Minneapolis Steeple after tornado; 2009 ELCA church-wide assembly
The title of the post comes to us from a verse from Holy Scripture (Galatians 6:7), and it reflects both the sermon from Westminster OPC from last week, brought to us by seminarian Jeremiah Montgomery, as well as the sentiments of Jaynan L. Clark, president of the Word Alone network, an organization for biblical reform within the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). Reading her article about the voting results at the most recent ELCA church-wide assembly has been a real eye-opener for a number of reasons.
Before continuing with any further thoughts on this, the reader is first referred to Ms. Clark’s very passionate article on the Word Alone site:
Article: God will not be mocked—especially when steeples fall
In case the reader is unaware, the ELCA has been dealing for years to find a correct “response” to the homosexual movement in the culture. Many have advocated a biblical approach, but others have inserted the language of “inclusion”, “love”, and “equality and justice” into the debate, arguing for things that clearly defy scripture (see scripture references later on in the post). Of Ms. Clark’s many powerful observations on the ELCA church-wide assembly, this one stands out:
In the name of inclusion I’ve never felt so excluded. In the name of love, I’ve never felt so despised. In the name of equality and justice, I’ve never felt so discounted and marginalized.
But with the following paragraph, I was truly awestruck. Again, from Ms. Clark’s article:
For years we have prayed for clarity. We have it. According to National Public Radio, the tornado came out of nowhere. On the other side of the street from the Minneapolis Convention Center, the cross on top of Central Lutheran was bent toward the ground and tents and tables were turned over.
I had to read that a few times. Tornado? Yes, this was very real. There really was a pretty interesting tornado in Minneapolis as Ms. Clark reports. Checking Google for “Minneapolis tornado”, I found a few very interesting hits, including this weather report, which is definitely worth a read:
Article: An F0 rating for the Minneapolis tornado
Of particular interest in that account is the note about how straight the line of the tornado was and how it lifted near the Convention Center where the church-wide assembly was being held. And from Ms. Clark’s account it lifted after first taking out the steeple of the Lutheran church across the street as well as some tents and parts of the convention center roof. The picture posted here (at the top of this post) from John Piper’s blog is itself probably worth more than one thousand words. Before I get on with more of my own thoughts, it would be helpful to read both of Dr. Piper’s recent posts on this phenomenon:
Article: The Tornado, the Lutherans, and Homosexuality
Article: Clarifying the Tornado
My wife and I are thinking through a series of articles (probably to be first posted here) about discerning “signposts”, events that occur (as all events in life ultimately do) at the sovereign hand of the Almighty God, events that are important road markers to be heeded, that help to point the way and to help to show God’s will in one’s life. As always, in all things, the Holy Scripture is our ultimate, infallible revelation of God’s will, but as God is all sovereign, there are probably many things going on in our lives that we should not ignore.
John Piper sees this tornado in Minneapolis as a clear sign from God, and like his own personal sign of dealing with cancer a few years earlier, the message is clear (from Piper’s second-mentioned post above, Clarifying the Tornado):
- Turn from every approval of sin in your life.
- Turn from the justification and promotion of any behaviors in your life that lead to destruction.
- Reaffirm the great biblical heritage of allegiance to the truth and authority of Scripture.
- Turn back from your inveterate bent to distort the grace of God into sensuality.
- Rejoice in the pardon of the cross of Christ and its power to transform you and all other sinners.
Now I emphasize that last point, because the hope for all sinners is uniquely found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ (which I remind my readers as I myself have been wonderfully reminded recently that “the Gospel is good news, not good advice”; thank you jwm). The good news of Jesus Christ is forgiveness of sins, not because of our human merit, but because of God’s amazing grace, as poured out on the cross of Christ. As Paul says, “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.” (1 Timothy 1:15, ESV)
The good news for all sinners, whatever sins may befall, is that in Christ there is found God’s amazing grace and forgiveness. And by the working of His Holy Spirit we are being turned away from sin, as evidence of God’s working a miracle in the hearts of all believers. The life of the truly repentant in Christ should therefore be marked by a turning from sin, not a full-throttle run toward it. (For instance, in John 8:1-11, note what Jesus tells the adulterous woman after He forgives her of her sin in 8:11. Also, consider Galatians 5:16-24, especially v24.)
So what’s the problem with allowing some churches in the ELCA to ordain practicing homosexuals if they wish, or even to “marry” them at some point? Is that really a sin? Here are a few references from God’s Word…
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God’s decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. ~ Romans 1:26-32, ESV
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. … Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. ~ 1 Corinthians 9-11, 18-20, ESV
Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. ~ 1 Timothy 1:8-11, ESV
The great danger of the ELCA’s decision is so well summed up by Albert Mohler in a brief “twitter” message recently posted at his site on Friday, August 20:
The ELCA votes to allow partnered homosexuals as ministers. Thus they lie to homosexuals about their sin. Pray.
Pray. Pray for those enslaved by homosexuality. Pray for the church or denomination that would work to condone such a sin (or any sin). Pray for the truth of God’s Word to break through such sinful disbelief and opposition to God’s Word as was on display in Minneapolis this past week. Pray that the sign of the tornado would not be lost on any of them, as Piper suggests. It certainly was not lost on Word Alone president Jaynan L. Clark.
And consider this further sign: The vote to accept the proposed “social statement” on sexuality that is clearly so controversial required at least a two-thirds vote. When the votes were counted, there were 676 for it, and 338 against it (a total of 1014 votes). If you do the math, 676 is exactly 2/3 (66.6-and infinitely repeating). Two votes less and you could not have rounded the percent up to be over 2/3.
Now there surely will be those of a theologically liberal mindset interpreting this vote as “God doing a new thing”, believing their unbiblical view of human sexuality to be justified by this outcome. However, I believe this incredibly narrow vote could indicate the removal of God’s mercies from the ELCA. For long years this result has been pursued by the most liberal elements of the denomination, regardless of the convictions of many more conservative members in the pew. Now that this measure is “passed”, I am afraid the ELCA will go the way of the Episcopalian church in America. As the apostle Paul writes, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8, ESV)
UPDATE: On Monday, August 24, more helpful articles and links were added for the reader’s further consideration:
Article: Wearing the Disguise of Faithfulness, Albert Mohler
Online Radio: Lutherans and Homosexual Clergy: A Problem Long in the Making (Albert Mohler Program)
Article: Church changes signage after controversial vote on homosexualilty, Charleston, WV, Daily Mail
Transcript: Address to ELCA Churchwide Assembly, August 22, 2009, Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS
Statement: Re: Certain Actions of the 2009 Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, LCMS
Article: To change or not to change, that was the question, Jaynan L. Clark, WordAlone
Discord can become concord when Christian individuals and Christian church bodies are faithful to the Holy Scriptures, which reveal the Gospel of God’s grace, forgiveness, and salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ~Dr. Gerald B. Kieschnick, President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
Conclusion of original Sunday, August 23 post continues here…
For our own personal “signposts” and what incidents transpired to bring us (my wife and I) away from the ELCA and toward the OPC (Orthodox Presbyterian Church) starting over a year ago, check back for the upcoming “Signpost” series, hopefully soon, right here, at Reformed! Again.
In the meantime, have a listen to Jeremiah Montgomery’s Galatians sermon series (click here, then scroll down to the third grouping of links under “Sermon Series”). Think about your own signposts. Regularly read God’s Word in the Holy Scripture, the Bible, and be in daily prayer. Consider what God is speaking to your heart from His Word and what He is showing you in His sovereign actions over your life circumstances.
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