Category: Living Lutheran

Socialist ELCA Leader's Radical Beliefs Including the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel and the ELCA's Support of BDS

11/23/2018

Pay attention to the people lifted up by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, those on whom they shine a spot light -- like the vile-speaking and sin-preaching people the ELCA placed in front of 31,000 youth this summer. (see here, here, here,
here, here, here and here) or the people living out sinful lifestyles whom the ELCA advocacy featured this summer. (see here) Please note who is writing articles for the ELCA's magazine and the people they feature in ELCA publications.

They are not orthodox, conservative, or Bible-believing Lutherans.

This week Pastor El-Yateem was featured in the ELCA's official magazine Living Lutheran (see here and below).

ELCA Pastor Khader El-Yateem is the president of the ELCA Association of Lutherans of Arab and Middle Eastern Heritage. He is also the director for evangelical mission and assistant to the bishop in the ELCA's Florida-Bahamas Synod.

Let me tell you about Rev. Khader El-Yateem. He is radical liberal and not a friend of Israel.

- He is quoted in a New York newspaper saying, “I support BDS. And I will say this publicly, I say it to everyone.” (See here) BDS is a Palestinian origination movement aimed at encouraging Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel.

In a moment of truth-telling, El-Yateem announced, "My church the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and I support the BDS."

(Radical Linda Sarsour, who is a friend of Rev. El-Yateem as you will see in pictures below, commented on Rev. El-Yateem's post saying BDS is "a non violent means of protest protected by the US constitution." See here and read about Linda Sarsour here)

The BDS movement is anti-Semitism in action. This movement has no place in the Christian church, yet we have the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America supporting this movement (see here for further confirmation). Add to that Rev. Khader El-Yateem, also a high-ranking ELCA leader, is an outspoken advocate of BDS.

- Last year, Rev. El-Yateem offered housing to Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) staff when the United States spoke of closing the PLO mission in the nation's capital. (see here) If you are not aware, the PLO has a long history of terrorism against Israelis. (See here)

Here are some of other anti-Israel social media posts by Rev. El-Yateem. Two years ago, the ELCA pastor shared this post, a radical message to and about both Israel and the United States.

Below is what Pastor El-Yateem believes and thinks. History says otherwise.

In the following Facebook post, ELCA leader Khader El-Yateem says, "the Israeli soldiers have no respect for human life or law." Notice the rocks being thrown at the soldiers in the video he shared.

Below, the ELCA pastor expresses delight with President Obama's betrayal of Israel.

Next Khader El-Yateem shows his displeasure with a new Israeli law allowing BDS advocates to be banned from Israel. He could and should be one of those banned from ever going to the Jewish state.

Did you know Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Rev. Khader El-Yateem is a socialist?

- While running for a political office a few years ago, ELCA pastor El-Yateem said, "I want to be Trump’s worst nightmare.” That is recorded in an article about Rev. El-Yateem titled (see here) Meet the Socialist Who Hopes to Become New York’s First Arab-American Elected Official. The article goes on to say,

"It was these progressive credentials that inspired the New York chapter of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to endorse El-Yateem and marshal its fervent base to volunteer on his behalf week after week, day after day. As of early September, the DSA reported that 'nearly 300' of its volunteers have participated in the El-Yateem campaign, including knocking on over 15,000 doors. And, while El-Yateem admits that some Democrats are unsure about the term 'socialism,' he is proud of the endorsement and unabashed about his socialism. 'Jesus was a socialist!' he laughs, referencing his vocation as a pastor."

How a Socialist Palestinian Reverend Became a Frontrunner in the NYC Council race- go vote for @KhaderElyateem ! https://t.co/D6mMtLiR9V
— NYCKidsPAC (@NYCKidsPAC) September 12, 2017

Democratic Socialists vow ground war to help elect @KhaderElyateem https://t.co/gbKzH7B4Xk pic.twitter.com/dqHQ3aFmZw
— Brooklyn Daily Eagle (@BklynEagle) June 8, 2017

ELCA Rev. Khader El-Yateem radicalism runs deep in many other areas too. Below are some of his social media posts.

- Rev. El-Yateem retweeted a post saying "Abolish profit. Abolish prisons. Abolish cash bail. Abolish borders. #AbolishICE."

- And here the ELCA pastor takes a knee with Linda Sarsour to #StandWithKap.

At our #SoulfulSundays meeting today, we all decided to #TakeTheKnee. We #StandWithKap and are committed to fighting for racial justice. pic.twitter.com/NsicI7XdUb
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) September 25, 2017

- ELCA pastor El-Yateem must be pretty close with Sarsour, here he says "#IMarchWithLinda."

- So moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem is against Jesus, but Palestinians claiming the Jewish capital as their own is not?

- ELCA leader El-Yateem is honored to have an abortion advocating organization's endorsement. And he adds "Women's health is non-negotiable."

Very honored to have the endorsement of the National Institute for Reproductive Health Action Fund! Women's health is non-negotiable. pic.twitter.com/BfJVeFsn8U
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) August 22, 2017

- This ELCA leaders stands with LGBTQ community and displays some fine name-calling skills.

Disgusted by @POTUS transphobia. I stand with the #LGBTQ community against this unabashed bigotry and hatred. You deserve so much better.
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) July 26, 2017

- And again, happy pride and #LoveIsLove posted by the ELCA leader.

Happy #Pride2017! The Pride parade demonstrates what can be accomplished by fighting for what's right together. #LoveIsLove
— Rev.Khader El-Yateem (@KhaderElyateem) June 25, 2017

This is the leader being lifted up by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

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ELCA Lutheran Magazine Advertises Gay Bishop's Cruise, Won't Allow Conservative Ad on Homosexuality

10/22/2018

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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.)

The latest edition of Living Lutheran, the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, is running an ad inviting people to join Bishop Guy Erwin on a cruise of the Mediterranean. Erwin is the ELCA's first openly homosexual bishop with a "husband". Bishop Erwin has ridden in the Los Angeles gay pride parade.

I am on the board of One By One, a Christian group which helps people out of homosexual behavior. Some months ago our president contacted Living Lutheran about buying an ad about our ministry in the magazine. The advertising director of the Living Lutheran wrote back: "Unfortunately what you're proposing isn't in harmony with recent ELCA church decisions, so our editors are declining your offer to advertise with us."

Thus, Living Lutheran will advertise a practicing homosexual bishop's cruise, but won't allow a group to advertise the traditional, Biblical view of homosexuality. Such now is the world of the ELCA. In 2009 when the ELCA decided to endorse homosexual behavior, the agreement was that both conservative and liberal views of homosexuality were to be honored in the ELCA. In reality, only the liberal view on homosexuality is allowed in the ELCA's national magazine.

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

(See Living Lutheran magazine ad above and here on page 23.)

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Latest Living Lutheran magazine: Once again more pro-gay, pro-transgender items and an article poo-pooing the need to preach on Hell

10/9/2018

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(The following article was written May 9th by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and Twitter - here.)

Frequently the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America promotes the liberal view on homosexuality and transgenderism. Even though the ELCA voted in 2009 to honor both conservative and liberal viewpoints on the issue of homosexuality when it decided to ordain practicing homosexuals, Living Lutheran magazine never prints a conservative voice. In fact, when a conservative group asked to buy an advertisement in Living Lutheran to promote the conservative view, it was denied.

Long ago the one place one could find conservative viewpoints in the ELCA’s national magazine (it was called “The Lutheran” back then) was in the Letters to the Editor section. Today that section is more like a liberal love fest of how wonderful the articles are. I’m not sure if it is the fact that so many conservatives have left the ELCA that no one writes a contrary word, or if the editorial staff chooses to print only like-minded letters. Here’s a reader who was thrilled with last month’s pro-transgender article:

“It was enlightening and important to read…what
transgender AND Christian means... And, if we believe
when baptized we become his children, then we have
to believe transgender individuals belong to Jesus
through their baptism also…”

No. The Apostle Paul taught in Romans 6:1-13 that we are not to use our baptism as an excuse to sin. Baptism does not move us to practice "grace abuse" but to die to sin and live to God. Hitler and Stalin were baptized. Baptism will not save those who reject Christ and live in impenitent sin (I Corinthians 6:9-11).

Then Living Lutheran has an article in which a lesbian is interviewed about her work in helping Lutheran congregations accept the LGBTQ movement. Again, it is all from the liberal point of view without a hint of doing what professional journalists do: giving the other side

Another article by an ELCA pastor seems to poo-poo the need to preach about Hell.

All in all, another heretical issue of the ELCA's national magazine. And another reason to leave the ELCA for a more Biblical denomination.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

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Lutheran Magazine Report: ELCA Teen Gathering Helped Youth Affirm LGBTQ Movement

9/21/2018

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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.)

The latest issue of “Living Lutheran”, the official magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has a glowing report on this summer’s gathering of 31,000 Lutheran teenagers. At this gathering, speakers affirmed homosexuality and transgenderism. “After the Gathering, (teenager) Alicia has a firm stance on LGBTQ issues…(She said) ”God is for everyone. Now I can finally say this is what I believe in and this is what my church believes in…” (see here)

How sad that when you send a Lutheran teenager to the ELCA’s national teen gathering, they come back knowing they are now pro-gay and pro-transgender and that this is the stance of their denomination. The Bible is clear that homosexual behavior is sin (Romans 1:24-27, I Corinthians 6:9-11) and Jesus taught that God made us “male and female”, not transgender (Matthew 19:4-6). This has been the belief of virtually all Christians for 2,000 years with the exception of the last forty years as some Protestant denominations have been overtaken by liberalism.

As the ELCA continues to corrupt teenagers and drift from God’s Word, I believe its numbers will continue to shrink at the alarming rate that has occurred since 2009 when the ELCA decided to allow its pastors to be practicing homosexuals.

In Christ our Lord,

Pastor Tom Brock

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Warped ELCA Reading of Scripture

9/16/2018

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An article by an ELCA seminary professor titled “Bearing witness through community organizing” was printed and hosted on the ELCA’s Living Lutheran magazine and website. The article is another example of heresy being taught, allowed and disseminated by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The author of the article writes:

“Jesus emerged initially in his own Galilean community as a prophet concerned with the renewal of village life…For a variety of reasons we have come to interpret the story of Jesus through an individualistic lens as the saving of souls and deliverance from personal sin. But throughout Scripture salvation refers to rescue from present danger or liberation from oppression, and the language of sin in many instances refers to structural evil.
The numerous healings and exorcisms show Jesus restoring bodies and minds suffering the effects of colonization. Although the exorcisms are performed on individuals, they were symptomatic of internalized oppression that was the consequence of the domination and control of social and political space.” (read here)

This is a warped and deceitful understanding of Christ and his mission on Earth. God’s Word explains why Jesus came here.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost” (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV).

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10, ESV).

“And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners’” (Mark 2:17, ESV).

"’ . . . even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many’” (Matthew 20:28, ESV).

“’I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness’” (John 12:46, ESV).

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4-5, ESV).

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Naming God in the ELCA

8/19/2018

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Some ELCA pastors go out of their way to avoid using male pronouns and words for God. Some decide they will address God using female pronouns and words:

ELCA Bishop Guy Erwin tweets this:

In an article in the ELCA's Living Lutheran magazine titled, "God or mother? Both"
we read, “The metaphor of God the Father is not enough for me now. I now see God as the Mother.” (see here and see the end of this article for a response from Rev. Tom Brock)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America seminary, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, posted an article that says this, “So we decided to appeal directly to the Holy Spirit and the power of God and wait to see what She did.” (see here)

A God who is known by her handiwork… her creative genius… her wisdom and skill that gave birth to a complex and... https://t.co/PHxElKU2c0
— First Lutheran, Lynn (@flclynnma) May 26, 2016

The above tweet by First Lutheran in Lynn, Massachusetts, posts a quote from their pastor Pr. Jon Niketh's sermon (at the 7 minute mark):

“A God who is known by her handiwork… her creative genius… her wisdom and skill that gave birth to a complex and beautiful universe..." (see here)

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ELCA Lutheran Obsession with Advocating for the LGBT Movement....Five Articles in One Month Promoting Transgenderism and Homosexuality

8/2/2018

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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.)

If you go to the Advocacy Facebook page of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America you will see how obsessed the ELCA has become with the LGBTQIA+ movement. Within one month five different LGBT Lutheran leaders have been highlighted in articles like the below of a transgender clergy candidate. Of course, not one article features someone who upholds the traditional, Biblical viewpoint on these issues. In 2009 when the ELCA voted to ordain practicing homosexuals it was agreed that all views on homosexuality would be respected in the ELCA, but they are not. No view but the liberal one is mentioned anymore. One by One Ministry, a conservative group which helps people out of homosexuality and of which I am a part, inquired about buying an ad in Living Lutheran but was refused.

The rest of the ELCA Advocacy Facebook page is devoted to article after article on liberal politics. Sadly, preaching Christ for the salvation of the lost is conspicuously absent.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

https://www.facebook.com/elcaadvocacy/photos/a.10150091631749513.272721.132358089512/10156416380554513/?type=3

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Time For A Mass Exodus From the ELCA

7/22/2018

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What will cause the naive, the scared, the delusional or those in denial to finally leave the ELCA and stand up for God and His Word, which the ELCA has been demonically trying to destroy? What is the final straw that will break the camel's back?

I believe, for many, it will be the ELCA's words and decisions at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering that will cause Bible-believing ELCA members, churches and pastors to finally leave. (Please read about the speakers and what happened at the youth gathering here, here, here, here, here, here and here)

Content ranged from foul-hearted keynote speakers placed in front of the teenagers, to extremely liberal messages delivered, to transgenderism lifted up, to far-left social causes presented, and pro-LGBT mantras being communicated.

The Director and President of Lutheran CORE, Pr. Dennis D. Nelson, wrote this following the ELCA Youth Gathering, "The ELCA is guilty of a massive breach of trust. The ELCA cannot be trusted. We realize that those are very strong statements, but they are confirmed by the presentation given by one of the keynote speakers at the recent ELCA Youth Gathering." (see page one of his article here)

Generations Radio presented a program called "The ELCA Lutheran Church Dies" that was centered on the actions of the ELCA at the 2018 Youth Gathering. (listen here)

And Ken Ham, founder of Answers in Genesis, the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter, shared an article from Exposing the ELCA about the ELCA Youth Gathering with his hundreds of thousands of followers on Facebook:

I have heard of people leaving their ELCA churches because of what happened at the ELCA Youth Gathering. So will this be a wake-up call for a great exodus of churches and members from the ELCA? Will the evil and false teachings displayed and given to the most vulnerable ELCA membership, the youth, be enough for places such as Lutheran Church of Hope and its satellite ELCA locations in the Des Moines, Iowa area, Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and similar churches throughout the United States to finally stand up for God's Word, for Truth, and break ties to this faith-destroying denomination?

I pray so. But shame on them if they remain.

Here are some additional examples of what was said and the happenings at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering, to go along with the many articles Exposing the ELCA has already written. These come from the ELCA, ELCA pastors and those attending (again, please read the linked articles above to see the craziness of it all):

Tonight’s brave affirmation of transgender and queer people was made possible by God’s liberating grace—and the Lutheran LGBTQ+ leaders over the last 40+ years. Thanks be to God, @ReconcilingWrks & @ExtraLuthMin #ELCAYG2018
— Michael Wilker (@RevWilker) July 1, 2018

Grace means I’ll be seated at the heavenly banquet between Harvey Weinstein and some racist cop. #elcayg2018
— ELCA Youth Gathering (@elcagathering) June 30, 2018

Tonight, 30,000 Christians that have been worshipping together, gave standing ovations for an 11yo transgender girl and a bisexual woman who has dedicated her life to fighting food insecurity. If that isn’t a great way to end Pride Month then I don’t know what is! □ #ELCAYG2018
— Bails (@BaileyCarroll16) July 1, 2018

The ELCA magazine, Living Lutheran reports, “Last week at the ELCA Youth Gathering, many leaders spoke boldly about family separation and detention. In the AMMPARO/Lutheran Disaster Response space at the Gathering’s interactive center, youth were invited to sign advocacy cards, which will be sent to their representatives.” (See here)

Below are some more notable Youth Gathering social media posts. Notice, the gay affirming rainbow colors were prevalent at the ELCA youth event.

You can be part of the Women of the ELCA exhibit at the ELCA Youth Gathering June 27-July 1. Give now. Find out how at https://t.co/Cybxf989JZ. pic.twitter.com/zS36P9cs11
— Women of the ELCA (@WomenoftheELCA) May 30, 2018

And here is an example of the type of pastors the ELCA is ordaining. Rev. Chesnut is talking about ELCA Pastor Tuhina Verma Rasche, his co-author of a vile "devotional," who was a keynote speaker at the 2018 ELCA Youth Gathering.

And she didn’t say #FuckThisShit on the stage like all those cowards who railed to others about her assumed she would.

No shit, dumbasses — it’s called context. And knowing it.
— Jason Chesnut-no-t-in-the-middle (@crazypastor) June 28, 2018

And here the ELCA Youth Gathering is lifting up Ramadan, a celebration of the "first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad." This, of course, is not an event that Christians should be celebration or lifting-up.

Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim siblings. #Ramadan2018 #RamadanMubarak
— ELCA Youth Gathering (@elcagathering) May 15, 2018

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Latest Living Lutheran magazine: Prayer can include coloring mandalas…and how to be a gay-friendly church

6/11/2018

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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.)

The most recent edition of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has an article about “Seeking the Spirit Within”. It states “Prayer can include coloring mandalas, using beads, meditating over a piece of Scripture, walking a labyrinth or repeating a name or phrase.” A mandala is a ritual symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism, representing the universe, which is used for the purpose of meditation and trance induction. So why is the ELCA promoting this? Repeating a name or phrase over and over is also part of Buddhist meditation (think “Om”), but where does Jesus ever teach us to say a word over and over in order to meditate?

This is called syncretism, taking non-Christian practices and beliefs and mixing them together with Christianity. It is what got the ancient Jews in trouble when they tried to mix Baal worship with the worship of Jehovah. The ELCA needs to remember the words of the First Commandment regarding syncretism: Thou shalt have no other gods.

June is gay pride month and Living Lutheran devotes a whole article to ways your church can be gay-friendly. Don’t talk in Sunday school materials about mom and dad since we need to “remember your same-gendered-married couples.” Get a gender-neutral bathroom in your church. Celebrate gender identity and transition (changing one's sex) in your fellow Christians. Don’t say Christian “brothers and sisters” since this excludes non-binary and transgender people.

It appears the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has swallowed the GLBT agenda whole. Living Lutheran no longer allows the conservative view on homosexuality to be even heard.

Sincerely in Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

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Pro-transgender advice from ELCA Lutheran magazine

6/7/2018

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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.)

Pro-transgender advice from ELCA Lutheran magazine: Say "siblings in Christ, instead of brothers and sisters in Christ; parents and guardians, instead of mom and dad; and all genders, instead of both genders"

These pro-transgender articles from Living Lutheran keep coming, without a hint that there is another side to the issue, namely, that rejecting one's appointed sex is a rejection of God's plan for one's life. No one is ever allowed to say that in this official magazine of the liberal Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The church I attended as a teenager in Omaha used to support the camp referred to below. My old pastors would weep to see what the ELCA has become.

In Christ,

Pastor Tom Brock

(See article here)

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ELCA Magazine Highlights Lutheran Pastor Who Has Changed From Female to Male—With Her Bishop’s Approval

4/13/2018

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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.)

In yet another article affirming transgenderism, the April edition of Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, tells the story of Pastor Rose who has become Pastor Peter in a “renaming ceremony to reflect his transition from female to male.”

The article states: “He (my note: the article calls this woman “he” throughout the article) had openly self-identified as queer for many years…the congregation was fully accepting, which, given its reputation as a radically welcoming place, didn’t surprise him.”

Did the ELCA bishop do anything to discipline this pastor and congregation? No, quite the contrary, the ELCA bishop of New Jersey was present at the re-naming ceremony and called the pastor a “faithful, joyful servant of Christ”. According to the article, the bishop “believes the renaming ceremony was important for the church and for her to be part of it. “I felt it was appropriate and important for me to stand with Pastor Beeson and the people of St. Matthew Trinity. We have been providing education and events for congregations to learn about becoming safer and more welcoming places for LGBTQ youth. Standing with this congregation and their pastor seemed a logical way to demonstrate what we have been teaching.”” (NOTE: Head bishop of the ELCA Elizabeth Eaton has also taken a stand for transgenderism telling a Chicago newspaper “When we take a look a people’s sexual orientation or gender identity, it’s not completely binary. Everybody isn’t male or everybody isn’t female. There’s a whole spectrum to that. I think that’s something that’s new for a lot of our people to think about, but it’s the truth…”)

The article concludes: “Beeson…isn’t that different from other ELCA pastors, ministering out in the world…at a congregation that he said is dominated by a “deep commitment to God’s grace.”

Here again we see God’s grace being used as an excuse to sin. I couldn’t help but think of the warning of Jude 4 regarding “certain persons (who) have crept in unnoticed…ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.” And also Romans 6:1 “What shall we say then? Are we to continue to sin that grace might increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?”

May the Lord have mercy on this confused and rebellious denomination that is encouraging people to live in sin,

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

--

(Here is the referenced article in the ELCA's Living Lutheran.)

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ELCA National Magazine Promotes Transgenderism (Again)

4/5/2018

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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.)

The national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in recent years has printed glowing articles about homosexual and transgender pastors. Here is yet another promotion of transgenderism, the boldest yet. Will they ever print an objective article allowing both sides of the issue to be heard?

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock

Both/and
An interview with 'Transforming' author Austen Hartke
https://www.livinglutheran.org/2018/02/hartke/

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ELCA national magazine: Offering tobacco and food to ancestors, Mother God and embracing a Native American creation story

3/29/2018

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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.)

This month's Living Lutheran, the national magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, highlights women in ministry. One such person is Prairie Rose Seminole, American Indian Alaska Native program director for the ELCA. She writes: "...As the sun rises, I also rise. I put out water, tobacco or food for my ancestors. I offer gratitude...for being able to witness to that which moves all things--God, Great Mystery, Chief Who Sits Above, Mother, Creator, the blood in my veins, the hurricane crashing to shore, earth moving--that power of which we are all a part...I come from the Sahnish/Arikiara tribe...Our creation story is different from what is in the Bible. Is it our place to say that is wrong? No....My faith is influenced by millennia upon millennia of indigenous roots in this land, 2,000 years of Christianity, 500 years of the Lutheran church, and more than 500 years of genocide and policies to wipe out the first people of our country."

Sadly, what we have here is a program director for the ELCA who is trying to combine pagan, non-Christian religion with Christianity. Pantheism teaches that God is everything and everything is God (the mountains, the hurricanes, everything is God). But Christians reject pantheism and teach that God is separate from His creation, God is the Creator, not the created. Christians believe in God the Father, nowhere did Jesus teach us to pray to God as "Mother." And the Biblical account of creation is the one Christians believe, not stories from other religions.

I am German. My ancestors worshiped Thor and Odin. I am not at all offended that I cannot worship these old gods along with the Holy Trinity, neither do I want to. We are all called upon, regardless of our heritage, to reject the false gods of our ancestors and worship the Trinity alone. Sadly, this article from the national magazine of the ELCA appears to teach otherwise.

In Jesus the only Savior,

Pastor Tom Brock
pastorsstudy.org

(Read the Living Lutheran article here.)

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ELCA Publication Says “You can’t grow up white in the United States and not be racist”

2/14/2018

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Racism is defined as “Prejudice, discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a different race based on the belief that one's own race is superior.” (See here)

There is racism in this sinful world, and it is against God’s will. I pray for an end to all racism. True racism. And when Christ returns we will see an end to all sin.

With that said, the ELCA has made some claims about white people and racism that are highly questionable. It could be argued that the ELCA's statement itself is racist.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s (ELCA) Living Lutheran magazine recently ran an article with this claim,

“You can’t grow up white in the United States and not be racist.” (see here)

I’m sure many ELCA church members would be shocked that their denomination is calling them racists. (96% of all ELCA members are white.) It is irresponsible of the ELCA to make this incredibly audacious statement. The ELCA does not know everyone’s thoughts, actions, beliefs, life stories and feelings.

If the ELCA wants to claim that all people of the world are racist, that is one thing. But to single out all white people in the United States as being racists is false and dishonest.

This must be a popular notion with ELCA leaders because here we have an ELCA seminary president saying something very similar:

“In particular, I am writing this mainly to white people like me at our seminary. I am convinced that we are in denial about the racism that saturates our society and from which we directly benefit. That denial produces predictable twin reactions from white people: either silence about the racism that plainly reinforces our way of living or surprise at the frustration and outrage African Americans and others express at how they are treated. I believe this denial, with its attendant silence and surprise, is nothing other than a refusal to acknowledge the privilege we hold and the degradation it inflicts on others. If we as white people have any conscience left, if we at this moment feel any distress at all with recent events, then we should at least have the moral courage in a seminary to admit that how we live is destructive for other people and ultimately unsustainable for ourselves. As white people, we must acknowledge our racism.” - The ELCA's Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago President James Nieman (see here)

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ELCA Head Bishop Avoids "He" for God

2/1/2018

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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.)

In the current February edition of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's national magazine, Elizabeth Eaton, ELCA head bishop, wrote this in her monthly column:

"The history of salvation is one extended love story between God and God's creation, between God and human kind, between God and God's people".

Notice the tortured English in order to avoid calling God "He". It reminded me of the transgender pastor who recently spoke at Luther Seminary and asked the congregation to say the Lord's Prayer in a way that was comfortable for them. She then led them in praying "Our Mother in heaven..."

The Bible regularly refers to God as "He". The Bible says God is "the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ". We do not know better than Jesus, who taught us to pray "Our Father...."

In Jesus our Savior,

Pastor Tom

(see Presiding Bishop Eaton's column here)

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Dan Skogen

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