Faithful Conversation: Christian Perspectives on Homosexuality, ed.James M. Childs Jr. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003. viii + 132pp. $9.00. A Commentary by way of a Review I had intended to write a review, not a commentary flowing from a review. Furthermore, the review taking shape in my head was negative. I now begin this review fully aware […]
Archives for June 2016
A “Yes” in Kansas City
ALPB Conference on Christian Sexuality, Ruskin Heights Lutheran Church, Kansas City, MO, October 2002 Report and Reflections by Wayne R. Cowell They came to the heartland from every state except Hawaii, and some from Canada. Conference organizer Russell Saltzman had been clear about what they should expect. In his announcement (Forum Letter, Vol. 31, No. […]
A Conservative Case for Recognition of Gay Relationships in the Church
So far, I have been very dissatisfied with the discussion of the proposals for same-sex holy unions and ordination of sexually active homosexual clergy in the ELCA. The discussion keeps being presented as a debate between “liberals” and “conservatives” or between “progressives” and “traditionalists,” with the former supposed to be in support of the radical […]
Reflections on Experiencing Leadership of Gay Clergy
Ross Merkel is the pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Oakland, California. Saint Paul, an ELCA congregation, is a growing, joyful church with outstanding worship, education, fellowship, and service to the community. I have been a member of St. Paul’s for five years. About a year ago, in the middle of a dialogue sermon, […]
Recognizing God’s Blessings: Holy Unions and the Ordination of Women and Men in Same-Sex Relationships
In 1991 the ELCA voted to welcome all people regardless of their sexual orientation into membership in their congregations. This was reaffirmed in 1995. In 1993, the Metropolitan Chicago Synod became a “Reconciling in Christ” Synod, by affirming that “gay and lesbian people share with all others the worth that comes from being loved and […]
Latino Lutheran Ministries – An Exchange
Writing in First Things (“While We’re At It,” April 2003, pg. 84), Richard John Neuhaus probed issues raised by Keith Forni in Let’s Talk (“The Allure of Catholicity: Latino Lutheran Ministries in the Crosshairs,” Vol.7.2, Christmas 2002). Readers will recall that Forni was responding to an article in the Chicago Sun Times: “Are Lutherans pretending […]
Bibliography of Major Works on Sexuality and the Church
Analyses Supporting Union Blessings and Ordination Issue Boswell, John. Christianity, Social Tolerance, and Homosexuality: Gay People in Western Europe from the Beginning of the Christian Era to the Fourteenth Century. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1980. Brooten, Bernadette J. Love Between Women: Early Christian Responses to Female Homoeroticism. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1996. Countryman, […]
AS I SEE IT: REASONS TO AVOID SCHISM
As the ELCA pursues the study of the issues on the gay agenda laid before the 2005 Churchwide Assembly, one of the ominous things one hears is talk of a schism of significant proportions. Proponents of the gay agenda have been reported to have said that the ELCA may have to lose a couple of […]
WHY LUTHERANS CAN’T TALK ABOUT SEXUALITY
I’ve got a big problem. Two of them, actually. I’ve been asked to contribute this little essay on sexuality, and on the ELCA’s current study of sexuality, including the examination of questions about blessing same-sex unions and ordaining gays and lesbians in active and committed relationships. The problem is that I have very little to […]
Thinking about Sexuality in the ELCA
The word “think” in my title is significant. In a recent discussion among a group of our conference’s pastors about the sexuality issues now facing the ELCA, the presenter, sometime professor of pastoral care in one of our ELCA seminaries, made the comment that “when we confuse the pastoral issues with the theological/confessional ones, we […]
Reflections on the LSTC Leadership Conference: A More Excellent Way
Early in 2002 the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago sponsored Leadership Conference 2002 A More Excellent Way: Addressing Sexuality in the Church. Its intent was articulated: The wider church has called us to study sexuality. Events in the world have made us vividly aware that embodied life is to be treasured. Thus, it is […]
In Praise of Languages
Die Sprachen sind die Scheide darinnen das Messer des Geistes steckt. Luther (The languages are the sheath containing the sword of the Spirit) Since my retirement on January 1, 2002 I have had the privilege seldom accorded to an active pastor: I’ve been able to worship from the pew, being an active participant but not […]
Liturgy in the Service of Evangelism
The Witness of the Worshiping Community: Liturgy and the Practice of Evangelism by Frank C. Senn, Paulist Press, New York/Mahwah, NJ, 1993. A Synopsis Compiled by Joyce M. Bowers This book has particular significance to the theme of this issue. Although it was written a dozen years ago when the church growth movement with its […]
The Allure of Catholicity: Latino Lutheran Ministries in the Crosshairs
My colleague from across town was being customarily succinct. His message was tinged with a sense of urgency and concern. “You need to pick up a copy of today’s Chicago Sun Times.” He read me only the headline from the (August 20, 2002) front page: “Are Lutherans pretending to be Catholic to lure Hispanics?” Lutherans […]
“With the Greatest Reverence”: Lutheran and Roman Catholic Worship
Our churches are falsely accused of abolishing the Mass. Actually, the Mass is retained among us and is celebrated with the greatest reverence. (Augsburg Confession, Article XXIV) The liturgy is about to begin. The congregation stands as the processional cross leads the ministers down the center aisle. People bow as the cross passes. After the […]