Thank you to the three professors at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (LCMS), who have written powerful, definitive, Scriptural, and confessional responses to documents from ReconcilingWorks, an organization that seeks to give a Biblical basis for affirming the LGBTQ+ lifestyle and for fully welcoming LGBTQ+ people into the life of the church, including as rostered leaders of the church.

I highly recommend their articles to you.  Among the people who I believe would especially be interested are –

Those who hold to the traditional, Biblical view and who are looking for resources to help them defend and advocate for that view

Those who are genuinely seeking and wondering – with so many voices to the contrary – if the traditional, Biblical view is plausible and defensible

Dr. Thomas Egger, president of the seminary and professor of exegetical theology, has written a review of Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans: Sexuality and Gender Identity.  A link to his review can be found here.  Dr. Egger’s thesis, which he defends admirably and in great detail, can be found in the opening and closing paragraphs of his article.  “Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans does not carefully listen to and apply the Bible as God’s authoritative Word to the matter of human sexuality and gender identity, but rather offers creative ways to employ Biblical language and theological categories to confirm a set of convictions that have been arrived at on other grounds.” (page 18) 

Dr. Joel Biermann, professor of systematic theology, has written “An Evaluation and Reaction” to another document from ReconcilingWorks – Lutheran Introduction to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression.  A link to his article can be found here.  A few phrases from his article will reveal his major point, which he makes clearly and supports strongly.

“Considering the remarkable prominence given the word Lutheran on the cover, it seems clear that the intent of the document is to provide teaching from and for Lutheran Christians.  Yet after the first sentence, Lutheran appears once more (pg. 6), church makes a similar fleeting singular appearance (pg. 2), and the word Christian is absent.  Most remarkable of all, perhaps, there is no reference or even allusion to Jesus or God anywhere in the document.” (page 1)

“Another word noticeably, but unsurprisingly, absent from the document is sin.  Presumably, the discovery and celebration of one’s individual, self-identified, identity offers no quarter for an idea like sin. . . . Given the suppression of sin in the document, it is hardly surprising that Jesus makes not even a cameo appearance.  With no sin, what need is there of a savior; and with my identity and self-expression determined by myself who needs, or wants, a Lord?” (pages 2-3)

Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of exegetical theology and dean of ministerial formation, has also written a response to Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans.  A link to his article can be found here.  A friend of Lutheran CORE wrote, “It is at once thoroughly charitable in its response, humble and honest in self-examination, empathetic to the plight of LGBTQ+ persons . . . thoughtful in genuinely trying to understand the perspective of LGBTQ+ affirming persons . . . – and yet unflinching in telling the truth about homosexuality and transgenderism from a confessional Lutheran, traditional sexual ethics perspective.”

As a retired pastor who is rostered in a Lutheran church body that has contained on the homepage of its website links to resources from ReconcilingWorks, and whose presiding bishop did not give me the courtesy of responding to my email when I asked her why the ELCA website never also contains links to resources with traditional views (thus violating the spirit and language of the 2009 social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which acknowledged that people within “this church” hold a number of views, including traditional views, “with conviction and integrity,”) I found it refreshing and encouraging that another church body would have professors at one of its seminaries that would write clearly and compellingly in support of traditional, Biblical, moral values.

I highly recommend these three articles to you. 

“These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Some produce a religion that makes us go through steps in order to receive the promise.  Jesus has promised that as many as believe are saved.  We have faith and in that faith we are to live.  Do not fall back into the elemental things of this world, but live according to the promise you have received in Christ.  In Him is all grace and mercy.  Through Him alone is the eternal salvation He has promised.

Heavenly Father, You know the plans You have for each one of us.  Before we were in the womb, You knew us.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of true life so that I will not be caught up in systems or things that would detract from knowing You.  Help me now and always to see that in You alone is all hope and the glory of an eternity spent with You.  Please let nothing get in the way of this hope.

Lord Jesus, guide me today and every day to walk humbly in the path of salvation.  Guide me in the way You know I need to go and help me to not veer from its path.  Jesus, You alone have saved me and in You alone is all hope.  Help me to see through the things of this world that I may not cling to earthly treasures.  Let me give up nonessentials that I may be with You forever.  Amen.

“Which all refer to things destined to perish with use – in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men?” (Colossians 2:22)

The things of the Lord are the things of the Lord.  The things of this world are the things of this world.  What God has created – the perishable things of this world – will indeed perish.  God has created you to live with Him forever.  Come then and live into the life to which you have been called and do not live for those things which will perish.  In Him is life; it is not found in the things of this world.

Lord, grant me wisdom to see clearly how easily I fall for working so hard for the things that do not matter while not caring about the things that do.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of truth so that I may now and always humbly abide in You and the promise You have given me through Christ.  Help me to focus on necessary things, laying aside the inessential things of this world so that I may live into the promise of being Your child.

Lord Jesus, You came and taught us to prioritize our lives around the eternal things You showed us.  Guide me Lord in order that I may humbly walk in the truth of Your revelation and live into the life as a child of the Most High.  Teach me all that this means and keep my eye upon the prize.  Lead me, O Lord, and help me by Your Spirit to willingly follow wherever You lead.  Thank You for these gifts.  Amen.

“If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”  (Colossians 2:10-21)

I have seen this too many times to not point out to you, dear friend, that it will do you good to pay attention to this.  You are not here to please others, but the Lord who made you.  Yes, be sensitive to others, but know that this is for love’s sake and has nothing to do with the law.  You are free, but do what is profitable for your faith.  Smile and love those who promote these things, but live freely.

Lord, grant Your heart to me so that I may live in the freedom You give.  Guide me to see where I need to be sensitive and where I need to simply walk away and do what needs (or should) be done.  In all things, help me to see that it is You alone whom I am to please.  You gave us rules for proper conduct, Lord; help me not to fall prey to any other’s ideas of propriety.  Guide me now and always in what is good, right and salutary.

Lord Jesus, You have given me Your Spirit to lead me every moment in the way I should go.  Let me not fall into the snares of the wicked one who would trap me with a false sense of propriety.  In all things, lead me to be sensitive, but firm, so that I may live life as You would have me.  Guide me today and every day in the way of truth and teach me how to live this life in Your freedom.  Amen.

“[A]nd not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God” (Colossians 2:19).

To whom are you attached?  To what do you belong?  How do you function?  Many live for themselves and do not truly consider being a part of any whole.  The Lord offers that we come into Him and He into us so that we may grow in His likeness and be a part of what He is knitting together.  This is the mystery of the church.  This is the gift of life in Christ.  It is life itself.

Lord, the culture I am in accentuates self above all else.  Help me to realize that You are my Creator and that there can be no life worth living apart from You.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may walk humbly with You, my God, and learn from You how to live this life You have given me.  Show me the way You would have me go and let nothing hinder the walk You have planned for me.

Lord Jesus, You have come that as many as will walk in the light of Your countenance shall find grace and mercy to live into eternal life.  Lead me, O Lord, and guide me along right paths for Your name’s sake.  Guide me, Lord, and let me learn from You how connected I am to You and others.  You are the One who must lead and in You is all hope and the only future worth living.  Amen.

“Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind” (Colossians 2:18)

What difference does it make that another has an experience that differs from yours?  This world celebrates these things and they are titillated.  And we are too, if we are honest.  But we should move beyond these things to know that our hope is in Christ alone; and whatever experience we have, He deems adequate as a base for spiritual growth.  Do not make a cult of your faith, but live in the freedom He gives you.

Lord, I do see these things around me.  Help me now and always to live into the life You have given me by and in faith.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I would hold fast only to that which is true.  As for those who have differing experiences, let me think nothing of them other than to pray blessings upon them.  As for me, let me always gladly receive the message You send so that I may abide in You.

Lord Jesus, there are many who come selling all kinds of things.  Help me to hold fast to the truth You have delivered once for all.  Keep my focus on the hope You give and know that in You alone is there grace and mercy.  Let me never fall away, nor be led away by those things the world uses to entice.  Help me now and always to abide humbly in You and walk the path upon which You lead me.  Amen. 

“Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day – things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ” (Colossians 2:16).

For those who think that the feasts, festivals, and formal celebrations are pagan rituals, think again: they are a shadow of what is to come.  For those who think that these things are absolutely essential, think again: they are a shadow of what is to come.  Do not look just  at what you prefer, but to the One who makes all things possible.  Be where He has placed you and do what He gives you to do.

Lord, teach me to be content in every situation.  Guide me in Your goodness so that I may learn from You the truth which You have revealed in Your life, death, and resurrection, as well as learn from the Word which You have given me.  Lead me into truth so that I would not think more highly, nor any less of what is happening around and in me.  Show me the truth which You reveal and know Your goodness and mercy.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  You have shown us the way to where we are going, but we are not there yet.  As I live my traditions, Lord, let them be but a reflection of what is coming and never let me think they are You or heaven.  Guide me, Lord, so that I would rejoice in all that You have given me knowing that You are the One who will lead me to where I need to be.  Amen.

“When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:15).

The ways of this world are opposite to the way of the Lord.  Rulers seek power for themselves, but this is an illusion, for all power and authority have always belonged to the Lord.  Those who are in Him know this and seek to live in accordance with His will.  Those of the world lord it over those under them.  You see this clearly in the Passion when the leaders are nothing compared to the Lord.

Lord, You know what it is to be falsely accused.  You know what it is to have people lie about You.  Teach me to be like You and to be humble in the face of those who are, in public, lying, that they may be shamed by the truth.  You have disarmed me with Your Gospel.  Use Your Gospel through me to disarm others so that we may no longer be at war against You, but serve in Your eternal kingdom.

Lord Jesus, Your kingdom is not of this world.  You have come in order that we may join with You, the One through whom all things have their being.  Lead me into truth so that I may celebrate with You all that You have accomplished.  Guide me to know that in You, through You, and by Your power and authority, I can do all things right and fitting.  Guide me this day to be one who does the Father’s will.  Amen.

“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross” (Colossains 2:13-14).

What Christ has done, in many ways, is beyond our ability to grasp.  He has taken our iniquities upon Himself and through Him we have the forgiveness of sin.  This is not permission to continue in lawlessness, but to recognize that the impossible trap of sin has been lifted so that we may begin the journey of becoming like the One who came to set us free.  Our sins are on the cross and you have been freed.

Lord, teach me that I may not think that I am free to do as I please, but freed from the recompense of sin.  Guide me, O Lord, in the way of life which You give in order that I may see that only in and through You is there hope.  Lead me to know that You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Guide me, Lord, now and always in the way of everlasting life.

Lord Jesus, in You is all hope and the true future of eternity.  You have come so that we may, by Your example, learn how to be children of God.  Guide me, O Lord, that I would  always see the example You have given me and live that example.  Help me to do this in, by, and through faith.  Lead me, Lord, and show me how to follow You.  Teach me how to love as You love so that others may know You through me.  Amen.

“And in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead” (Colossians 2:11).

Cutting away the decay, the cancer and replacing it with the heart of Christ is a description of the Christian life.  God takes away the corruption and makes of us His children.  There are many ways this is said, but only one way this is done and that is through Christ our Savior.  Come then into the salvation Christ has made possible through the cross and know that in Him is all goodness and mercy.

Lord, help me to understand these word pictures so that I may begin to see the reality of what You have done for me from the cross.  Guide me in the way of everlasting life in order that I would be led by You and know that in You alone is all hope.  Whatever needs to be cut away, cut it away.  Whatever needs to be replaced, replace it.  Take me from where I am and bring me to where You know I need to be.

Lord Jesus, You have come so that we may have life and have it abundantly.  Lead me now and always to go through whatever You know I need to go through in order that I may become like You.  Lead me into the eternal life You illuminate through the light which is Your life so that I may walk in the path You set before me.  Guide me this day, Lord Jesus!  Amen.