Boneheads

 

The “Boneheads” of the NALC

Boneheaded. Prejudiced. Narrow minded. Homophobic. These are just a few of the epitaphs that I have seen and heard from ELCA folks describing the people who left their ELCA church for an NALC church. After all, how else could one describe people who leave the ELCA because of their close mindedness about the ELCA position on homosexuality in the clergy?

It is a simple easily understood argument. But it is a shallow argument. It is also deceptive and wrong. The homosexuality issue is but the tip of a rather large iceberg. This paper takes a layman's peek under the surface to see just a few major issues in this iceberg.

But first, let's recall that behavior is guided by values. Values come from beliefs. Well, that's the way it's supposed to work. In fact, when people find that their behaviors belie their values, they very often change their values to conform to their behavior because that's easier than changing one's behavior to fit into their values. Once their values change, their beliefs must also change. Most folks that I know have followed this “behavior first/beliefs last” model rather unwittingly. The ELCA, however, has been most purposeful and indeed rigorous about adopting and following this model.

Let's look first at the Scriptures. The ELCA commissioned several congregational studies of the Scriptural view of homosexuality. These studies overwhelmingly found that homosexuality is not condoned by the Scriptures. These findings were not the ELCA desired results. So, what to do? Rewrite Scripture? Can't do that, but they can (and did) rewrite footnotes. Most importantly, they changed the interpretation of Scripture.

We NALC Lutherans believe that the Scriptures are the inspired word of God; some other Lutherans believe that the Scriptures are the inerrant word of God. Scriptures reveal Truth. The ELCA has changed its position so as to view the Scriptures as the inspired word of God as interpreted through the lens of contemporary values.

What then happens to Truth? Does truth change from generation to generation? Does Truth change from individual to individual because individual interpretations differ? Truth is gone! Truth is replaced by what the ELCA calls “bound conscience”. In a nutshell, bound conscience means that if a behavior that an individual determines is “right” as defined by the constraints of his conscience, then that behavior is acceptable to the ELCA. Since individual consciences are formed from incoming information and entertainment, I must conclude that the media and Hollywood define behavioral norms and that the ELCA by definition accepts these norms.

So Snoop Dogg and Snooki now play a major role in defining behavioral norms acceptable to the ELCA Hey now, you say, isn't this a bit unfair? Engineers have a discipline that a very effective way to test a hypothesis is to try the variables at or near their limits and see what results are produced by that hypothesis. But the Snooki variable is not nearly so close to the limits as are examples set by the ELCA clergy. Just try a Google of “ELCA Islam”. Compare your findings to Martin Luther's reference to Muhammad as “a devil and first-born child of Satan.”

Then there is social justice. Where and why did the ELCA come up with that one? Perhaps their new found stance on social justice stems from their perception of the oppression of the “homosexual community.” A belief in social justice inevitably leads to a belief in works righteousness. But how can one believe in works righteousness and also believe in grace? One clearly cannot hold both beliefs. Luther's belief in God's grace is the underpinning of the whole reformation and has no place for works righteousness nor social justice.

Social justice means an opposition to oppression. Well, that kind of sounds good. But what did Jesus say about oppression? One clear example of oppression in Jesus' time and in nearly all of civilized history is the example of slavery. Surely, slavery is a rather extreme example of oppression. But what did Jesus say about slaves, masters, and slavery? Look it up. Social justice is a clear example of a modern day value that does not have its roots in Scripture.

Let's summarize.

• Replace the “beliefs leads to values which control behavior” model with a “behavior dictates changes in values which lead to new beliefs” model.
• Change the interpretation of Scripture so that Scripture must be interpreted through the lens of contemporary values.
• Toss out truth. Replace it which bound conscience and flexible interpretations of Scripture, i.e., relativism.
• Adopt a belief in social justice and therefore a belief in works righteousness. Oh, yeah, as a result, discard grace.
• Let's do all this stuff so as to give homosexuals their “rightful” place in the clergy.

The ELCA and other churches have moved from a position of Truth to a position of Relativism. Since the days of the early church, there has been a tension between Truth and Relativism. The church has historically swung between these two positions, much like a pendulum. Unlike a pendulum which swings as a function of time, the church swings as a function of socioeconomics. When times are good, people feel socially and financially secure and have little need for God or church. The church attempts to stay relevant by abdicating its leadership role through a Godforsaking scramble to Relativism. When times are tough and people need God and church, the church reverts to Truth. But, no matter how far and how long the church swings from Truth to Relativism, there is always a remnant of Christians that faithfully clings to Truth.

Earl Franklin
NALC Layman
August 10, 2011