Lutheran Ping!
Be rooted in Christ!
Posted on 06/26/2015 4:40:14 PM PDT by Mom MD
Please see link I'm not good at posting text And no humble gunner it's not my blog
For all the laws and the MSM and Hollywood pimping the queers will never get what they desire most: acceptance and respect.
This is very well said.
With the courage of those before us like Martin Luther and Dietrich Bonhoeffer we'll prevail over those attempting to force the deification of the State down our throats.
Leni
Today five “justices” (sic) of the Supreme Court, contrary to nature, reason, and moral law, and in violation of the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution they are sworn to uphold, trampled on the rights of states to have laws against homosexual “marriage” (sick). May their names live in infamy: Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Anthony Kennedy, and Sonia Sotomayor.
Of course, I and millions of other Americans will never recognize the legitimacy of their evil and unconstitutional ruling. And as an ordained minister, I will never conduct a homosexual wedding, regardless of the consequences. “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
What I will do is to work to defeat any political candidate who approves of this constitutional and moral abomination. And I will support a presidential candidate who will appoint true justices, in hopes that they will overturn this monstrous decision—along with a similar unconstitutional ruling, i.e., Roe v. Wade (1973), which likewise trampled on the rights of states to have laws against abortion.
God bless you, Pastor Henrickson, for your affirmation of faith and your strength.
Leni/MinuteGal
You do not stand alone.
I’m reading on line from some, so called Christians who embrace gay marriage, say this is wonderful. “Love wins”, is there motto. How do we reach out to those who claim to believe in God but also support gay marriage?
Well said.
I don’t have any pastoral learning, and I’m sure others could answer better. I would start gently but with Truth. Have Scripture ready and pray that the Holy Spirit convicts them. Above all pray for them.
Thank you for standing up for what you believe and what God has taught in His Word.
As an elder in the Church, my hubby is qualified to perform marriage ceremonies, and I am sure he shares your view and would never do this.
We have now in Texas the Pastor Protection Act, signed by our governor, and I hope it stands up in court against this federal perversion!
>> “Love wins”
If it’s about “love”, then why not afford any multiple of “loving” adults the benefits of the ruling...
Be rooted in Christ!
Another fine response was written by Bishop John Bradosky of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC):
June 26, 2015
Dear friends in Christ,
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who declares, “all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” (Matthew 28:18)
Contrary to Jesus’ authority and teaching about marriage that affirms the Father’s intention in creation, the decision by a majority of the justices of the United States Supreme Court today to legalize same-sex marriage in all 50 states is tragic, but not surprising. Many Americans live with the arrogance and delusion that contemporary wisdom makes our understanding superior to the revealed truth of God’s Word. In this context the high court’s ruling redefines relationships and marriage as a right preserved as a matter of human “dignity.” Such dignity is based on an individual determination of fulfillment and morality without regard to external truth or teachings that preserve the greater good of all society. The Supreme Court has foolishly endorsed this idolatry.
The Supreme Court may have the power to dictate what state governments must claim to be marriage, but it most certainly does not have the power to change what God has revealed to be true marriage, an integral part of His plan for human life which is inherent in the order of the world He has created.
God alone knows the long-term consequences of the decision for our nation. Now Christians who uphold the orthodox Christian faith and confess that God alone defines marriage must be bold to confess the truth of God’s Word without regard to the consequences. The North American Lutheran Church will not shrink from the challenge and the opportunity this decision provides. Both our message and our life become even more distinguishable from the confused and misguided state of our cultural context. To that end we will be providing resources to equip all our congregations and pastors to confront an idolatrous culture and government.
Our first response must be one of prayer and careful deliberation. There is no need to panic about each congregation’s right to continue to practice Christian marriage. NALC congregations and pastors can legally continue to teach, preach and practice our confession:
We believe and confess that the marriage of male and female is an institution created and blessed by God. From marriage, God forms families to serve as the building blocks of all human civilization and community. We teach and practice that sexual activity belongs exclusively within the biblical boundaries of a faithful marriage between one man and one woman. (Common Confession 6, Marriage and Family)
A few of our leaders with knowledge of the law and the rights of churches to exercise religious liberty have prepared a helpful guide, “Marriage Law and the Protection of Congregations’ Religious Liberty.” We encourage you to carefully read it and then review your governing documents and policies to ensure that you are consistently in line with our confession of the Christian faith.
The guide is self-explanatory and should be sufficient for congregations charting their way through the turbulent waters in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision. However, if you need help, NALC members with legal backgrounds have volunteered to assist our congregations with these important matters.
Let us pray all the more fervently that our Lord will shield and protect families, and especially children, from the destructive impact of redefining marriage to be whatever sinful human beings desire. Let us not forget that we are bound to follow the One who possesses even greater authority, the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. One day every knee will bend and every tongue confess that He alone is Lord. For us, there is no other option except an obedient response to His Word and His authority.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. John F. Bradosky
Bishop
I will pray. Thank you. I looked over at the my churches facebook page and notice some of the members have that rainbow flag filter over their profile page. I wonder, we sit in the same church, how do they come to that conclusion?
Remember there is a falling away and a huge delusion prophesied for the end times....
In the sem, the current recommendation is to refuse to perform any marriages at all. Have a celebration in the church, but send the couple to a state place to get the certificate.
What’s your opinion?
I would continue to perform marriages at my church. This ruling would not change that. I only perform marriages if at least one of the persons is under my pastoral care, i.e., a member in good standing of my congregation. And by definition, an open active homosexual could not be a member in good standing.
I just wrote a friend about that. She has written an appeasement letter on facebook bashing the “hotheads” who are against gay marriage but trying to please her pro gay friends.
I know, “serving two masters” refers to money but I also think this applies as well. I also pointed out Romans 1 and the seven churches in the book of revelation. I pray people wake up before it’s too late.
You are a good friend and brother or sister in Christ!
A Pastoral Call to Holy Christian Matrimony
. . .The language of "marriage" is now anathema for Christians in America. We practice something different than the State practices even though, for the purposes of the State, our Christian Matrimony is legally recognized. For this reason, American Christians should eschew and reject the language of "marriage" and call what we do in the house of God what it is. We don't have weddings, we celebrate services of Holy Christian Matrimony. Christians are not "married," we are in the sacrosanct Estate of Christian Matrimony.
Bible believing Christian Congregations should update their organizational documents to reflect what we really practice, replacing language of marriage with Christian Matrimony. Hymnal publishers should change services of "marriage" to a "Celebration of Holy Christian Matrimony." Christians in the public eye, especially, should no longer speak of "marriage," but distinguish who we are as Christians by speaking of Christian Matrimony.
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