Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Resolution 3-01A Is Adopted

Resolution 3-01A, To Commend ILC and Task Force Statements as Responses to the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly Actions, on page 424 of Monday's Today's Business, was adopted without debate. It should have been a stronger statement.

Resolved, That the LCMS join with the ILC in declaring “our resolve to approach those with homosexual inclinations with the deepest possible Christian love and pastoral concern, in whatever situation they may be living” (“Same-Gender Relationships,” 2010 CW, p. 66); and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS recognize that “Our Lord’s intentional outreach to those who were marginalized and excluded during His earthly ministry is a reminder that the Scriptural judgments against homosexual behavior must not become the cause for hatred, violence, or an unwillingness to extend the Gospel’s promises of forgiveness and reconciliation to the homosexual or any person caught in sin’s traps” (“Theological Implications,” 2010 CW, p. 15); and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS affirm that love for the neighbor includes not only that we accept and welcome (Luke 15:1-2) our neighbor as a fellow human creature for whom Christ has died and risen, but also that we speak the truth of God’s Word to our neighbor; and be it further



Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention commend the statement of the ILC, “Same-Gender Relation- ships and the Church,” (CW, p. 66) for study and reference; and be it further

Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention commend the President’s task force statement, “Theological Implications of the 2009 ELCA Decisions,” for study and reference; and be it finally

Resolved, That the 2010 LCMS convention affirm that

• “[W]here the Bible speaks clearly regarding matters of human values, conduct, or behavior, such teachings may not be denied or qualified, but must have continuing relevance in every era of the Church” (“Theological Implications,” 2010 CW, p. 15);
• “[T]he LCMS believes and teaches that same-gender genital sexual activity–in every situation– violates the will of our Creator and must be recognized as sin” (“Theological Implications,” 2010 CW, p. 15);
• “Though we affirm the demands of God’s Law without reservation, we Christians confess that the sins of the world have been forgiven through Christ’s suffering and death on the cross” (“Same-Gender Relationships,” 2010 CW, p. 66);
• “Loving, compassionate recognition of the deep pain and personal struggles that same-sex inclinations produce in many individuals, families, and congregations may not be neglected in the name of moral purity” (“Theological Implications,” 2010 CW, p. 15); and
• “The healing voice of Jesus—Sacred Scripture—seeks to lead us into the richness of the life God intends for us. Prohibitions against adultery, homosexuality, and promiscuity of any sort are kind words, warning us against behavior that would diminish or destroy human wholeness” (“Theological Implications,” 2010 CW, p. 15).

No comments: