ELCA Silence on Christian Genocide

8/14/2014

ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) has been in the news continuously over the last few weeks due to their barbaric and systematic executions of Christians. ISIS, or ISIL, has demanded that Christians convert to Islam or be killed. Christians have been shot in the head, hung, crucified and beheaded. Many Christian women have been raped and some forced to become sex slaves. There are reports that children too are being raped and beheaded. This is pure evil. It is genocide. Christians need to stand up against this evil and pray for God's deliverance of His people - and many Christian denominations and organizations have been doing just that. Meanwhile the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, which is often quick to respond to world events, still has not issued any statement condemning the actions of this Muslim terrorist group. Nothing. Just sickening silence . . . but the ELCA has issued two press releases regarding the Israeli-Gaza hostilities. (see here) I find that telling.

A couple days ago, I saw a sign at a small demonstration against ISIS stating, “There is a humanitarian crisis in Kurdistan but nobody cares because they can't blame Israel.”

If the shoe fits.

5 Comments

Didaskalos link

8/16/2014 11:30:42 am

In the confessional branches of Lutheranism, prayer and action in behalf of Christians persecuted by ISIS is of foremost importance.

"As so many have no doubt seen and heard, the ancient Christian community in that part of Iraq and Syria controlled by ISIS has been told to convert to Islam, leave, pay a massive tax that no one can come up with, or die. And from pictures that have made the rounds on Facebook, the killings have begun. This is an attack on one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world. Would you take a moment right now to join with me, my brothers and sisters in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, in a prayer to our heavenly Father on their behalf and on behalf of all throughout the world who suffer for the precious name of Jesus?

"All-merciful Father, You gave Your Son into the flesh to experience hatred and violence and to conquer them with His unfailing love. Remember in compassion Your children, our sisters and brothers in Iraq and elsewhere, who suffer now for the sake of Christ. Strengthen them for a good confession, and give them grace to entrust themselves entirely into Your loving care, knowing that You will never leave them or forsake them and that death is no match for the life that You have given in Your Son and Spirit. According to Your wisdom, bring an end to the bloodshed and violence. Open the hearts of Your people in all places to stand with these hurting members of Christ’s body and provide any earthly aid we can to them. We ask it all in the name of Him whose cross is the triumph over all hatred, violence and death and whose resurrection is our everlasting hope, even Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

With you, under the saving blood,

Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison
President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
http://www.lcms.org/president/persecution

https://www.lcms.org/givenow/christian-aid -- Fund to Aid Christians Under Persecution

Corrector

8/18/2014 03:11:20 pm

For the sake of accuracy, this was posted three days ago:

http://elca.org/News-and-Events/7692

Dan Skogen

8/18/2014 04:09:12 pm

Yes, thank you! I posted this blog Thursday, Aug. 14 and this ELCA response was posted Friday, Aug. 15.

8/19/2014 12:16:14 am

It would also be helpful if the ELCA offered (James 2:15-17) avenues for action and aid to the beleaguered Christians in Iraq. Maybe the ELCA will take note of other such efforts and offer its own suggestions or denominationally sponsored initiative in a subsequent press release.

https://www.lcms.org/givenow/christian-aid -- LCMS's Fund to Aid Christians Under Persecution

http://juicyecumenism.com/2014/08/17/what-can-you-can-do-for-persecuted-iraqis-pt1/ -- What Can YOU Do for Persecuted Iraqis? (Part 1)

http://juicyecumenism.com/2014/08/18/five-things-you-can-do-for-persecuted-iraqis-part-2/ -- What Can YOU Do for Persecuted Iraqis? (Part 2)

One of the five suggestions from the Part 2 article:

3. Provide financial support to the refugees through an organization such as Barnabas Fund or Samaritan’s Purse (There are many other great organizations helping the Iraqis. These are just a couple examples of good, effective ministries.)

Barnabas Aid of the Barnabas Fund provides hope and relief to the persecuted church, working with partners on the ground. Currently 30,000 displaced Iraqi Christians are receiving aid through just one of Barnabas Aid’s projects for Iraq and Syria.

Samaritan’s Purse is also responding to the crisis in northern Iraq. A report following ISIS’s taking of the ancient city of Qaraqosh on August 7 told how they had expanded food relief with the influx of newly displaced families. “Within one 48-hour period, the organization fed 14,000 people.” Samaritan’s Purse has also provided monthly supplies to families in Erbil and Chamchamal since June.

Wonder what the Bible has to say about providing for your persecuted brothers and sisters? Last year my friend Dominic Sputo, the founder of Mute No More, told me what he found when searching the New Testament for verses about money and giving. Seventy-two percent of the verses (294) are specifically related to financially supporting poor, persecuted Christians. Sputo also pointed out that St. Paul initiated Sunday collections “in order to collect money for suffering Christians.” For instance, Christians in Antioch collected funds for Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 11: 19). Christians in Corinth raised money for Christians in Turkey and Greece (2 Cor. 9: 12).

Lynn Moser

4/14/2015 01:59:31 am

ELCA uses informational material for study and conversation starters provided by ISNA. ISNA is a MB offshoot organization. I called the Chicago office and Seattle office and they just go in circles when I explain it and explain by doing that and not owning it they too are practicing taqiyya. Defunding the ELCA is the only way to get thru to them. They also partake in the Gov Refugee program to a financial benefit to the ELCA...
So much to learn. My pew peers aren't as interested in learning the facts provided at this site.

I'm out of that church. I love the Altar area and a few of the folks but I'm gone...

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

ELCA Silence on Christian Genocide

Leave a Reply.

Dan Skogen

Categories

Archives

Home

Share

Exposed Blog

HELP

Contact