“On Saturday, thousands of women dressed up in vagina costumes and descended upon DC to demand, among other things, free birth control and abortion. They called this the "Women's March," but I think that name is a terrible insult to women. The women closest to me in my life would rather die than put on a vagina hat and march through Washington in support of the mass slaughter of children.” – Matt Walsh (read here)
And that's not all. Check out this article about one of the organizers of the gathering, Women’s March Organizer is a vicious Jew-hater with ties to Islamic Terror (see here) The ELCA had a strong presence at the Women's March. What kind of "Christian" denomination or person would take part in this kind of event? It was a pro-abortion demonstration that also embraced such things as LGBTQ rights, BlackLivesMatter, illegal immigration rights, Palestine and Muslims. And the glue that held it all together was anger against President Trump. As I reported last week Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, was in Washington, D.C. last weekend and was scheduled to take part in some Women's March activity (see here). And of course there were many social media posts by ELCA pastors and members voicing and displaying their support for the march. Here are a few of them. Most of you know the ELCA's favorite pastor and best-selling author Nadia Bolz-Weber. These two posts by Bolz-Weber show you the state of the ELCA. — Nadia Bolz-Weber (@Sarcasticluther) January 21, 2017 From ELCA Rev. Bethany C Hull Somers:
This is a picture of a sign at Luther Place, an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America church:
Here is what this ELCA seminarian shared:
ELCA Pastor Nancy Kraft marched:
ELCA pastor Priscilla Austin posted the next two social media posts:
And,
A number of ELCA congregation members from this church marched:
ELCA Rev. Carmine A. Pernini, Zion Lutheran Church, Rahway NJ marched in the march: ELCA Pastor Kathryn Irwin of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Nutley, New Jersey writes on her Facebook page, "Today I marched and rallied in Trenton, alongside a staggering number of New Jerseyans, and in concert with folks around the country and the world." (see here) Pastor Irwin also shared some pictures of the signs they made for the Women's March: For many of you, this is your denomination gladly partaking in this vile, hateful and evil demonstration.
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ELCA Presiding Bishop to Participate in the Pro-Abortion Women’s March on Washington Activity1/19/2017
The controversial Women’s March on Washington will take place this weekend, January 21, 2017, one day after the Inauguration of Donald Trump as President of the United States. As with so many far-left activities, you can find the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America’s heavy involvement. The ELCA’s Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Synod publicized a schedule for the week which included a number of Women’s March events along with an announcement saying, “Don’t be surprised if you see the Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, ELCA presiding bishop, downtown. She is expected to take part in an inauguration prayer service and Women’s March-related activity.” (see here)
So what is this Women’s March on Washington about? Let’s look at a few of the groups stated principles: “REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS We believe in Reproductive Freedom. We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education. LGBTQIA RIGHTS We firmly declare that LGBTQIA Rights are Human Rights and that it is our obligation to uplift, expand and protect the rights of our gay, lesbian, bi, queer, trans or gender non-conforming brothers, sisters and siblings. We must have the power to control our bodies and be free from gender norms, expectations and stereotypes. IMMIGRANT RIGHTS Rooted in the promise of America’s call for huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we believe in immigrant and refugee rights regardless of status or country of origin. We believe migration is a human right and that no human being is illegal.” (see here) Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are the only two "Premier partners" of the Women’s March on Washington. Linda Sarsour, the national co-chair of the Women's March on Washington explains that a theme of the Women’s March is “Hands off Planned Parenthood and our reproductive rights.” (see here) So check this out. The ELCA presiding bishop, an ELCA synod, at least two ELCA churches and many ELCA members are participating in Women’s March activities where one of its main themes is abortion rights. How wicked!! The highest ELCA leader is participating! And this is from a denomination that is never present at the March for Life, an annual pro-life march in Washington, D.C. Joelle Colville-Hanson, the Director of Evangelical Mission at the ELCA’s Northeastern Iowa Synod is going to the Women’s March. She tweets,
And here Pastor Colville-Hanson retweets a tweet by the President of Planned Parenthood. Earlier this week it was reported that a pro-life feminist group was kicked out of the Women’s March. A statement from the Women’s March said, “The Women’s March platform is pro-choice and that has been our stance from day one.” “We want to assure all of our partners, as well as participants, that we are pro-choice as clearly stated in our Unity Principles. We look forward to marching on behalf of individuals who share the view that women deserve the right to make their own reproductive decisions.” (read here) Cecile Richards, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America president said her organization became involved with the Women's March because the march will “send a strong message to the incoming administration that millions of people across this country are prepared to fight attacks on reproductive healthcare, abortion services and access to Planned Parenthood.” (see here) As I mentioned above, Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice America are premier partners of the event. Other partners include: #VOTEPROCHOICE, FREE THE NIPPLE, GLAAD, GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD), American Atheists, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Southern Poverty Law Center, Students for Choice, Catholics for Choice, The Center For Reproductive Rights, URGE: Unite for Reproductive & Gender Equity, CODEPINK, Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), National Center for Lesbian Rights and National Organization for Women (NOW). (see here) Popular Christian blogger Matt Walsh writes, “The march will be explicitly pro-abortion, anti-family, anti-Christian, etc. To march along side them is to implicitly endorse the ideas that the march was organized to promote. And those ideas are almost entirely vile and reprehensible.” (see here) And there you have the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Standing up for the killing of unborn children. How any pro-life pastor can stay in the ELCA is beyond me. In a recent letter by Elizabeth Eaton, the Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the ELCA continued its anti-Semitic crusade by requesting President Obama allow for the “Palestinian State” to become a Full Member of the United Nations. (see here) Presiding Bishop Eaton writes, “I request that the U.S. further demonstrate its support for self-determination and freedom by allowing the State of Palestine’s application for full membership in the United Nations to proceed before you conclude your term of office… it is reasonable that the Palestinians and others are turning to the international forum of the UN to realize the goal of an independent Palestinian state.” This lobbying effort by Bishop Eaton seeks to reward the Palestinians who continue their terrorist attacks on Israelis; the Palestinians have shot 20,000 rockets at the Israeli population and refuse to meet and fairly negotiate with Israel. Joseph Puder of FrontPage Mag writes, “receiving UNSC recognition will enable (the Palestinian Authority President) to demand that the UNSC set a deadline for Israel’s withdrawal to the 1967 line. At the same time, he’ll avoid having to negotiate peace with Israel, or make any concessions to the Jewish state.” The U.S State Department responded to previous attempts by the Palestinians to become full members in the U.N. saying Palestinian Statehood “can only come through a negotiated outcome, a resolution of final status issues and mutual recognition by both parties. I don’t think that we’ve seen evidence that they’re willing and able to either at this point in time.” (see here) Consider this, in 2016 alone, the United Nations General Assembly passed 20 resolutions against Israel and just 4 against all other countries. How is this happening except for a demonic effort against a population that God calls His chosen people? (see here) The ELCA’s call to allow Palestinian full-membership in the U.N. is one of many measures President Obama may yet take. Last week the President of the United States worked for and allowed a harmful anti-Jew resolution to pass in the U.N. Security Council. Here are a number of excellent videos and articles about the situation. The Prime Minister of Israel’s response to the recent U.N. vote: - Israel plans to defy United Nations resolution after Obama admin. abandoned its ally (see here) - Obama's Betrayal of Israel Is a Black Day for American Diplomacy (see here) - Obama's Disgraceful and Harmful Legacy on Israel (see here) - Ted Cruz backs DEFUNDING U.N. in SCATHING statement against Obama’s betrayal of Israel (see here) - Dutch leader tells Israel to 'ignore UN and continue building' (see here) - All bets are off after UN infamy (see here) - Dershowitz: Trump was right to try to stop Obama (see here) - UN Special Envoy Recommends UN Be Dissolved in Response to Recent Vote Against Israel (see here) - Roseanne Barr: Obama’s Anti-Israel UN Action Like ‘Nazis Who Enacted Anti-Jewish Laws on the Eve of Jewish Holidays’ (see here)
The ELCA finally did it. Applauded by many ELCA leaders, an action that cements their defiance of the Great “I Am,” the God of the Universe, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has written official marriage tools for gay weddings in the ELCA. The resource even claims that "God joins this celebration." More on that later.
The ELCA posted the resources a few days ago calling it “Supplemental Resources for use within the Evangelical Lutheran Worship Service of Marriage.” (see here) The ELCA News Service made the announcement saying, "The liturgical resources were developed based on action by the ELCA Church Council to implement recommendations from the 'Ministry to and with Same-gender Couples and Their Families' working group." ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth A. Eaton comments, "This is work that the church asked us to do. These are faithful and sensitive supplemental resources which can be used by all couples." (see here) Rev. Kevin L. Strickland, the ELCA director for worship formation and liturgical resources, is quoted in the same ELCA news announcement saying, “These supplemental resources have been created to offer more inclusivity in language, pastoral care, and openness for all persons who seek to be married within this church,” And, “It has been said that marriage is a gift of God, intended for the joy and strength of those who enter it and for the well-being of the whole human family…It is my hope that these supplemental resources help point us as a church, in offering this gift for the whole human family.”
Notice how the ELCA goes to great pains to minimize the fact that this is for same-sex marriages: "For all persons" and "can be used by all couples." Even in the content of the materials you can not find words like homosexual, same-sex and gay, but it was written in response to "the church" wanting a resource for gay weddings.
Here are some specific quotes from the resource that signify its real purpose:
What is even more distressing is how the ELCA "speaks" for God in this same gender wedding resource. It says God celebrates gay marriages, how their marriage is a gift that points to Him and how they are married in God's sight. See below: “God intends the gift of their marriage to be a source of comfort and joy for them, and a blessing to all whom they encounter. Their promises bear witness to God’s faithfulness. Their love and care for one another, though human, finite, and flawed, reflect God’s enduring mercy and steadfast love. They love because God first loved them.” Page 2. “Your marriage brings you joy and serves the community by witnessing to Christ, as you daily die to self-centeredness and rise to self-giving love. God joins this celebration, pouring out the Holy Spirit to bless your marriage with forgiveness, courage, and compassion. The community joins God in rejoicing with you and in promising to surround your marriage with joy and loving support.” Page 3 “The uniting of these two persons in heart, body, and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort they give one another in prosperity and adversity, and that their love may be a blessing to all whom they encounter.” Page 3 “Acclamation A The presiding minister addresses the assembly. Name and name, by their promises before this assembly, have joined themselves to one another and are married in the sight of God. Those whom God has joined together let no one separate.” Page 8 And to no one's surprise, the ELCA can not help themselves but call God "mother." “Blessed are you, O God, mother of life.” Page 8 (see here) The Bible makes it clear that God does not celebrate homosexual activities; He calls it sin. By saying that God approves of same-sex marriages, the ELCA has shown themselves to be a false teaching cult. Warn as many people as you can and get out quickly.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has long been an enemy of the Jewish State. (see here) Earlier this week, at the ELCA’s Churchwide Assembly, the ELCA voted in favor of a resolution that calls on the United States government to end all aid to Israel until a list of ELCA demands are met. (Note that they did NOT call for the stoppage of U.S. aid to “Palestine” which takes foreign aid money {see here}, intended for humanitarian causes, and uses them for weapons, military terror tunnels, etc., in their quest to kill Jewish men, women and children.)
The ELCA Twitter page announced:
Here is the list of demands the ELCA has for Israel, whereby they say aid from the United States to Israel may be reinstated:
“…To urge this church’s members, congregations, synods agencies and presiding bishop to call on their U.S. Representatives, Senators and the Administration to take action requiring that, to continue receiving U.S. financial and military aid, Israel must comply with internationally recognized human rights standards as specified in existing U.S. law, stop settlement building and the expansion of existing settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, end its occupation of Palestinian territory, and enable an independent Palestinian state;" The ELCA also wants: "To encourage this church’s members, congregations, synods, and agencies to call on the U.S. President to recognize the State of Palestine and not prevent the application of the State of Palestine for full membership in the United Nations.” (see here, page 100) Then yesterday the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America voted in favor (over 90%) of another resolution aimed at hurting Israel called “Justice for the Holy Land through Responsible Investment.” This resolution will be used by the ELCA to divest from Israel and select companies that do business with Israel. Their "recommendation" is astounding: “Recommendation for Assembly Action” “To reaffirm the actions of the 2005, 2007, 2011 and 2013 Churchwide Assemblies regarding responsible investment in Israel-Palestine; To direct the ELCA’s Corporate Social Responsibility review team to develop a human rights social criteria investment screen based on the social teachings of this church and, in the case of Israel and Palestine, specifically based on the concerns raised in the ELCA Middle East Strategy; To encourage ELCA members, congregations, synods, agencies and institutions to increase positive investment in Palestine and other under-resourced areas where human rights abuses materially impact the well-being of all people; and To encourage ELCA members, congregations, synods, agencies and institutions to engage in shareholder advocacy in support of human rights, exercising the right of a shareholder to submit resolutions at a corporation’s annual meeting.” (see here, page 105) When the ELCA says “Investment screen” what they mean is “divestment” from Israel. The BDS haters (the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel) are applauding this move. The ELCA already has a boycott policy, as detailed by ELCA’s leader Elizabeth Eaton, who said, “We also engage in selective purchasing. So we not only try to trade with the Palestinian Authority, but we do not purchase products made in the illegal Israeli settlements.” (see here) The ELCA is a stooge of Hamas and Jew-hating parties. The ELCA makes declarations aimed at hurting Israel for the “imaginary” speck but is complicit in their silence of the huge log of evil and atrocities perpetrated by the “Palestinians.” That is anti-Semitic. In a time where anti-Semitism is even occurring at the Olympic games (see here) we have a supposed-Christian denomination seeking to harm Jews on trumped up charges. Israel is surround by countries with horrific human rights violations and by “Palestinians” who kill and celebrate the killing of Israeli children. And the ELCA demonizes Israel and wants land won by Israel, in defensive wars, to be given to those who will do everything possible to destroy the Jewish state? The ELCA has taken a stand with Satan. It is time for Bible-believing Christians to get out of this demonically-inspired denomination.
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Last Sunday a Muslim terrorist killed more than four dozen innocent people in Orlando, Florida and injured 54 others. Rightfully, many ELCA leaders respond to the attack with sorrow and prayers, but some of what they said should infuriate you. ELCA pastor Heidi Neumark writes the following:
Pastor Tom Brock (of pastorsstudy.org) shared his thoughts on pastor Neumark’s comments saying, “If I understand her right, this ELCA Lutheran pastor is saying that we better say homosexual behavior is OK, or you are helping murder people. The opposite is true. By telling people homosexual behavior is OK, we are helping them go to a tragic eternity (I Corinthians 6:9-11).”
ELCA pastor Ángel Marrero blames Christians and Jews in an article he wrote for the Huffington Post saying, “this isn’t simply ‘extremist Islam’, as some would like to paint it. This comes out of centuries of many religious traditions systematically demonizing and dehumanizing LGBTQ individuals. This hatred isn’t out of nowhere. It is in parts of Islam, yes, but it is within parts of Christianity and Judaism, as well. Facing such a reality, I feel I must apologize for the complicity and silence of the Church. I am sorry for the pain our sinful indifference and self-righteousness has caused, and continues to cause, throughout the world." (see here) Bishop Jim Hazelwood of the ELCA's New England Synod wrote a letter in response to the massacre going into great detail of his desire for gun control. He also writes about his concern for "our Muslim brothers and sisters." (see here) He then jumps the shark with this accusation:
Much like the liberal media many ELCA leaders are: 1. calling for stricter gun control in America and 2. can't seem to understand the connection almost all the terrorism happening in the world has with the religion of Islam. Bishop David B. Zellmer of the ELCA's South Dakota Synod said, “There is no place among us for words and actions that disparage the Islamic faith…This act of terror and actions like it are carried out by people who have taken a world religion and perverted it to their own evil purposes – not unlike others have done with Christianity in past centuries.” (see here) Bishop Robert G. Schaefer of the ELCA's Florida-Bahamas Synod writes, “There are deeper issues here. Church, it’s time to be clear about honoring and speaking up for...reasonable gun control in this country.” (see here) The ELCA's Southwest California Synod sent out an email saying, "I would also invite you to rechannel whatever anger and frustration you might be feeling into positive action. Such violence effects everyone, and motivations include terrorism, hatred of various groups, and mental health issues, all of which are often interrelated. But along with our task force, I am devoted to putting a stop to this carnage by the advocacy of stricter, common sense gun laws. If you feel called to share in this endeavor, we recommend that you get involved with a movement (such as Everytown for Gun Safety, Women Against Gun Violence, The Brady Campaign, or our own joint task force). Meanwhile, know that the SWCA Synod Gun Violence Prevention Task Force will be reconvening this week with a renewed commitment to end the kind of tragedy we saw in Orlando so that we all might live in safety and in peace." (see here) Presiding Bishop of the ELCA, Elizabeth A. Eaton tweeted this:
ELCA Bishop Timothy Smith of the North Carolina Synod posted this on his Facebook page (be sure to read his comments at the end): The ELCA's Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod (SEPA) shared a prayer on their Facebook page that included this: "We pray for renewed action and perseverance in reforming our American gun laws, especially the sale of automatic weapons." (see here) Dr. Samuel Torvend, Professor of Religion at the ELCA's Pacific Lutheran University writes, "The massacre of innocents in Orlando prompts us to pray for those who grieve, to resist homophobia and Islamophobia, and to work diligently for an end to the easy purchase of deadly weapons." - Quote posted on PLU's Facebook page. (see here) Bishop Patricia Lull of the ELCA's Saint Paul Area Synod comments "I invite your prayers for the family and friends of those killed or injured, for the Muslim community, which repudiates this act of hatred and violence, and for all who work to curtail gun violence. We also pray for colleagues in the Florida-Bahamas Synod, ELCA, who are offering pastoral care to those involved in this tragedy. (see here) My, my. The opportunists are out in full force.
A few weeks ago many Evangelical Lutheran Church in America leaders amassed at the United States and Mexico border. It was a planned attempt to garner attention. Photos were taken (mostly by ELCA people) and posted on social media by ELCA leaders and synods. Even a video surfaced of a prayer said by the wall by the ELCA's Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton where she called Jesus a refugee (a couple times) and then said,
"Bless...all that we do. That we might be a symbol of hope and hopefully of reconciliation, the tearing down of walls. We ask in Your name, Amen.” (see video below) So while standing by the border wall/fence the ELCA leader references the "tearing down of walls?" I do not believe this was just a poor choice of words by the Presiding Bishop Eaton. It was a calculated phrase, a political call to remove the wall that stops illegal immigrants free access to come into our country unchecked. How do I know this? Because the ELCA has been against the US border wall all along. (see here) What an unsafe, extreme position for a denomination to take, being against the securing of our country's borders. On a related note, the ELCA has an advocacy page name "Peace Not Walls" that refers to the protection wall built by Israel. And in 2005 the ELCA passed a resolution calling for it to be removed. (see here) Prayer for Refugees at the Mexican-U.S. Border, January 2016 (The following two articles were written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)
Still waiting for one ELCA prayer for the lost The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's weekly "Prayers of the Church" printed in the bulletin are less than evangelistic. Prayers are regularly made for the environment, but I am still waiting for one prayer asking God to "save the lost" or "bring unbelievers to Christ". Instead, this Sunday we prayed: "... For coastlands and mountains, rivers and deserts, prairies and valleys; for wilderness and cities, lakes and oceans; for farmlands and pastures, forests and rangelands; and for orchards, vineyards, and gardens. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer." There was a prayer for the Church, pastors, bishops, teachers and missionaries, but that is as close as we get to pleading for God to bring people to Christ. Wouldn't a prayer like the following be great? "Lord, bring Muslims, Hindus, Jews, Buddhists, atheists and all kinds of people to saving faith in the Lord Jesus, and use our missionaries to save the lost." But we never hear an ELCA prayer like this. Instead, we often pray for plants. I fear part of the reason is that many in the ELCA hold to the heresy of universalism, namely, that all people will be saved, regardless of whether they believe in Christ. The number of missionaries the ELCA sends out has gone done dramatically since its founding in 1988. Head bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the ELCA was quoted to say "The work of the Church is not so much saving souls, that's God's work." It is God's work, but it is a work that Jesus has given into the hands of the Church in His last words (Matthew 28:19-20). Until the ELCA realizes that Jesus' main command is to "go ye therefore", I am afraid there will be more prayers for "lakes and oceans, vineyards and gardens." Sincerely in Christ, Pastor Tom Brock pastorsstudy.org (And) More ELCA prayers to save the planet, not the lost Again, today's prayers from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Augsburg/Fortress Press that are used in ELCA worship services had no mention of praying for the lost to be saved. Instead we asked the Lord to "preserve the whole creation so that animals, plants, and land flourish. Protect endangered species and renew polluted waterways....Lord, hear our prayer." "Endangered" grabbed my attention. Do we care that human souls are endangered with a Christ-less eternity? Or do we care more about "endangered species and polluted waterways"? Years ago, when I was still in the ELCA, some conservative pastors and I offered a resolution reaffirming the Bible's teaching that Jesus is the only way of salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). It lost. But a statement warning church coffee drinkers about the dangers of the non-biodegradable styrofoam cup was received warmly. I got to the microphone and pointed out that if we cared half as much about the dangers of Hell as we do about the dangers of styrofoam cup, there might be hope for the ELCA. That was years ago. The number of ELCA missionaries has gone down dramatically since. In Christ, Pastor Tom Brock pastorsstudy.org (The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)
Elizabeth Eaton, head bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, has written a letter to Muslim Americans standing in solidarity with them, sorrowing for any discrimination they might be experiencing. Much of the letter we can agree with. However, there's not a hint that she hopes Muslims will come to saving faith in Christ. There is not a mention in the letter of sorrowing for what radical Islam has done in America and overseas with shootings and beheadings. You can read the story at ELCA.org under "news releases". In this great season of Christmas, may we be very verbal that we want to see all people of all religions come to repentance and saving faith in Jesus our Lord. In Him, Pastor Tom Brock Pastorsstudy.org The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) is on a mission. The mission? Bring the refugees who are in Europe, originally from the Middle East and North Africa, to the United States. How many? As many as they possibly can.
The ELCA dismisses the danger of doing this, despite the fact that at least one refugee participated in the recent terrorist attack in Paris. They say God would want us to take in the refugees. Yet they would never recommend sending troops into Syria to help the thousands upon thousands of people still there--being enslaved, raped and slaughtered. I guess God (of their making) doesn't care as much for those who are in Syria, living under constant danger, oppression and persecution. They talk as if Christians are obligated to relocate the refugees to America. But helping the poor can come in many forms. Moving refugees to America is not the only option. The Good Samaritan did not bring the poor, injured man to his home. He paid for his care and housing elsewhere. And it was good. They say we need to bring the refugees here, but they don’t tell you that these refugees are living safely in Europe and are in no danger. The ELCA says the refugees will be thoroughly vetted, but we all know that that is nearly impossible. And many national security experts have agreed. The ELCA bishop even says that most of the refugees will be women and children, but 70% of the refugees are healthy young men who are capable of fighting for their homeland. Very few are women and children. Let’s think about this for a minute. Besides the danger that some refugees will no doubt have an allegiance to radical Islam and a desire to kill as many Americans as they can, what about the Muslim refugees who are not terrorists but want Muslim law to rule the land in which they reside? (You know, cutting off the hand of thieves, women must be covered and killing homosexuals.) What about the way most Muslims view and treat women, like possessions, pieces of property with no rights? What about the Muslim view that Islam is superior to all other religions and that Muslims must hold power over others of differing religions for the sake of their god? What about the hatred of Jews, honor killings, female genital mutilation, molestation of young girls and boys that is rampant in the countries from where the refugees come? The ELCA wants to bring this to our country? Maybe the United States, who already takes in 20% of the world’s immigrants (stat from this article) can help the refugees by giving food, clothing and financial help as they make a new life in the European country in which they now reside, safe and sound. That sounds like a loving and WISE response to the refugee situation. Here are quotes from the ELCA leadership pressing for the settlement of the refugees in the United States:
(The following article was written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)
The Toledo Blade newspaper wrote an article about Elizabeth Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. (see here) To quote the article: "The work of the Church, Bishop Eaton said, is not so much saving souls. 'That's God's work, and if God loves God's creation, you're part of God's creation; you're going to be loved.' But there is work to do with others, missional work." Two things strike me. First, the Bible teaches the Church is ALL about saving souls. Yes, God alone can ultimately convert anyone, but He has given that saving work into the hands of the Church. Jesus’ last words on earth were “Go ye therefore and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). The Apostle Paul wrote “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (I Corinthians 9:22). The Apostle Paul knew that he, and all Christians, are all about saving souls. Sadly, when we read the news coming out of the ELCA (see elca.org news items), it seems ELCA leadership is often speaking out on climate change, immigration reform, defending Muslims, Palestine, etc. Meanwhile, the number of missionaries in the ELCA has gone down dramatically. Such is the result of replacing “saving souls” with politics, however well meaning those politics might be. And sadly, when it comes to the politics of protecting the unborn, one never hears a word from an ELCA leader on issues like the horrors happening at Planned Parenthood. Just once it would be nice to read an ELCA news article that an ELCA bishop wants to see Planned Parenthood defunded, or partial birth abortion outlawed or Roe vs. Wade overturned. The second thing that struck me (see the quote in the first paragraph above) is how tortured the language is which Bishop Eaton uses to refer to God. Its all “God…God…God” in order to avoid the masculine pronoun “He” for the Almighty. This is also true in the ELCA hymnal which has de-sexed all of the Psalms to get rid of masculine references for God. May you and I be busy this day doing the work of God, HE has called us to join in HIS work of SAVING SOULS, In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock pastorsstudy.org (The following articles were written by Rev. Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. You can follow Pastor Brock on Facebook - here and twitter - here.)
Once upon a time, a Lutheran bishop would say "Of course, Holy Scripture forbids homosexual behavior and gay 'marriage'". Today Bishop Elizabeth Eaton of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America wrote this: "The ELCA social statement... neither endorses nor forbids same-gender marriages and recognizes that we have differing understandings and convictions on this matter...We seek to see our differences as a gift to be celebrated as we live out that which unites us..." Did you catch that? The fact that there are orthodox believers and also heretics in the Church who promote homosexual behavior is a "gift to be celebrated". No, it is a tragedy to be mourned. She also stated "the ELCA Ministry to and with Same-Gender Couples and their Families Working Group remains in the process of completing its work. A report of the group's findings and possible recommendations will be presented to the ELCA Church Council at its November meeting." Who is chairing this working group? George Watson, an ELCA member who is in a homosexual relationship. At a time when our nation desperately needs to see the Church stand for Biblical values, the best the ELCA can offer is: Lets all agree to disagree. In Jesus our Savior, Pastor Tom Brock pastorsstudy.org The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton, in a painfully pathetic response (that only Neville Chamberlain could appreciate) believes that talking and reasoning with ISIS is the way to stop the vile Muslim terrorist army from committing their evil atrocities and get them to lay down their arms.
The ELCA's leader was asked by a television interviewer: “Bishop Eaton, as you know you asked for a political solution in Syria. A political solution needs two parties and the two conflicted parties need to believe in a political solution. If one for example, ISIS, is killing people in Iraq, crucifying people . . . what political solution is possible between a political party and a party that uses killing as a tactic?” Here is the heart of Presiding Bishop Eaton's answer: “. . . It's not just two sides, there are many sides to all of this, and so just countering that with military force doesn't seem to be as effective as trying to get people together to have conversations together. And maybe we'll have to form unusual alliances. People who are not naturally considered to be allies. Maybe in the name of humanity and in the name of the hope that we have together in God say, we must put aside our differences, in order that, we can together come and reason with people who don't really want to have any sense of reason. But it is possible to have conversations. We use to be enemies with many people with whom now we are allies.” (see here beginning at the 26:30 min. mark) By Pastor Tom Brock of pastorsstudy.org. Facebook users can follow Pastor Brock by going here and twitter users here.
Perhaps one of the most radically left-of-center TV commentators is MSNBC's lesbian Rachel Maddow. She is ever vigilant in promoting abortion rights and homosexuality. Former Bishop Mark Hanson, who said the ELCA was publicly "repenting" of "bullying" when he helped install the ELCA's first practicing homosexual bishop Guy Irwin, spoke recently at a workshop at the ELCA's Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod. Someone asked him... his favorite TV show. He responded that one of the programs is Rachel Maddow interviews. Wow. Sadly, to my knowledge, Hanson never spoke once against abortion during his years as bishop. And it was during his years of leadership that the ELCA started to ordain active homosexual pastors. And sadly, the new head ELCA bishop Elizabeth Eaton has stated she too supports the ELCA's decision on homosexual clergy. Once again I must say: Time for everyone to leave the ELCA. And pray! Exposing the ELCA has been documenting for years the ELCA's removal of masculine words for God from their language, publications and teaching. Here are two more examples:
- From an article about ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton - "The work of the Church, Bishop Eaton said, is not so much saving souls. 'That's God's work, and if God loves God's creation, you're part of God's creation; you're going to be loved.'" - Read here. (Besides ELCA Presiding Bishop Eaton's obvious choice to not refer to God with male pronouns, I find her statement saying the ELCA is not about saving souls to be a doctrine of the devil.) - This is a comment from someone on an ELCA clergy page - “We are struggling with the lack of inclusive language for God in our anthems. Our dir of music ministry is careful not to violate copyright so does not want to change the words to better reflect a nongendered reference to God. What have you found helpful? Alt music source? Is it legal to change words intentionally? I suppose we can ask permission to swap words (not the music) to the copyright holder. We are not going to 'just do it' so i need concrete ideas please. I'm eagerly awaiting your collective wisdom. Thanks!” |
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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