work, you may donate online at pastorsstudy.org or send a check to:

The Pastor’s Study
P.O. 41294
Minneapolis, Mn. 55441

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My Letter to the Editor: Same-Sex Marriage

2/19/2019

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Published Jan. 31, 2019 in the Lake Mills Graphic

This letter is in response to the discussions happening over having same-sex marriages performed at Salem Lutheran Church, as there are two gentlemen seeking to be married there. God loves these two men immensely. That is 100% true. And He loves everyone reading this. We are undeserving of His love. Jesus Christ came to offer us all salvation and forgiveness of sin. We all need that forgiveness.

Sadly, the people encouraging same-sex marriages are encouraging people to embrace something God does not desire for them. God speaks specifically in the Bible, saying to not engage in same sex relationships. It is one of a host of sins of which God has lovingly warned us to refrain and from which to repent. That doesn’t mean He hates people with same-sex attraction, just the opposite; out of love He wants the best for them and that is not found in homosexual love.

Christ defined marriage to be between one man and one woman. God’s Word also says sex should not be between people of the same gender. He has defined what is good and what is not, for our good. When we sin, as all do, He says, “Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!” (Matthew 4:17) Repentance is “turning from sin.” I don’t know why some have same sex attraction and some are susceptible to other sins, but God desires to give people the power to refrain from it and wants us to help one another do so.

When we sin, there is forgiveness with repentance. Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32), and in the New Testament book of Acts we read, “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19). As Christians, we should not enable or bless sinful behavior but lovingly encourage people to repent, to turn away from sin.

One of the foundational questions in this conversation is “What is the loving thing to do?” Love leads people to the Lord where we receive truth, promises, a relationship with Him, freedom and so much more. Love invites people to repent, of any sin, so as the verse from Acts above says, “our sins may be wiped out,” and we will be refreshed. That is love. That is grace. Those are promises that invite us to truly live.

It is out of love for the people of Lake Mills and of the LGBT community that I write this. Sadly, and discouragingly, those who share this Biblical understanding are often labeled as “not loving” and worse. I care about these two gentlemen, and it would not be right of me, Salem Lutheran Church or anyone else to bless or encourage people to embrace something God says not to do.

Dan Skogen

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(See letter here)

A bit of background information:

- I know one of these gentlemen who is seeking the same-sex wedding. When the two men posted a video on Facebook talking about their hope to have a wedding at this ELCA church in which one of them grew up, it seemed that everyone who responded, encouraged them, and I wrote to them saying much of what was in this letter to the editor.

- I grew up in this town and went to this church for a few years before moving.

- The church, Salem Lutheran, has had a hard 10 years. After the ELCA's 2009 votes allowing homosexual weddings and pastors who are practicing homosexuals, this church voted to not allow gay weddings. But the church stayed in the ELCA. Now after a decade of turmoil, the church is revisiting the issue. In fact, I've been told by a couple people that the congregation recently voted to allow gay weddings.

- Let this be a warning to all ELCA churches who think they can ignore the heresy and false teaching in the denomination, believing that it will not affect them.

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ELCA Bishop Tells 'The New Yorker' Magazine, Nadia Bolz-Weber's Sexual Reformation is Long Overdue

2/9/2019

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Yes, this is another blog about ELCA superstar pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber. This post contains further confirmation, and a public show of support by ELCA leadership, for Nadia and her call for a sexual reformation.

The New Yorker magazine wrote a feature story on Rev. Bolz-Weber this week, titled "The Lutheran Pastor Calling for a Sexual Reformation," which provides a window into the life, thoughts and vile nature of this beloved ELCA pastor, which I will highlight. The most important revelation came from Nadia's bishop, Rev. Jim Gonia, of the Rocky Mountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He begins by comparing Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber to Martin Luther, "He talked about farting and drinking and he was kind of like Nadia.” The feature writer continues, "Gonia summed up Luther’s idea like this: 'Now that we don’t need to worry that we’re good enough for God, how do we direct our attention to our neighbor?'”

Then we have the ELCA leadership's public approval of Nadia, who wants to undo Biblical teaching reserving sexual relations to one man and one woman within marriage. Here is the whole paragraph from the article to give you context:

"Bolz-Weber argues that this idea should be extended to sex. For millennia, the Church has taught Christians to deny their physical selves, and to consider carnal urges sinful. 'We keep looking for a set of laws that will save us,' Bolz-Weber told me. 'Relying on grace can feel shaky. If it’s free it must be worthless.' As a result, both men and women lead fractured lives, believing that their sexuality is at odds with their spirituality. 'This idea that salvation comes through sexual repression,' Bolz-Weber said, 'that shit comes out sideways.' In “Shameless,” she sets out to build a sexual ethic around human flourishing rather than around rules encoded by men centuries ago. This begins by recognizing that with sex, as with everything else, 'it’s not about being good—it’s about grace.' This, she argues, is actually just the natural extension of classical Lutheranism. 'She’s the most classical Lutheran preacher you’ll ever meet,' Gonia said, adding that the reformation she’s calling for is long overdue. 'We have so intellectualized our faith—there’s a need to bring head, heart, and body into the forefront of our lives, for the future of the Christian tradition.'"

People of the ELCA, the leadership approves of what Nadia Bolz-Weber is preaching. This is public confirmation, along with ELCA leadership having her speak to 31,000 ELCA youth this summer as they assembled for the church-wide gathering. They are on board with these harmful sexual ethics she and many others preach that clearly go against God's will for people. Why are you still part of this vile denomination?

Here is a run down concerning things from The New Yorker article (in which I am quoted):

- Nadia Bolz-Weber and her two children recently went to a sexually explicit exhibition called "Au Natural" that included casts of penises, nudity, and a sculpture that is masturbating. It also presented a sculpture of Jesus made from cigarettes.

- "When she was twenty, she joined Vox Femina, a feminist performance-art group whose acts, she told me, weren’t so different from Lucas’s egg massage." (referring to one of the art exhibition performances)

- She use to be a call-center psychic.

- She had an abortion, saying she could not afford a child. And she does not think abortion is wrong.

- She divorced her husband and loves having sex with her boyfriend, which has caused her to feel closer to God.

- Her son is gay, and at 16 years old Nadia bought him condoms when she heard he had a new boyfriend.

- She calls the belief, that homosexuality is wrong, "bigotry."

- Bolz-Weber was once a counselor at a Unitarian summer camp where some campers would sunbathe nude.

As you can see below, ELCA pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber is publicizing The New Yorker piece as if she is happy with what it says.

Grateful for writers like @elizagriswold who are willing to cover progressive religious voices! https://t.co/BBBZhWCatZ
— Nadia Bolz-Weber (SHAMELESS af) (@Sarcasticluther) February 8, 2019

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Problems With Bethany College (Kansas), a School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

1/20/2019

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Bethany College is located in Lindsborg, Kansas, and boasts that it "is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), owned and operated by the Central States Synod and the Arkansas/Oklahoma Synod of the ELCA" (See here).

If you have looked through the multitude of documented information on Exposing the ELCA, you know that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is shockingly liberal and progressively extreme.

Exposing the ELCA began investigating the colleges of this denomination, and in this installment, we will look at Bethany College (Kansas). It was more difficult, than other ELCA colleges, to unearth material about Bethany, because they do not have as much information online. This is what was found:

- On campus at Bethany College is “The Ally Group." It is "a gay/straight alliance of students, staff and faculty who support gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people. The group also works to promote a positive campus environment for GLBTs.” (See here)

- Bethany College provides condoms and Depo Provera birth control shots at the school's nurse office. See the Health & Wellness page here.

- In 2017, the president of Bethany College wrote a letter in favor of DACA saying
"...Jesus did not teach us to deport the stranger, but to take them into our homes and to love them." (See here)

- One of the most vocally liberal ELCA bishops, Michael Rinehart, will be speaking at Bethany College. He is bishop of the Texas-Louisiana Gulf Coast Synod. (See here)

- Controversial Pastor Michael Himlie was a speaker at Kansas' Bethany College recently. Pastor Himlie "spoke at chapel, met with local area pastors, and gave a public lecture in the evening." He graduated from Manchester University majoring on peace studies and focusing on "Israel’s occupation of Palestine." (See here)

Rev. Amy Truhe is the Bethany College Campus Pastor. (See here) Below are some posts she has made on her Facebook page and it tells a lot about the type of pastor she is.

Bethany College Campus Pastor Amy Truhe also shared a number of Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber related posts in the last couple months. Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, an ELCA pastor, has very troubling views of God's Word and sex. Read more about Rev. Bolz-Weber here and here.

With that in mind, consider also the pride Bethany College has in being affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, as you can again see below. It is hard to imagine any reason to tout that connection unless you align with their ways.

Bethany College is proud of the connection with the ELCA Lutheran Church, preparing students for a lifetime of Servant Leadership. Learn more about Bethany College and apply today! #BethanyCollegeLBK #SwedeNation #BethanyArise #RockarStockar pic.twitter.com/oXJcafdCkA
— Bethany College KS (@bethanynews) December 25, 2018

(See information on other colleges affiliated with the ELCA here)

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ELCA 'Best of' in 2018 Tweet Includes Presiding Bishop's Quote, 'Human Sexuality and Gender Identity is a Beautiful Mystery'

1/3/2019

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Below is a tweet by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. They call it "#bestnine2018." The first picture listed is a statement by ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton saying, "No human institution decides who is human, who is visible, who is valued. Human sexuality and gender identity is a beautiful mystery. Trans people, like all people, are beloved by God."

The ELCA is calling this one of their Best Nine of 2018. Also included in their best nine are two pictures (maybe three) of the atrocious ELCA Youth Gathering where teenagers were indoctrinated with leftist anti-Biblical theology and politics, a bunch of "ELCA votes" buttons, three pictures of candles and a cross picture.

Go to ELCA tweet here.

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An ELCA Church Holds A 'Queer Christmas Pageant'

12/27/2018

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Dreams and Visions is the name of a new church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) located in Baltimore, Maryland. Last week they held a gathering they called "Incarnate: A Queer Christmas Pageant." The ELCA church invited people to "Celebrate Christmas in a Queer and sacred space."

The ELCA church's Facebook post gives you a little more information about the pageant.

(See more photos of the pageant here.)

I probably do not need to explain to you how this is blasphemous, a mockery of Christ's birth and an encouragement of sinful and harmful living.

Dreams and Visions is a newly formed ELCA church run by well-known ELCA pastor, Emily Scott, who was a main stage speaker at the ELCA’s 2015 National Youth Gathering. The church formed in conjunction with the ELCA's Delaware-Maryland Synod. The synod was mentioned in the Queer Christmas Pageant 'Thank You' section. (See here)

Dreams and Visions' website explains the church's beginnings and vision saying, "Our Bishop Bill Gohl (as well as his predecessor) had dreamed of a new spiritual community taking root in Lauraville. Emily Scott, now our pastor, dreamed of a congregation that was fresh, joyful, and justice oriented, where LGBTQ+ folks were part of the DNA of the community. It turned out God shared that dream, and brought together Emily, the Delaware-Maryland Synod, and bunch of leaders, supporters, and congregants to imagine something new together."

The church website goes on to say "The ELCA is a denomination that supports the lives and ministries of LGBTQ people and, does incredible work with refugees and immigrants. The local expression of our denomination called the Delaware-Maryland Synod. Bishop Bill Gohl, Dr. Amsalu Geleta, and the Synod Council have all worked together so that Dreams and Visions might come into being!" (see here)

If you have any doubt that God is calling you to leave the ELCA, continue reading and then reread this article. The ELCA has abandoned God, Truth, Love and God's Word. You have no excuse to remain in this apostate denomination.

(See here)

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Harmful 'Equality Act' Has ELCA Support

Luther Seminary Chapel Again Bemoans Methodists' Rejection of Homosexuality as ELCA Allows Only Pro-gay View

ELCA Seminaries Hosting a 'Queering the Path' Discernment Retreat For Prospective Pastors

ELCA Pastor Denies Biblical Inerrancy and the Reality of Hell

ELCA Church Seeks Youth Attendance and Involvement at Concert and Presentation of Gay Man's 'Coming Out' Story

ELCA’s New Proposed Standards for Pastors: Bishops Apologize for Offending LGBTQIA Community, Straight and Gay Pastors Should Marry their Partners, Cohabitation is Forbidden, but is Sex Outside of Marriage?

ELCA Seminarian Motivated By 'intersectional feminism, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, interfaith dialogue, (and) sex positivity'

ELCA Pastors Prayed for the Decision of 'Full Inclusion' In The United Methodist Church: Bishop Eaton+ Respond to the Decision

Before the Vote

After the Vote

Luther Seminary Preacher 'Heartbroken' that Methodists Reject Homosexuality, Says Jesus Calls Us to Dismantle Heterosexism

Liberal, Feminist, Pro-Gay/Transgender Luther Seminary Loses a Potential Student

My Letter to the Editor: Same-Sex Marriage

ELCA Bishop Tells 'The New Yorker' Magazine, Nadia Bolz-Weber's Sexual Reformation is Long Overdue

Problems With Bethany College (Kansas), a School of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

ELCA 'Best of' in 2018 Tweet Includes Presiding Bishop's Quote, 'Human Sexuality and Gender Identity is a Beautiful Mystery'

An ELCA Church Holds A 'Queer Christmas Pageant'

Dan Skogen

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