HERE WE STAND

The ELCIC is in a crisis of faith. The same sex blessing issue is only one symptom of that which divides us.

At the heart of the crisis is a false gospel that is a departure from the historic teaching of Christianity as stated in the Book of Concord which Lutherans understand to be a faithful interpretation of Holy Scripture.

We remain in full accord with the ELCIC’s confession of faith as stated in Article II of this Church’s constitution. Therefore we must reject any new teaching that contradicts, the Scriptures, the theology of the Lutheran Church, our constitution and the teaching of the Christian Church both today and throughout time.

1. The Word of God

(John 17:17, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Peter 1:16-21)

We confess: “…the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God, through which God still speaks, and as the only source of the church’s doctrine and the authoritative standard for the faith and life of the church.”

(ELCIC Constitution Article II Section 3)

We also subscribe to: “…the documents of the Book of Concord of 1580 as witnesses to the way in which the Holy Scriptures have been correctly understood, explained and confessed for the sake of the Gospel.”

(ELCIC Constitution Article II, Section 4)

We reject any interpretation of the Scriptures which would forbid the use of our intellects, and we equally reject any interpretation of Scripture which would subordinate Scriptures to reason, experience, or culture. We also reject the notion that Scripture is not the Word of God but only contains the Word of God.

2. Law and Gospel

(Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, Romans 1:16-19, Matthew 5:17-20)

We believe God’s Word comes to us as law and gospel. The law judges our sin and the gospel pronounces forgiveness of sins. The law maintains its function in ordering society and driving us to Christ. Because each of us is still both saint and sinner it is still necessary to preach both law and gospel even to those who believe.

We reject any teaching which would void the law, leading to a false understanding that we are no longer sinners in need of repentance.

3. The Trinity

(Matthew 28:18-21, Luke 10:21-22, John 3:31-36, John 16: 4b-33)

We believe, teach and confess the historic understanding of the Triune God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
We reject the false teaching that the naming of God as Father is a human construct to be understood on the analogy of human fatherhood that designates God as male.

We reject the notion that the Trinitarian name of Father, Son and Holy Spirit is inherently oppressive to human beings in general or women in particular; or that substituting other triadic terms is adequate. The Word of God is silenced among us whenever the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit is ignored, minimized, marginalized, suppressed, or altered in the church’s preaching, praying, baptizing and confessing.

4. Creation and the Image of God

(Genesis 1:26-28, Genesis 2:18-24, Leviticus 18:22, Mark 10:6-7, Romans 1:27, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-8)

We believe that God created all things and that his purpose in creation was for good.
This includes his creation of humanity in his own image as male and female. Therefore human sexual fulfillment is to be found within a proper relationship to God and creation as expressed in marriage, which is a relationship between one man and one woman, to the exclusion of all others.

Any other expression of sexual relationships beyond human male – female relationships is itself an assault on creation.

Therefore we reject any teaching that runs contrary to God’s created design.

5. The Uniqueness of Christ

(John 3:16-21, John 14:6, Acts 4:12., Rom. 10:16-17)

We believe that Jesus Christ is the only way of salvation. The gift of salvation is given by grace through faith to all who believe in Christ.
We reject any teaching which says that salvation comes without repentance, and without belief in Christ (Augsburg Confession Article XVII).

We also reject any teaching which says that all religions lead to salvation.

6. Christian Inclusivity

(Mark 8:34-38, Romans 12:1-2, 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11, Galatians 5: 13-24, Ephesians 4:17-5:20)

We believe Jesus Christ invites and welcomes all people to receive forgiveness of their sins and calls us to follow Him in a renewed and changed life.

We reject any teaching that would turn Christ’s welcome into a false gospel which allows people to do whatever they please.

Quotes from Martin Luther:

“Moreover, the Word of God must undergo the most shameful and spiteful persecution and blasphemy; it is contradicted, perverted, misused, and misinterpreted.”

“They believe that one should not frighten people or have them worried but always encouragingly speak about grace and the forgiveness in Christ. And so they say, ‘Listen, you are an adulterer, use prostitutes, are miserly or commit other sins? Only believe and you are saved. You do not have to fear the law. Christ has fulfilled all.’ They may be nice Easter-preachers but they are terrible Pentecost-preachers for they do not preach the sanctification through the Holy Spirit. Because Christ wants us to have not only forgiveness of sins but also that we stop sinning.”