LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 114

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Persecuted for Your Faith, Part II
Evangelical Lutheran Mission Diocese Bishop Rev. Dr. Juhana Pohjola
68th Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod • August 1, 2023
Have you insulted homosexuals as a group on the basis of their sexual
orientation? Are you willing to take the pamphlet away from your
website in two weeks? Do you follow the Finnish national law or the
words of the Bible?
As a pastor I’m used to many kind of questions, but I could have
never imagined that I would have to answer these and many
other questions in police interrogation and in the courtroom to
the state prosecutor. When we published the pamphlet “Male
and Female He Made Them: Homosexual relationships
challenge the Christian concept of humanity” with the help of
the Lutheran Heritage Foundation year 2004 we could not have
imagined how fast our society would change for Christians
from neutral to negative and hostile. This long legal process has
been an eye-opening experience. Mrs. Räsänen, a wonderful
Lutheran lady, has carried the heaviest load but the case is
really not about us. It is not about possibility that we are found
guilty and we have to pay fines. It is not even about the
precedent case this might become on European level for future
hate speech trials. It is not even question about this punitive
legal process, which has already had a chilling effect in our
society: watch out what you say. I’m even more worried about
the cultural trend to value higher right not to be offended rather
than the freedom of expression. What happens to our ability to
function as free society if the driving force become victimhood,
fear, and censorship instead of open and free argumentative
debate.
The irony is that we are accused of discrimination but what is
the title of the booklet: “Male and Female He Made Them.” That
everyone possesses an inherent worth has its origins not in
French Revolution, nor in the Declaration of Independence but
in the creation narrative of the Bible. Every human being is an
image of God. This is the basis that we are all equal and share
the inherent dignity no matter what one’s sexual life may be.
However, I am convinced that this is not only a legal case nor a
cultural battle but a spiritual one. The pamphlet addresses
specifically the question of homosexuality, but that is not the
real issue. It goes deeper to the question what is marriage and
even more what is a human being and eventually who is God.
Not only every individual human being, body and soul united,
is an image of God, but marriage reflects the equal and
complementary loving union of the Holy Trinity. The question
is who is the Incarnated Son, true God and true man with soul
and body united in one person. The Gospel of Christ is at stake!
Mrs. Räsänen writes in the Booklet: “The Church is guilty of
discrimination against homosexuals if they are not allowed to
hear the full truth of the Word of God, which includes both the
Law and the Gospel.” We all need in our broken sexuality to

114 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

hear the Law and the Gospel of forgiveness of sins! We are
called to share the wonderful news that we have our true
identity as baptized children of God! But we see how the
rainbow flag divides church bodies one after another. We must
understand how this great deception wipes over whole
Christendom and act accordingly and be ready to pay the price
joyfully. So dear brothers and sisters in the LCMS: Stand firm in
Christ and in His Word!
We stand here neither as victims nor as heroes but as your
fellow servants of Christ. This case has been our Lord’s doing
from the day one. After all it is about His created order and His
revealed Word. The court case has not been a curse to us but a
blessing. Our Good Lord has allowed it to happen and it has
been His favor toward us. We have received so much
encouragement and prayers from the member churches of the
International Lutheran Council and beyond from many
Christians from different denominations. I have received
personally so much encouragement from the LCMS
individuals, congregations and seminaries, letters, emails,
postcards—thank you! I want to express my gratitude also to
President Harrison for his unwavering support. We have
received assistance from organizations like Alliance Defending
Freedom. In this disordered world we have been given
opportunity to speak in media of the good order of creation and
in this guilt driven and power struggle centered time witness
about true forgiveness in Christ Jesus! Maybe we have been able
to encourage someone in their struggle to stand firm on the
biblical ground. We pray that this legal process would serve His
good purpose and we would be faithful in His service!
A few days before we had to appear at the district court I was a
bit nervous and yes, even fearful because I did not know what
to expect. First time in court! Then a friend came and gave me a
card, which had this passage written from prophet Isaiah:
“Behold all who are incensed against you shall be put to shame
and confounded, those who strive against you shall be as
nothing and shall perish. … Those who war against you shall be
as nothing at all. For I the Lord your God hold your right hand:
it is I who say to you: Fear not I am the one who helps you”
(Isaiah 40:11–13).
Fear is the first enemy in this fight and silencing the truth the
first casualty.
Dear brothers and sisters, why should we be fearful? What
should we be afraid of? If God is for us, who can be against us
(Rom. 8:31)? So let us all boldly and joyfully, in love and truth
keep on confessing Christ crucified!
The Lord be with you all!

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