Once again, a need to clarify…

On February 19, 2009, it was reported, according to MSNBC and the Associated Press, that:  “The nation's largest Lutheran denomination will consider allowing individual congregations to choose whether to allow gays and lesbians in committed relationships to serve as clergy, an attempt to avoid the sort of infighting that has threatened to tear other churches apart.”  The news memo went on to say, “A task force of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America recommended that course Thursday in a long-awaited report on ministry standards. The panel, however, said the church needs to clarify a number of questions before overhauling its gay clergy policy.”

It is unfortunate that many people who do not know much about Lutheranism might be inclined to think that all Lutherans are of a similar mindset as many who are leading the ELCA.  Contrary to the impression given by task-force leaders in the ELCA, the Bible itself is clear on this subject.  Homosexuality is not an alternative lifestyle.  The Bible calls it sin, and our goal is to have people see sin as sin, repent of it and take hold of the free gift of Christ’s forgiveness, which also then empowers one to live the new life of faith.

Please take note:

• The Evangelical Lutheran Synod confesses that Scripture condemns homosexuality and extra-marital relations (fornication and adultery) as sin. (Romans 1:26-27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, 18 and 7:2-9, 1 Timothy 1:9-11, John 4:17-18)
• We maintain that the divine institution of marriage is to be heterosexual, in which, according to God’s design, one man and one woman may enjoy a life-long companionship in mutual love. (Genesis 1:27-28 and 2:18-24, Matthew 19:4-6)
• We confess that the ordination of individuals in same-sex relationships is contrary to what the Holy Scriptures teach concerning homosexual behavior and concerning the biblical qualifications for the public ministry.
• When an individual caught up in such sins truly repents, the forgiveness of the Gospel is to be fully applied. All sins have been washed away through the blood of Jesus Christ our Savior who died for all people on the cross. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16, see also 1 John 1:9)