The American Spectator

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/p> p> ANACHRONISTIC CHRISTICS br> Re: Mark Tooley's Martin Luther Comes Out : /p> p>So, Ms. Stange believes that all the dead Protestant reformers would embrace modern attempts to re-write Scripture and enthusiastically affirm homosexuality in all its permutations if only they had lived in our benighted and enlightened age. It appears to me that she and others pushing this nonsense are using the following logically fallacious reasoning in order to make their case: (1) The old reformers were rebels. (2) The new reformers consider themselves rebels. Therefore, (3) the old and new reformers are in agreement in all matters of faith and practice. Or, maybe they are hoping that the people they are trying to convince are as ignorant of their own church history and source of authority as they are. Martin Luther never sought to undermine the orthodox teachings of Scripture as Ms. Stange seeks to do. Originally, he desired to clean up the distortions of the sacred text and end the corruption within the hierarchy of the Roman church leadership. That is hardly the same thing as attempts by liberals within mainline denominations to make Scripture conform to their preferred view of sexuality. Martin Luther risked everything to preserve what they are trying to re-interpret. br> -- Rick Arand br> Lee's Summit, Missouri /p>

We Lutherans are well known for our theology of "properly dividing Law and Gospel." Many Lutherans, however, have dropped the Law in favor of an open-ended Gospel which accepts everyone -- especially those who are purported to be society's outcasts. "Gospel freedom" is said to mean accepting and affirming homosexuals and their "lifestyle." Anyone opposed is cast as ready to don the white sheets and firing up the ovens. In anticipation of the adoption of "liberated" policies for homosexual Pastors and same-sex unions, the leadership has appealed to orthodox Lutherans by saying the ELCA is inclusive and so they still could share in the wonderful fellowship of the ELCA dispute their differences. The orthodox are not buying it. They know that it would not be long before any dissent from the pro-homosexual policy would be ruthlessly suppressed. The orthodox also know the real question is what will our children and grandchildren in Sunday School and catechism classes be taught? Very few have any illusions of what would happen.

p>All Lutherans believe the Gospel is the very meaning of Christ and that which is the only thing which will save us. But Luther clearly taught that the Law is also the Word of God. While the Law cannot save, it is good. In Luther's fine distinction, the "Christian" does not need the Law; but the "creature" does. In this world and until His return, Christ's disciples live both as "Christian" and "creature" at the same time. Luther also said faith is a funny thing. Those who boast of great faith often have none while those who despair of little to any faith often have much. Many homosexuals (as many others in the deepest of sin) will walk into heaven before us because as Christians their love of Christ was more pure. As we taught to say in catechism, "That is most certainly true." Even still, that doesn't make sin right. When Jesus turned away the crowd that was about to stone the woman caught in adultery, He said ".".neither do I condemn you." He also ended saying, "Go and sin no more." br> --

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