The Bible is the Issue
Dear Council, Thank you for the opportunity for our staff to share our thoughts with you. I am grateful for the opportunity. The issue at hand is not our determination regarding the issue of human sexuality. The central part of this conversation does not directly involve the issue of homosexuality. The central component is our understanding of Scripture. Will we be a church that is determined to stand on Christ alone? One of the core teachings of this church is that God’s Word is Truth. In the midst of a myriad of messages we receive from the world, Scripture is the guide – it is the Truth by which all other insight and inspiration is measured. In fact, the Bible is clear that it ought to be the guidebook, resource, roadmap and compass by which we determine our steps – understanding the person of Jesus Christ as revealed by the Holy Spirit through scripture and come to know the endless promises contained in Scripture and revealed by God to His people. Paul wrote to Timothy: 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:14-17 |
|
I believe that I have been led by God to equip missionaries. The missionaries that I work with just happen to be between the ages of 11 years and 18 years of age. Every Wednesday night, we gather over 225 of these missionaries together, to equip them . . . to ready them . . . to help them determine truth from lies. We do this so that they are prepared, not for the rest of their lives, but for the very next day – when they walk through the halls of their school’s campus and come up against a world, peers, and friends who are often hostile toward God and God’s ways. In the midst of an intense environment, one that, if I may say is dramatically contradictory to the lives that many adults live (in the safety of our politically correct way of functioning in our workplace and often our circles of friends), we are charged with the task to “equip them for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:17).
How are we to do that, if we don’t know the standard by which we ought to guide them?
“Relative Truth” is not Truth, it is an oxymoron. I have taught students, many times, that if a person is thoroughly convinced that 2 + 2 = 5, they have the freedom to have that thought – however, the truth remains, regardless of their conviction and commitment to the contrary, that 2 + 2 = 4. Likewise, when the world communicates messages such as:
“There’s more than one way to heaven. All gods really all are the same.”
“If I’m a good enough person, I’ll be going to heaven.”
“If it feels good, do it.”
We, as Christians, have the burden of responsibility to present the Truth as found in God’s Word.
Jesus is the Only Way to eternal life, (John 3:16)
it’s not by our works that we are saved, but by the saving work of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9) and we ought not live in a way that is interested in satisfying the desires of our sinful nature – but instead recognize that our decisions effect others (1 Timothy 4:12)
If we are to have integrity in our response as Christians, it must be about more than mere “conviction” – it must be substantiated – and that substantiation can only be found in Truth, God’s Word.
One of our churches “Guiding Principles” is very clear on the point and purpose of scripture in our midst:
Our community of faith is Bible-based and prayer-focused. Our church bases its teachings, vision, and future on the inspired Word of God. The Bible and prayer are a part of every program, study, and worship experience, as we gather in the name of Jesus.
I will spare you the repetition of the scriptures that speak directly to homosexual acts and choices. You have heard them before – however, there isn’t a single scripture that points to a recommendation of homosexual behavior. The critical component here is the definition of “sin” – which cannot be determined according to what the “world” deems sin, but rather what God deems as sin. That does not mean that we don’t love – in fact, I would contend that we must love people enough to share the Truth with them, so that each of us can see our desperate need for Christ.
Additionally, we have found that our congregation is shockingly spiritually young as found in our thorough Reveal study.
This must cause us pause, as leaders of this church. One question, of course, is how do we bolster people’s faith? How do we help them become dependent on Jesus Christ – ready to follow Him boldly and unapologetically?
The writer of Hebrews was emphatic – challenging God’s people . . . I can’t help but think that this scripture is, in part, for our church – as we challenge people toward initial and more mature dependence on Christ:
12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14
The answer, as we know, to the lack of depth among our people is to bolster our efforts in the area of “discipleship,” one of our Bold Steps. We need to introduce people to the person of Jesus Christ, provide them an opportunity to respond to His no-strings-attached Love and then guide them to grow, know and live in relationship with Jesus.
The last part there, is about teaching, guiding, leading, directing, correcting, and training in righteousness. That’s the purpose of God’s Word as it is clearly stated in vs. 12, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.”
It’s not our job to make people feel better about their situation or about their sin, regardless of the sin – but instead help them see that life without Christ is empty.
Luther has made many a compelling point regarding the place of scripture in our lives:
"The pope boasts that the Christian Church is above the Word of God. No, this is not true! We must be pupils and not aspire to be masters, for the pupil must not be above his master." (LW. 23.231; Q. in Ibid.)
"When anything contrary to Scripture is decreed in a council, we ought to believe Scripture rather than the council. Scripture is our court of appeal and bulwark; with it we can resist even an angel from heaven - as St. Paul commands in Galatians 1(:8) - let alone a pope and a council." (LW. 32.81; Q. in Wood, 126)
Speaking of church leaders, “. . . But everyone, indeed, knows that at times they have erred, as men will; therefore, I am ready to trust them only when they give me evidence for their opinions from Scripture, which has never erred." (LW. 32.11; Q. in Wood, 125)
"I have learned to do only those books that are called the Holy Scriptures the honor of believing firmly that none of their writes has ever erred. All others I so read as not to hold what they say to be truth unless they prove it to me by Holy Scripture or clear reason." (Epistolae, 82; Q. in LW. 32.189; Q. in Wood, 125)
"Among Christians the rule is not to argue or investigate, not to be a smart aleck or a rationalistic know-it-all; but to hear, believe, and persevere in the Word of God, through which alone we obtain whatever knowledge we have of God and divine things. We are not to determine out of ourselves what we must believe about him, but to hear and learn it from him." (LW. 13.237; Q. in Wood, 120)
On the importance of the literal understanding, Luther writes, "The Christian reader should make it his first task to seek out the literal sense, as they call it. For it alone is the whole substance of faith and Christian theology; it alone holds its ground in trouble and trial." (LW. 9.24; Q. in Wood, 164)
I have additional concern related to our connection with the ELCA. Recently the ELCA has taken some alarming stands related to Israel (see supporting material attached).
Lastly, we part from the ELCA in our understanding of Salvation. We have clearly spoken in our Guiding Principles that lost people matter to God and to us. God has put us on the earth to search and seek out the lost (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-16). For this reason we seek to reach out to the world around us and share the love of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20) We are a friendly, inviting community, where seekers can ask questions and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In opposition to this very thought of sharing the Gospel with those who are lost, the ELCA has stated in “The Lutheran Study Bible” ELCA version printed by Augsburg Fortress on the Great Commission. "Jesus now sends the disciples to make disciples of all nations. That does not mean make everyone disciples. Most people who are helped by Jesus and believe in him never become disciples. Jesus includes in salvation people who do not believe in him or even know about him."
Why would we want to remain in relationship with a church body that contradicts the very purpose for the Church?
I would like to submit that we no longer remain in the ELCA.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anonymous
How are we to do that, if we don’t know the standard by which we ought to guide them?
“Relative Truth” is not Truth, it is an oxymoron. I have taught students, many times, that if a person is thoroughly convinced that 2 + 2 = 5, they have the freedom to have that thought – however, the truth remains, regardless of their conviction and commitment to the contrary, that 2 + 2 = 4. Likewise, when the world communicates messages such as:
“There’s more than one way to heaven. All gods really all are the same.”
“If I’m a good enough person, I’ll be going to heaven.”
“If it feels good, do it.”
We, as Christians, have the burden of responsibility to present the Truth as found in God’s Word.
Jesus is the Only Way to eternal life, (John 3:16)
it’s not by our works that we are saved, but by the saving work of Jesus (Ephesians 2:8-9) and we ought not live in a way that is interested in satisfying the desires of our sinful nature – but instead recognize that our decisions effect others (1 Timothy 4:12)
If we are to have integrity in our response as Christians, it must be about more than mere “conviction” – it must be substantiated – and that substantiation can only be found in Truth, God’s Word.
One of our churches “Guiding Principles” is very clear on the point and purpose of scripture in our midst:
Our community of faith is Bible-based and prayer-focused. Our church bases its teachings, vision, and future on the inspired Word of God. The Bible and prayer are a part of every program, study, and worship experience, as we gather in the name of Jesus.
I will spare you the repetition of the scriptures that speak directly to homosexual acts and choices. You have heard them before – however, there isn’t a single scripture that points to a recommendation of homosexual behavior. The critical component here is the definition of “sin” – which cannot be determined according to what the “world” deems sin, but rather what God deems as sin. That does not mean that we don’t love – in fact, I would contend that we must love people enough to share the Truth with them, so that each of us can see our desperate need for Christ.
Additionally, we have found that our congregation is shockingly spiritually young as found in our thorough Reveal study.
This must cause us pause, as leaders of this church. One question, of course, is how do we bolster people’s faith? How do we help them become dependent on Jesus Christ – ready to follow Him boldly and unapologetically?
The writer of Hebrews was emphatic – challenging God’s people . . . I can’t help but think that this scripture is, in part, for our church – as we challenge people toward initial and more mature dependence on Christ:
12In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14
The answer, as we know, to the lack of depth among our people is to bolster our efforts in the area of “discipleship,” one of our Bold Steps. We need to introduce people to the person of Jesus Christ, provide them an opportunity to respond to His no-strings-attached Love and then guide them to grow, know and live in relationship with Jesus.
The last part there, is about teaching, guiding, leading, directing, correcting, and training in righteousness. That’s the purpose of God’s Word as it is clearly stated in vs. 12, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again.”
It’s not our job to make people feel better about their situation or about their sin, regardless of the sin – but instead help them see that life without Christ is empty.
Luther has made many a compelling point regarding the place of scripture in our lives:
"The pope boasts that the Christian Church is above the Word of God. No, this is not true! We must be pupils and not aspire to be masters, for the pupil must not be above his master." (LW. 23.231; Q. in Ibid.)
"When anything contrary to Scripture is decreed in a council, we ought to believe Scripture rather than the council. Scripture is our court of appeal and bulwark; with it we can resist even an angel from heaven - as St. Paul commands in Galatians 1(:8) - let alone a pope and a council." (LW. 32.81; Q. in Wood, 126)
Speaking of church leaders, “. . . But everyone, indeed, knows that at times they have erred, as men will; therefore, I am ready to trust them only when they give me evidence for their opinions from Scripture, which has never erred." (LW. 32.11; Q. in Wood, 125)
"I have learned to do only those books that are called the Holy Scriptures the honor of believing firmly that none of their writes has ever erred. All others I so read as not to hold what they say to be truth unless they prove it to me by Holy Scripture or clear reason." (Epistolae, 82; Q. in LW. 32.189; Q. in Wood, 125)
"Among Christians the rule is not to argue or investigate, not to be a smart aleck or a rationalistic know-it-all; but to hear, believe, and persevere in the Word of God, through which alone we obtain whatever knowledge we have of God and divine things. We are not to determine out of ourselves what we must believe about him, but to hear and learn it from him." (LW. 13.237; Q. in Wood, 120)
On the importance of the literal understanding, Luther writes, "The Christian reader should make it his first task to seek out the literal sense, as they call it. For it alone is the whole substance of faith and Christian theology; it alone holds its ground in trouble and trial." (LW. 9.24; Q. in Wood, 164)
I have additional concern related to our connection with the ELCA. Recently the ELCA has taken some alarming stands related to Israel (see supporting material attached).
Lastly, we part from the ELCA in our understanding of Salvation. We have clearly spoken in our Guiding Principles that lost people matter to God and to us. God has put us on the earth to search and seek out the lost (Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-16). For this reason we seek to reach out to the world around us and share the love of Jesus Christ. (Matthew 28:19-20) We are a friendly, inviting community, where seekers can ask questions and develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.
In opposition to this very thought of sharing the Gospel with those who are lost, the ELCA has stated in “The Lutheran Study Bible” ELCA version printed by Augsburg Fortress on the Great Commission. "Jesus now sends the disciples to make disciples of all nations. That does not mean make everyone disciples. Most people who are helped by Jesus and believe in him never become disciples. Jesus includes in salvation people who do not believe in him or even know about him."
Why would we want to remain in relationship with a church body that contradicts the very purpose for the Church?
I would like to submit that we no longer remain in the ELCA.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anonymous