LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2010, Page 113

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3. Theology and Church Relations
To Commend ILC and Task Force Statements
as Responses to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide
Assembly Actions
RESOLUTION 3-01A
Overtures 3-11–12 (CW, p. 168)
Whereas, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) at its August 2009 Churchwide Assembly in
Minneapolis resolved to recognize “publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships” as morally
acceptable and to authorize the ordination into pastoral ministry of individuals who are living in such relationships; and
Whereas, The Bible plainly forbids all same-gender genital sexual activity as contrary to the will of God and contrary
to nature (e .g ., Lev . 18:22; Rom . 1:26–27; 1 Cor . 6:9–10); and
Whereas, The Scriptures teach that God created man and
woman for one another and that, according to His blessing and
design, they may be united in marriage and become one flesh
in the sexual union which also may result in the procreation
of children (Gen . 1:26–28; Gen . 2:18–25); and
Whereas, Our Lord warns us about the danger of false
teaching (e .g ., Matt . 7:15–17); and
Whereas, The ELCA actions have received wide publicity
in our nation’s press, and many may think that all “Lutherans”
share these beliefs; and
Whereas, Many Lutherans and other Christians throughout
the world have expressed dismay over and disagreement with
the ELCA resolutions and the fact that they depart from Holy
Scripture and 2,000 years of Christian tradition; and
Whereas, The International Lutheran Council (ILC),
comprising 34 member churches, unanimously adopted the
statement “Same-Gender Relationships and the Church” in
opposition to the claims of various Lutheran church bodies
“that sexually active, same-gender relationships are an acceptable way of life for Christians” (2010 Convention Workbook
[CW], p . 66); and
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has
been asked by individuals, organizations, congregations,
national church bodies, and others to declare its understanding of these issues; and
Whereas, It would be unloving and uncaring for the LCMS
to take no action with respect to the heterodox actions of the
ELCA; and
Whereas, Holy Scripture calls us to speak the truth in love
(Eph . 4:15; see also 2 Thess . 2:10; 1 Peter 1:22; 2 John 1:1) and
such love involves heartfelt concern, tenderness, and humility
(1 Peter 3:8; see also Eph . 4:2; Col . 3:12); and
Whereas, President Gerald B . Kieschnick has on several occasions spoken publicly in opposition to the decisions
regarding homosexuality by the ELCA Churchwide Assembly
(e .g ., 2010 CW, pp . 12–13) and also formed the Task Force on
Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions; and

Committee 3 Chairman Jon Diefenthaler

Whereas, The task force unanimously adopted a statement,
which the President endorsed and published, responding to the
ELCA Churchwide Assembly actions (March 15, 2010—see
2010 CW, pp . 14–18); and
Whereas, LCMS leaders have discussed the task force
document with ELCA leaders; and
Whereas, This issue “impacts the Gospel itself . A church
body’s acceptance of homosexual activity promotes a false
security about behavior and conduct which God has forbidden
and from which He longs to redeem us . As such, it leads to a
false gospel: to self-justification rather than that justification
for repentant sinners which God has promised to all who trust
in His forgiving mercy through the death and resurrection of
His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (“Theological Implications,”
2010 CW, p . 17); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS join with the ILC in declaring
“our resolve to approach those with homosexual inclinations
with the deepest possible Christian love and pastoral concern,
in whatever situation they may be living” (“Same-Gender
Relationships,” 2010 CW, p . 66); and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS recognize that “Our Lord’s intentional outreach to those who were marginalized and excluded
during His earthly ministry is a reminder that the Scriptural judgments against homosexual behavior must not become the cause
for hatred, violence, or an unwillingness to extend the Gospel’s
promises of forgiveness and reconciliation to the homosexual or
any person caught in sin’s traps” (“Theological implications,”
2010 CW, p . 15); and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS affirm that love for the neighbor
includes not only that we accept and welcome (Luke 15:1–2)
our neighbor as a fellow human creature for whom Christ has

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2010 Convention Proceedings