The ELCA and the Word of God Several years ago an ELCA pastor, who have been my internship supervisor, suddenly died. I attended his funeral, which was at a very large, and supposedly very sophisticated ELCA congregation located in the suburbs of Philadelphia. The church was packed because he was a very prominent Lutheran pastor. I was quite taken aback when the gospel reading had Jesus just saying, I am the way and the truth and the life. The gospel of the Lord. Having officiated at hundreds of funerals throughout my ministry, I wondered what had happened with the rest of Jesus sentence, ...and no one comes to the father except through me? This troubled me. So, of course, being the politically incorrect individual that I am, after the funeral was concluded I asked one of the clergy why the gospel reading had been truncated. Her explanation, as I expected, was that if there were any non-Christians present they might have been offended if Jesus complete sentence have been read. Now the pastor who had died had been in the ministry for many years and everybody certainly knew he was a Christian pastor. If by chance someone was present who wasnt a Christian, why wouldnt they be open minded enough to accept the words of Jesus as Jesus actually said them? When I attend a Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox church I certainly dont take offense at their prayers to Mary and the Saints. My sense is that while the ELCA leadership and most of the ELCA clergy continue to officially claim to be Lutheran Christians, in reality they find the Word of God to be offensive and embarrassing. And so they change it around to anything they think it should be. That is completely arrogant and idolatrous. Obviously, that is also why I cannot stand to be around them. And yet they consider me arrogant - much too arrogant to serve an ELCA congregation as pastor anymore - and a rabble-rouser too. Actually, I am neither arrogant nor a rabble-rouser. I am simply a faithful Lutheran Christian pastor Who thinks and acts like faithful Lutheran pastors have believed and acted for almost 500 years.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Sep 2014 17:30:03 +0000
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