Comments on: Fifteen Minnesota churches leaving ELCA over gay pastor vote

By: Maxine

Maxine — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 17:41:52 +0000

I read some of the comments. I wonder how many have done a research on “has the word homosexual always been translated as homosexual”. What I found was that it appears that none of the words “homosexual” were in the original copies that we have. Then, your reply may be: But, the Bible says “you should not lay with someone of the same sex, as is unnatural”. Well, I guess that if you are born gay, then,it would be natural to lay with someone of the same sex and unnatural to try to be hetrosexual.

Again – you might bring up the story of Sodom & Gomorrah. Well, I understand that there were probably about 6,000 people in that city at that time and it says of all ages. There must have been children there. If all of the people were homosexual and that was a homosexual event – How did the children get there. Some must have been hetro-sexual. And, were the visitors men or angels? Different translations use different words there. There are some different places in the Bible where it lists the sins of Sodom & Gomorrah, and homosexuality is not among those sins.

Go to “Religious Tolerance” website and see what it says there.

By: Kevin Woestehoff

Kevin Woestehoff — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:10:43 +0000

Mr. Birkey,

You have loads of misinformation as Michelle Rowell has pointed out. My parents belong to Redeemer Lutheran of Henderson and that congregation has by no means started any process to leave the ELCA.

I hope you do the responsible thing (or have already done so) by pointing out your sloppy reporting and providing a retraction.

My tone is definitely one of frustration. This is a sensitive topic to begin with. Irresponsible reporting like this by Mr. Birkey, has inflamed the conversation with rumors and misinformation.

By: Ernst

Ernst — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:10:25 +0000

People read Bible In James its clearly said that gay people can`t inherit the kingdom of God.Don`t fool yourself if you can not and don`t want to get rid of your sin you are slave of your sin.By the way Thats one of the greatest sins.God destroyed cities for that.Wake up.GO REPENT and follow the way of Christ.And thats not the first time that gay agenda trying to raice.In revalation When Jesus send message to churches he mentioned “sect of nikolaits”God`s exactly words were ‘I hate whate they doing’Either you will repent and fight that sin or whoever going to approove your behavior pastor or pop or any authority you going end up in Hell.

By: Roger

Roger — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:40:22 +0000

Jude 1:4 (New International Version)
4For certain men whose condemnation was written about[a] long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

By: John

John — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:06:48 +0000

Marie: you are a reprobate, and you are speaking from the perspective of your father. The Bible speaks of this clearly. You are doing your father’s work. Your father is Satan and you are unregenerated. It does no good to argue with the likes of you if you are not one of the Elect. We will, however, pray for you.

By: Michelle Rowell

Michelle Rowell — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 23:38:03 +0000

Andy Birkey makes an incorrect assumption in his closing statement. Congregations that have adopted the “Common Confession” under Lutheran Core have NOT necessarily “started the process of leaving the ELCA.” On the contrary, a congregation might wish to adopt this “Common Confession” in order to stay within the fellowship of the ELCA, while making clear that the congregation has misgivings about certain stances the ELCA as a whole has made. The ELCA allows for this, and has called for ELCA members with differing views to respect each other. I see little respect in many of the comments posted above.

What kind of God do we proclaim, one of vengeance or one of mercy? If God is only vengeance, then we are all condemned already. If God is mercy, then God forgives. Our sin is forgiven…

Paul wrote, asking whether we should sin on purpose in order to obtain more grace, and answering with a resounding “No!”

Living a “righteous” life may not be possible for us. None of us wants our “unrighteous” behavior defined as sin. Yet, all of us sin, falling short of God’s glory (even Paul). Thankfully, we do not depend upon our righteousness to save us. We depend on God’s righteousness.

By: Raycol

Raycol — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 21:44:38 +0000

While the Bible does prohibit sex between men (homosexuality), it can nevertheless be shown that the prohibition does not apply today when the sexual activity causes no harm. Also the prohibition does not apply today because it applied only to the ancient Israelite and Roman cultures. The Bible criticizes, but does not prohibit, sex between women. Full reasons for these conclusions are given on the Gay and Christian website (www.gaysandslaves.com).

By: Jr

Jr — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:19:48 +0000

It seems like these congregations are planning to leave just because ONE of their views doesn’t line up with most of the ELCA. If their views needed to line up exactly with the general views of their denomination, then every church might as well have their own.

By: Marie

Marie — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:00:08 +0000

MN Guy… Only correction to your statement it was over centuries actually that they were complied, and to also add, there are many many many many books not added used that are part of that complied book.

Its a pick and choose what moral codes they want to follow suit. And those have been through out history any which one that will advance their pocketbooks and power station. Not at all to do with Faith.

By: MN guy

MN guy — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:49:07 +0000

Fifteen churches would rather follow a few selected paragraphs from a book complied over decades of oral tradition in a misogynist racist, violent, male dominated culture than examine their values and discover the true meaning of love. Let them go wander in the desert of hate if that is their desire.