Gay Man Elected Bishop of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod

9/18/2023

On September 17, 2023 Jeff Johnson was elected bishop of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod. Rev. Johnson is gay and is married to a man.

Below is a report by Pastor Tom Brock about the recent election of Jeff Johnson:

The following is some addition information about Bishop-elect Jeff Johnson:

Rev. Jeff Johnson, and his church University Lutheran Chapel (ELCA) in Berkeley, CA were conducting a monthly "Goddess Rosary" service in 2010. (see here)

In 2017 Rev. Jeff Johnson signed a letter stating changes they want to see with the ELCA, among other things,
"Specific changes we would like to see include:
- No longer privileging marriage as the only acceptable form of sexual relationality
- Updating ELCA policies to reflect marriage equality in the United States
- Editing out language that perpetuates heteronormativity and sexual oppression” (see here)

It also said:

"We as Lutherans believe in an incarnational God, whose presence sanctifies flesh and allows us to see sexuality as a “gift and trust,” not a sinful curse we need to control.
Theological and ethical arguments that prioritize purity and chastity are in contradiction with our incarnational and baptismal theology."

Rev. Jeff Johnson also signed a letter supporting evolution and rejecting truth of creation. (See here)

5 Comments

Didaskalos link

9/18/2023 10:07:53 am

Q: Why are impenitent ELCA pastors, bishops, and seminary professors so intent on zealously propelling not just themselves but others toward hell?

A: Because that's how Satan works through those who have been deceived into doing his bidding.

William MacDonald (2 Cor. 11:15)—“J. N. Darby once stated that Satan is never more satanic than when he carries a Bible…If Satan himself poses falsely, it is not surprising if his agents do the same. How do they pose? As false teachers? As atheists? As infidels? The answer is no. They pose as ministers of righteousness. They profess to be ministers of religion. They profess to lead people in the way of truth and righteousness, but they are agents of the evil one. Their end will be according to their works.” [Believer’s Bible Commentary, p. 1884]

"Apostasy and Assurance"
-- https://theopolisinstitute.com/apostasy-and-assurance/

". . . apostasy doesn’t 'just happen.' Apostasy is the result of an extended period of compromise, disobedience, and unbelief that culminates in a denial of Christ not to be repented of. In other words, no one apostatizes, unless he wants to and is willing to work at it. And therefore apostasy catches no one by surprise. It’s the result of an intentional, purposeful, and persistent choice to depart from Jesus and the faith. Apostasy is something that a person who is sincerely loving Jesus and seeking to be faithful to Him need never fear."

The good news: Jesus' imperative -- "Repent and believe in the gospel" -- is still eternally efficacious for everyone who will turn from sin and follow Him.

David Guzik Commentary: 1 John 3:6
-- https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/1-john-3/

. . ."Whoever abides in Him does not sin": John’s message is plain and consistent with the rest of the Scriptures. It tells us that a life style of habitual sin is inconsistent with a life of abiding in Jesus Christ. A true Christian can only be temporarily in a life style of sin.

Paul’s teaching in Romans 6 is a great example of this principle. He shows us that when a person comes to Jesus, when his sins are forgiven and God’s grace is extended to him, he is radically changed - the old man is dead, and the new man lives. So it is utterly incompatible for a new creation in Christ to be comfortable in habitual sin; such a place can only be temporary for the Christian.

In some ways, the question is not “Do you sin or not?” We each sin. The question is, “How do you react when you sin? Do you give in to the pattern of sin, and let it dominate your lifestyle? Or do you humbly confess your sin, and do battle against it with the power Jesus can give?”

. . ."Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him": To live a lifestyle of habitual sin is to demonstrate that you have not seen Him (in a present sense of the ultimate "seeing Him" mentioned in 1 John 3:2), and that you have not known Him. There are some people so great and so wonderful that seeing them or knowing them will change your life forever. Jesus is that kind of person.

Born again

9/18/2023 04:52:51 pm

What’s next, an unrepentant practicing bank robber? Sin is sin.

9/20/2023 04:35:47 am

"Eternity is too long to mess this up." Unrepentant ELCA clerics and parishioners need to hear and heed the Bible's warnings.

‘Love is Love’: Does God Agree With That?
https://stream.org/love-is-love-does-god-agree-with-that/

. . . The Bible teaches that God created a male and a female. When He looked at everything He created, He said, “It is very good” (Gen. 1:31). He made no mistakes. He gave no other options or alternatives. He created the female to join with the man in companionship and to continue creation. God designed a man for a union with a woman to replenish the earth with people who would love Him. He did not create another male for the man. He specifically handcrafted a woman to complement the anatomy of the male. Together, the reproductive system would function to continue God’s plan to have people that would enjoy the resources He provided.

There is no Biblical acceptance or promotion of same-sex relationships. There are only faulty interpretations and perceptions of what the scriptures say to support man’s lust and rebellion.

[ . . .]

When we want to please God, we don’t just run with every doctrine and wind of interpretation. When we want to return God’s love, we seek His face. We run to Him for guidance. We long to be in His presence and search His word for direction, healing and His leading. Our souls are too important to get this wrong. Eternity is too long to mess this up. God’s love never leaves us hanging. He will show us His plan and the magnitude of His greatness when we really want to seek Him. In essence, it is trusting that our Lord’s ways are higher than ours. It is knowing that His design for our lives is even better than the plans we could design for our own lives.

Pray and search the Scriptures. God never leaves us to confusion. He will show us the plan when we walk in His way and have a heart that wants to love Him.

Rebecca

9/19/2023 09:48:13 pm

In a lifetime:::::: I am 80 years old. Raised up in church. A Lutheran church. It was a good place to be then. In my young days, the word pregnant was ever said in front of children. In fact, I am not sure the adults used it, as a woman was "expecting" back then. When I read this website now, my heart hurts. Such evil.......And as first comment says, why these folks have to take others with them is as incomprehensible as what they do themselves. Lord, have mercy on us!

A column reader

9/20/2023 08:43:30 am

Will ELCA bishops or synod leaders ever be selected again unless they are part of or completely agree with the LGBT+++ agenda??? I am glad we have moved on to a new church and no longer contribute time & talents to ELCA activities

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Gay Man Elected Bishop of the ELCA Sierra Pacific Synod

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Dan Skogen

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