In our search to find a church locally, for several months now we have been attending and participating in church activities and serving at an ELCA. We have been prayerfully considering the issues at stake with the recent changes (within the last year) that have been enacted within the denomination. We had to make a difficult decision that binds us by our own conscious to the authority of scripture, which evidently caused sadness to the Pastor today when we told him that we had to leave, which he has made known publicly this afternoon on his Blog. If this was to shame us for our decision this morning, we would hope not. (Guarding what has been entrusted to us - 1 Timothy 6:20,21) He said he wanted to talk to us later which we agreed to because our comment was brief, but instead he posted on his blog without talking with us.
We, as anyone else, must Stand Firm in the Faith. This entry on the Pastor’s Blog will certainly cause some to speculate as to why we had to move on.
We, as anyone else, must Stand Firm in the Faith. This entry on the Pastor’s Blog will certainly cause some to speculate as to why we had to move on.
We had to ask hard questions before making our decision to leave: Was the bible being preached? Why was no one bringing a bible to church in the 6 months of attending? In a 3 hour theological class (2nd class in prelude to membership we took) no one brought, used, or had a bible, unfortunately not even the pastor had a bible visible or used it, this pretty much told us where the authority of scripture really ranked at this Church. We hope the links below will make it clear why we made our decision and where we stand. This experience has greatly saddened and affected us too, and would hope that someone reading this would consider how serious these concerns are.
It was easy to develop a love for the body of believers in this church and the Pastor, but again,
True biblical unity is based on the truth found in the Bible and is governed by Scripture not consensus. You can not have “true biblical unity” based on opinions, speculations, feelings or human wisdom, and these are no substitute or match for the unity that is ignited by the Holy Spirit from the authority of God’s Word by teaching it‘s principles from Scripture with the scripture. Or as it has been said: “Scripture interprets scripture.
1 Timothy 4:6 “In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of sound doctrine which you have been following.”
If you are still curious as to our decision and why we have serious concerns, please refer to the links here.
1). The Idolatrous Religion of Conscience - A Lutheran Lesson for Us All
2). Ecumenical Council to Address Biblical fundamentalism
3). D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones on the Authority of Scripture - we must choose between two positions:
http://www.albertmohler.com/2005/06/19/d-martyn-lloyd-jones-on-the-authority-of-scripture-we-must-choose-between-two-positions/
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5/15/10
The Pastor and his wife (SheJaster) were angry due to our decision to find another church, and posted comments on the Pastor’s blog. In reference to his post - He never used an iphone (visibly) during sunday services or in the theological class, but he fails to mention this in his accusation. He is fully visable when he gives his sermons and no iphone was being used in substitution of a bible.
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Recent Articles:
Lutheran Church discuss theological implication of ELCA action: April 12-13, 2010
http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=16933
LCMS and ELCA Talk about ELCA's Decisions on Sexuality
http://stand-firm.blogspot.com/2010/05/lcms-and-elca-talk-about-elcas.html
Critique of the Social Statement & Recommendations - lutheran forum.org
http://www.lutheranforum.org/sexuality/critique-of-the-social-statement-recommendations/
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5/15/10
The Pastor and his wife (SheJaster) were angry due to our decision to find another church, and posted comments on the Pastor’s blog. In reference to his post - He never used an iphone (visibly) during sunday services or in the theological class, but he fails to mention this in his accusation. He is fully visable when he gives his sermons and no iphone was being used in substitution of a bible.
________________________________________
Recent Articles:
Lutheran Church discuss theological implication of ELCA action: April 12-13, 2010
http://www.lcms.org/pages/rpage.asp?NavID=16933
LCMS and ELCA Talk about ELCA's Decisions on Sexuality
http://stand-firm.blogspot.com/2010/05/lcms-and-elca-talk-about-elcas.html
Critique of the Social Statement & Recommendations - lutheran forum.org
http://www.lutheranforum.org/sexuality/critique-of-the-social-statement-recommendations/