It seems that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) will collaborate with anyone, as long as it works to further their political and social justice agenda.
The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) is not a Christian denomination. They describe themselves this way, "Unitarian Universalism is a caring, open-minded religion that encourages seekers to find their own spiritual path. Our faith draws on many religious sources, welcoming people with different beliefs." (see here) With that in mind, let’s look at the strong connection and relationship the ELCA has with the Unitarian Universalist Association by looking at some of the organizations and causes that the ELCA and the UUA are members of or associated with.
As you can see, the ELCA and the Unitarian Universalist Association have very similar agendas and find themselves working together on so many issues. This is not a coincidence. The ELCA has become a liberal, non-orthodox, non-traditional, non-Bible believing denomination which finds itself working and associating most often with likeminded denominations and religions. When you throw out the clear Truth of Scripture as the ELCA and UUA have done, when you cast the Great Commission out the window, you have to invest your time and energies in “works” which are elevated into the reason for the church’s existence. And when you are all about “works” it doesn’t matter who is helping you, as long as you accomplish your political and social justice driven goals. The Bible says, “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?” - 2 Corinthians 6:14-16 Some people may ask, “What fellowship can the ELCA have with Unitarian Universalists?” The real question should be, “What fellowship can Bible believing Lutheran Christians have with the ELCA?”
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(The following is written by a reader of Exposing the ELCA)
Here's an interesting tidbit, straight from the ELCA Town Hall meeting September 19: "As a Christian, I want to hear a Muslim speak of their faith, how the Qur’an shapes their faith, how they live their faith in daily life, what it’s like to worship together. And I want to share that story as a Christian. And in that exchange, we might grow to appreciate the faith of the other. Sometimes in that conversation, one may even be opened to being converted to the faith of the other. But if that doesn’t happen, we will at least begin to say: We have a common commitment to the one world in which God has placed us, to work together for justice and peace." For the full transcript, you can visit this page. But it's obvious that quote wasn't taken out of context, and it's only on page 2 and 3. Martin Luther transcribed the Quran into German because he felt that the learned Christian ought to know it so that through knowing it, he or she "might be able to heal some." But now, we have become so afraid of embracing the Word that the best the ELCA can do is say that though interfaith dialogue, a Christian or Muslim might or might not be inclined to convert to the faith of another. I think that we have to live with our neighbors of other faiths on three levels: civic, just, and evangelical. Civic in the sense that we have to figure out how to get along with neighbors, friends, family members, and coworkers who are of radically different faiths. Just in the sense that most of us can agree that things like bullying, racial slurs, world hunger, poverty, etc., ought not to be no matter what your religious/racial/sexual/national affiliation may be. And evangelical because we may be called to invite people into the Christian faith and we need to know how to do that. The ELCA has substituted evangelism with justice and called it good. August 11-14, 2010, the ELCA will be holding an event called "Sharing the Gospel in a 2.0 World."
First off, I pray the ELCA is going to be teaching attendees to tell the lost about salvation from sin and death in Christ alone. Sadly, I highly doubt that John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life) or Romans 10:9 (That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved we) will be preached. We don't hear and see that message from ELCA leadership now so why would that change? (you hear a lot about universal salvation from the the ELCA though) For those lucky few that will attend this event you get to hear about "Sharing the Gospel" from a . . . Muslim! Now isn't that special. The speaker is Eboo Patel, a member of President Obama’s Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and author of the book called "Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation." (read here) Featured speaker Patel made news on July 20, 2010 when it was reported that he had close ties with the controversial imam "who wants to build a 13-story Islamic cultural center near Ground Zero." The report also said that the "two have been documented together discussing America as 'the ideal place for a renewal of Islam.'" (read here) I highly doubt the ELCA's goal is to share with the Muslim speaker the message of salvation in Jesus. So why is he speaking at a "Sharing the Gospel . . ." gathering? Other featured speakers at the ELCA event will be the Rev. Nadia Bolz-Weber, pastor of the progressive ELCA church which boasts to be social justice oriented and queer inclusive. (read here) Michael Organ, who was Director of Internet Advertising for President Obama's presidential campaign. Note he is the second person with personal connection to the president. A Muslim and theologically liberal individuals are the ELCA's event featured speakers. Where are the orthodox, conservative, Bible believing speakers? That's right. The ELCA wants you to stay in denomination but your views will not have a place, because the ELCA is moving full steam ahead with its universal salvation, social justice and Biblical revisionism ways. We recently reported that the Southeast Michigan Synod, of the ELCA, was promoting an event held by the US Social Forum (USSF). (read here) It has been learned that this forum had the known terrorist Bill Ayers as a speaker. (read here and here)
Is the type of gathering our denomination should be promoting? I highly doubt the proclamation of the gospel was happening here. Keep an eye out for what resolutions are passed at your ELCA synod and churchwide assemblies this year. The Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly is meeting June 4 and 5, 2010, and will be voting on a resolution called "TO ENCOURAGE UNDERSTANDING OF AND ENDORSEMENT OF THE KAIROS PALESTINE DOCUMENT 2009." (see here)
The Kairos Palestine Document is a propaganda piece against the nation of Israel. "The document. . . is meant to mobilize churches worldwide in a program of boycotts, divestment and delegitimization directed at the State of Israel. It alludes explicitly to a similarly named document issued in South Africa years ago, thus deliberately comparing Israel with the regime of apartheid. It employs extreme language, such as declaring that 'the military occupation of our land is a sin against God and humanity,'" says Malcolm Lowe in his article, "The Palestinian 'Kairos' Document: A Behind-the-Scenes Analysis." Please read Malcolm Lowe's Analysis of the "Kairos" document. (see here) The ELCA Metropolitan Chicago Synod Assembly will be voting on the endorsement of this document. (will there be something similar at the churchwide Assembly?) I have a bad feeling the ELCA will be passing many of these types of resolutions in the months and years to come. The following newsletter and comments are from an Exposing the ELCA reader and pastor. The main thought that came to my mind when I read the newsletter was, "Lot about justice, little about Jesus." This is todays the ELCA.
Thank you pastor for bring this to our attention. "The May 2010 newsletter of the Southeast Michigan Synod (pdf file) is a great example of where the ELCA is (mis)leading us. The lead article by Bishop Stephen Marsh (p.1) explains the Synod's "resurrection of purpose" as "And here is what the Spirit led us to see as the purpose of the SEMI Synod: God is calling the Southeast Michigan Synod to rise up: To bear burdens; To build bridges; To break chains; To bring hope." No mention of Christ, the Gospel,repentance and forgiveness, the Word, the Great Commission, salvation, etc. Justice and social activism, that's it! But there is more: Most of page 5 of the same Synod newsletter contains a prominent ad by the US Social Forum (USSF) organization promoting a Detroit event at the end of June. The ad has a protest picture that says: "Another world is possible. Another US is necessary." And, most significantly the following inflammatory rhetoric: "The USSF will send a powerful message to people's movements around the world that there are active movements in this country that oppose US policies and are developing strategic community based alternatives to our current destructive economic systems. The USSF will gather social and economic justice organizers, environmentalists, peace & justice activists, community-based organizations, indigenous nations, unions and students to address the key issues of our time." Aren't those words frighteningly reminiscent of early 20th century Russia, China, the Black Panthers, the Weathermen, Abby Hoffman and the Chicago 8? What is something like this doing in the monthly newsletter of an ELCA Synod? How can Synod leadership reasonably accept this stuff for and promote the USSF, as appears from its inclusion in the newsletter? I guess we already know the answer! This is an insult to faithful, orthodox Lutherans who take responsible American citizenship seriously as well as to those who respect the constitutional separation of church and state. The only other question: Why aren't more ELCA pastors and lay members making more noise about this and standing up to be counted as faithful to the Word of God?" |
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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