Posted on 07/14/2004 12:58:21 AM PDT by Free2Be49
[LCMSNews] Synod affirms man-woman marriage
From: "LCMS e-News" LCMSENEWS@lcms.org
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 14:09:24 -0500
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July 13, 2004.. LCMSNews -- 04-SC21-DM3
Worldwide Faith News
http://www.wfn.org/2004/07/msg00110.html
Missouri Synod affirms marriage as lifelong one man-one woman union
ST. LOUIS: By a nearly unanimous vote, delegates to the 62nd Regular Convention of The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod today (July 13) affirmed, on the basis of Scripture, marriage as the lifelong union of one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:5-6).
More than 98 percent of the delegates supported the resolution, which was adopted 1,163 to 22.
The resolution urges members of the Synod to give a public witness from Scripture against the social acceptance and legal recognition of homosexual marriage.
Noting that there are calls in American society for legal recognition of same-sex unions as marriages, the convention said, For our Synod to be silent, especially in the present context, could be viewed as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle.
The resolution notes that homosexual behavior is prohibited in the Old and New Testaments as contrary to the Creator's design, citing Lev. 18:22,24; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 1 Tim. 1:10; and Rom. 1:26-27. An amendment attached to the resolution without debate adds that God gave marriage as a picture of the relationship between Christ and His bride, the Church (Eph. 5:32).
The convention urged Synod members to deal with sexual sins with the same love and concern as all other sins, calling for repentance and offering forgiveness in the Good News of Jesus Christ when there is repentance.
The convention noted that the Synod already in 1973 said that it recognized homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful. The convention continued that the church's proper evangelical work is to proclaim the reconciliation of the sinner to God in the death of Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-19).
A Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families, published by the Synod is 1999, was commended by the convention as a resource and guide for pastoral care. The document may be downloaded at www.lcms.org/minhomfam .
The resolution adopted today also resolves that husbands and wives give thanks to God for the blessings of marriage, lead a chaste and decent life, and each love and honor one's spouse.
There was no real debate on the resolution. Several speakers encouraged a unanimous vote, noting the current debate on same-sex unions, including current discussions in the U.S. Senate on a constitutional amendment addressing the issue.
The convention is the highest legislative authority in the 2.5 million-member Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. It is meeting through Thursday morning at America's Center here.
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If you have questions or comments about this LCMSNews release, contact Joe Isenhower Jr. at joe.isenhower@lcms.org or Paula Schueter Ross at paula.ross@lcms.org .
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I'm somewhat surprised it wasn't unanimous. Oh well, 98% isn't a very shabby majority. :-)
Bishop Hanson is very very saddened.
Hallelujah on the 98%! Next question after identifying the 22 is: When can they expect the visit from their elder beginning the church discipline process?
Some of them may have accidentally voted against the measure.
IMHO, the Ephesians reference, as well as the verses about God's establishment of the male/female structure of humanity and of marriage in Genesis, and Jesus' affiirmation of the same in the Gospels, are the best references. They show what God loves, which no homosexual "union" can be any more than a gross, demonic parody of!!! (Of course, the whole lesbigay "culture" is ALL about parody and mockery, isn't it?)
I'm looking forward to the Lutheran Forum Letter's articles on the LCMS happenings, both on Kieschnick and on the marriage issue. (I expect to see such articles in a month or two.)
The marraige vote of the LCMS may add to the growing pressure on the ELCA powers-that-be to back off from the "gay resolutions". They are afraid of orthodox members and congregations leaving (including to LCMS), or cutting back even further on donations, and otherwise cutting off support to the revisionist cabal that runs the ELCA. Of course, as has been discussed in this forum, even if they rescind the "gay resolutions", that does not mean that the orthodox have won, or even that the ELCA will be hospitable enough for them to remain in and support it.
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