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.” Exposing the ELCA has documented that the ELCA’s official website supports and promotes Universal Salvation, the belief that “everyone will be saved.” Within a section called “What We Believe,” on a page dealing with “Salvation” the denomination states:
"Because Jesus is the unique and universal Savior, there is a large hope for salvation, not only for me and others with the proper credentials of believing and belonging to the church, but for all people whenever or wherever they might have lived and no matter how religious or irreligious they may have proved to be themselves. It is clearly God’s announced will that all people shall be saved and come to the knowledge of truth (1 Timothy 2:4)." (ELCA webpage has been taken down but an internet archive website has it here) This is not the only mention of this false teaching on the ELCA website. On “The Resurrection” page, is a subheading “Resurrection for all?” The ELCA document, after first saying that most of the verses in the Bible say not everyone will be saved, goes on to say, "(B)ut ELCA members also look to New Testament texts that go beyond those parameters . . . Lutheran theologian Joseph Sittler coined the phrase ‘Cosmic Christ’ in his 1952 address to the New Delhi assembly of the World Council of Churches, saying, ‘It is now excruciatingly clear that Christ cannot be a light that lighteth everyone coming into the world, if he is not also the light that falls upon the world into which everyone comes.’" A little later it states, “For ELCA members, the resurrection that completes the victory of Christ over sin and death is not intended for Christians alone.” The article continues, "Beyond that,
ELCA members believe that, being ‘entrusted’ with this message of reconciliation, we are to proclaim this salvation intended for all humankind, this redemption of the whole world, this resurrection to new life.” (webpage has been taken down but an internet archive website has the page here) This is on the ELCA’s official website, and it is contained in a section called “What We Believe.” Is there any doubt the ELCA is preaching Universal Salvation? To read more evidence that the ELCA teaches and promotes Universal Salvation see here. The ELCA teaches an interesting, non-orthodox view of Jesus' resurrection. Gnesio, an online magazine of Lutheran theology, writes:
The resurrection for the ELCA does not necessarily have to be a historic event, but something of faith. From their website: “All of this has led some scholars to write that the risen Jesus (and apparitions of the risen Jesus) is a supernatural reality which does not belong to this world and cannot be the object of historic investigation. Rather, Jesus’ resurrection is an object of faith. Accordingly, ELCA members believe that what history does is to demonstrate the disciples’ faith in the resurrection. Their witness and testimony to Jesus’ post-death appearances make it abundantly clear that the resurrection was a primary object of the apostolic proclamation from Christianity’s very beginning.” This view then means that it is not important whether Jesus is still dead in a tomb or not, just that you believe that He rose. Cited from: http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/New-or-Returning-to-Church/Dig-Deeper/The-Resurrection.aspx” (see Gnesio article here. The ELCA removed the article cited by Gnesio from their website but here it is thanks to the wonders of the internet - http://web.archive.org/web/20091005023518/http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/New-or-Returning-to-Church/Dig-Deeper/The-Resurrection.aspx) Mark C. Chavez, director of Lutheran CORE, writes of leadership in the ELCA that follow a Liberal Protestant (LP) theology. An “LP says that resurrection is spiritual or metaphorical, not physical, and LP often asserts that the apostles created a myth to cope with the tragic loss of their leader.” (read here) I guess denying what the Bible says gets easier and easier in the ELCA, the more you do it. (Todays "Exposed Blog" is written by a pastor from Michigan.)
An ELCA news release today highlights the August 30th "Public Statement on the Islamic Center Proposal" by Bishop Robert Rimbo of the Metropolitan New York Synod. In his concluding comments, Bishop Rimbo states: "We commend ourselves to the reliable and merciful arms of the God of Abraham, the God whom Jesus calls Abba, the God whom Muslims and Christians in various parts of the world call Allah. THIS GOD (my capitals) promises a reign in which all shall be well." Am I understanding correctly that the learned bishop is referring here to God almighty revealed in the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ, as the God of many names, including Allah? Or perhaps, a public acknowledgment of many paths to God. It appears so, at least to me, since the bishop says THIS GOD PROMISES A REIGN...(all singular). Isn't this yet another example of the "big tent" ELCA which bends over backward to avoid or distort the biblical name of God for the sake of secular tolerance and "political correctness?" Is all of scripture God's Word or not? ELCA pastor Gary Eichhorn of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior in Oakwood, OH made an interesting statement in a recent news article. The article says this, "Gay Christians refer to the four to seven passages most often cited to attack homosexuality as 'the clobber passages.' (Rev.) Eichhorn of Oakwood said none of them are from the gospels and none are quotations attributed to Jesus.
'I’d rather talk about the things Jesus talked about rather than the things he never talked about,' Eichhorn said." (read here) So only the things Jesus said are important enough to warrant our thoughts, comments and preaching Rev. Eichhorn? Didn't God inspire all of scripture? If God inspired the writings of Peter (and all the writings of scripture), that means Peter wrote what God wanted him to write. What Peter (and all the Biblical authors) wrote is just as important as what Jesus said, because they all come from God. Pastor Eichhorn may be interested in talking about this quote from Jesus, Matt. 5:17,18 - (Jesus said) "Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." So Pastor Eichhorn, if you are only interested in talking about in the things Jesus cared about maybe you should do an in-depth study on Jesus' view of scripture. This article is a good place to start - Jesus and the Inspiration of Scripture. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recently held an event called "Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World." On day three of the conference Muslim and Buddhist prayers were giving at the invitation of the ELCA.
Two students who were with a group called Interfaith Youth Core, and whose Muslim founder and executive director Eboo Patel (read here) was a keynote speaker for the "Sharing the Gospel" event, gave the Muslim and Buddhist prayers. Sue Rothmeyer, ELCA Associate Executive Director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries said, "out of hospitality we offered these students the opportunity to pray." Rothmeyer went on to say, "we carefully stated to (the assembly) it was out of the student's tradition and we invited everyone to listen and participate as they felt comfortable." A conference attendee said of the prayers, "I think everyone in the room thought they were quite beautiful and appreciated people sharing something out of their faith traditions." I have problems with the inclusiveness gospel the ELCA is preaching and conducting. They sacrifice the Good News for the sake of trying to be accepting, tolerant and understanding. The fact of the matter is, sharing the Good News is the most loving, kind and caring thing they could do. But bringing people to the saving grace of Jesus doesn't matter to these ELCA leaders. Now they have prayers, to false gods, given at their "Sharing the Gospel" ELCA event. Jesus would NEVER allow that. He would have been filled with holy anger if the prophets of Baal were in the temple leading people in prayers to their god. Sadly the real Jesus doesn't matter in today's ELCA. Satan has them rejecting the Bible and following his rules. Then the ELCA cloaks everything they do in quasi-christian language and hope you don't notice. Check out this article written by Pastor Jonathan Hein. (read here)
The WELS pastor writes, in part 4 of the this series, about the ELCA's view of scripture, homosexuality, abortion, creation and Jesus' physical resurrection. Does God's written word mean nothing to you? Are you a Christian in name only? I have to ask this, after reading the following article (read here) and hearing of ELCA members and churches deciding to stay in the ELCA. (Praise God for those of you who are standing up to the ELCA's false teachings and ways)
The ELCA mocks scripture that is given to us by God. (Explore this website for the evidence) The ELCA cuts out pieces of the Bible they don't like and rewrites the words to say what they want it to say. Yet most still support this denomination. And what about the content ELCA bishops and pastors? Why are you staying in the ELCA when you know the heresy of the ELCA? Isn't standing up for truth more important to you than your jobs? Are you afraid you may upset some of your congregation or lose some of your members? Or are you afraid you may be called names by people, most of whom are not even Christians. Do you really want to be part of a denomination that places their thoughts above God's thoughts? Do you really want to stand before Jesus someday and tell Him you knew the ELCA walked away from Him but you were afraid to do the same to the ELCA? Dr. David J. Lull, Professor of New Testament at Wartburg Theological Seminary gave a series of lectures in January 2010 titled, "Preaching Lent and Easter." It is amazing what ELCA pastors are being taught by our seminaries.
For all of my life I thought Jesus died for my sins. Thankfully Dr. Lull set me and the 2000 years of Christian teachers and believers straight. Here is what Dr. Lull teaches. "Jesus did not have to die as a condition of God’s forgiveness of sins. Mark knew that Jesus knew that God had always forgiven the sins of “many/all,” and that God would keep on forgiving their sins." (page 9, http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/uploadedfiles/ Events/Lullone.pdf) " . . .I can’t get past the idea that God had a thirst for innocent blood that had to be quenched, or that God’s justice required a death-penalty for sinners until Jesus’ death satisfied God’s wrath. Even if Bible passages can be made to support these ideas, I can’t get past the idea that God had been unforgiving before Jesus died. That’s not the God I find in the Bible." (Page 1, http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/uploadedfiles/ Events/Lulltwo.pdf) "So, an alternative to traditional substitutionary or satisfaction atonement theories is to think of “Good Friday,” not as the beginning of God’s saving action in Jesus, but as its “end,” in the sense that it represents the aim and purpose, the “first passion,” of what God was doing in Jesus’ life all along: namely, entering in full solidarity and accompaniment with the marginalized and oppressed." (Page 2, http://www.wartburgseminary.edu/uploadedfiles/ Events/Lulltwo.pdf) Fellow Christians. Please investigate what your denomination is teaching and decide if you want to continue to be part of that denomination and what they teach. Recently Walter Sundberg, a professor at Luther Seminary (ELCA) gave the sermon during chapel. He was speaking about how he was pleasantly surprised when Christianity was promoted on a couple of the cable news networks. He specifically mentioned when Brit Hume, a FOX news senior political analyst, said that Tiger Woods should turn to the forgiveness and redemption found in Christianity and Jesus Christ.
Shortly thereafter Professor Sundberg said, "I could not believe that this was on television. The only thing that would surprise me more, and I mean this seriously, not as some cheapy throwaway line. The only thing that would surprise me more, is if such advice were given to Tiger Woods publicly by Bishop Mark Hanson or just about any official in the ELCA. But that is not in the realm of possibility, for the officialdom of this denomination or any other mainline denomination. Not gonna happen." (sermon) View the document.
The first part of the document is the church's Confession of Faith. And later is the reasoning behind leaving the ELCA. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered. Zechariah 13:7
He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced my hands and my feet. Psalm 22:16 I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Isaiah 50:6 I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me in the dust of death. Psalm 22:14-15 They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst. Psalm 69:21 All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads: "He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him." Psalm 22:7-8 They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing. Psalm 22:18 Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12 With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause. In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. Psalm 109:3-4 "In that day," declares the Sovereign LORD, "I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. Amos 8:9 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Psalm 22:1 Into your hands I commit my spirit. Psalm 31:5 He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken. Psalm 34:20 He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Isaiah 53:9 Yet it was the LORD's will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10 You will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. Psalm 16:10 After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Hosea 6:2 For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help. Psalm 22:24 All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him. Psalm 22:27 From The Jewish Jesus: Suffering Servant |
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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