ILC's Position on Current Social Issues

Homosexuality:
Sola Scriptura or Sola Cultura?
by Pastor Michael Birnbaum

A battle now looms for the soul, and possibly the survival of, the ELCA. The topic is homosexuality but the real issue is the authority and interpretation of Holy Scripture. The theological slide to the left and numerical decline of many U.S. mainline churches continues. Now, it appears, a line has been drawn in the sand.

Biblical/orthodox Lutherans see the current debate on possible ordination of gays and lesbians (and same sex marriage "blessing") as "the last straw" in the growing tendency of church leadership to seek norms and values in what is perceived as politically correct and culturally acceptable instead of what is clearly stated in Scripture. No doubt there are those who would contest that last statement by saying, "but we ARE drawing our theological norm from scriptures, as current scholarship would interpret it." Therein lies the problem. The radical theological surgery necessary to force an interpretation of scripture which would condone homosexuality as a Biblically viable lifestyle is such that the same techniques could be used to dismiss even the Resurrection as Biblical truth! These theological gymnastics are not necessary if we have the courage of our Reformation fathers to base our belief and practice on Sola Scriptura—Scripture alone, not the pressures of our present day culture.

In some ways this is a simple situation. 2000 years of orthodox Biblical interpretation has consistently interpreted homosexuality as addressed in the several clear references, in both the Old Testament and the New, as sinful behavior [Genesis 19; Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Romans 1:27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Jude 1:7]. Yet it becomes complicated by the very real strife and hurt caused in families. Many of us have family members and friends who are gay or lesbian. Our heart goes out to them as they struggle and endure unfair treatment at the hands of non-Christian antagonists.

While we must never give in to condoning sin, we must always, as God Himself does, love the sinner–because we're all in the same boat! The real tragedy often occurs when homosexuals who otherwise might be willing to struggle free of their tendencies through counseling and/or spiritual healing, are led to believe that they have no hope—that they are irreversibly "just that way". . . as a sinful culture nods its approval.

Is it possible homosexuals simply are that way "by nature"? Absolutely. All of us have natural tendencies that result in sin—it's called Original Sin. Scripture tells us we have a sinful, fallen nature. The more we discover about genetics the more we understand that many destructive or unnatural tendencies have grounding in the very nature and being of "who we are". It isn't sinful to have homosexual tendencies anymore than it is sinful to be genetically pre-disposed to addictive behavior, violent temper, etc. It's when we use our free will and ACT on such desires, that we have committed sin. It is only by God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit that any of us are able to resist our ever-present, natural, inborn, desire to sin.

I know the comments above are woefully inadequate to thoroughly address all these matters, but I stand ready to discuss my comments with anyone at greater length. Let it also be known, however, that Immanuel Lutheran Church, as a congregation, has voted upon (before I was Pastor) and recently reaffirmed, a strong statement of opposition to any move by any church authority to validate homosexuality as Biblically acceptable behavior. This will not be a popular stand in today's society and culture, but we choose to norm or base our faith and life on Scriptural principles. Sola Scriptura, not sola cultura. Here we stand!