CONCORDIA JOURNAL Volume 31 July 2005 Number 3 CONTENTS EDITORIALS Editor’s Note ......................................................................... 214 Theological Observers ............................................................ 216 ARTICLES The Challenge of Homosexuality: What Is at Stake? David L. Adams .................................................................... 220 Christian Responses to the Culture’s Normalization of Homosexuality Robert W. Weise ................................................................... 231 The Local Congregation Approaches the Issues: Lutheran Responses, “Sin, Sex, and Civil Silence” Joel D. Biermann.................................................................. 248 Where Is the Holy Family Today?: Marriage a Holy Covenant before God—The Biblical Role of Man and Woman Louis A. Brighton ................................................................. 260 THEOLOGICAL POTPOURRI On Preaching Theology John Frederick Johnson ....................................................... 269 HOMILETICAL HELPS .................................................................. 273 BOOK REVIEWS ............................................................................... 299 BOOKS RECEIVED ........................................................................... 339 CONCORDIA JOURNAL/JULY 2005 213 Editor’s Note The first three articles in this issue were presented as major papers at the annual Theological Symposium, which was held at Concordia Semi- nary, St. Louis, Missouri, on September 21-22, 2004. The general theme of the symposium addressed one of the major issues facing both the Chris- tian church and society today, namely, “Culture’s Normalization of Homo- sexuality.” One of the major agendas of gay and lesbian groups and the liberal media is the promotion of homosexuality as an accepted lifestyle and the promotion of same-sex marriages as legitimate and natural as marriages of heterosexual couples. One of the primary concerns of the symposium was to address the issue of how Christians can effectively re- spond to the current threats to traditional Christian morality and God’s institution and intentions for the marital estate. Related to this is the question of how pastors can minister effectively to individuals with a homosexual orientation who are wrestling with their sexuality and their Christian convictions. In the first article, “The Challenge of Homosexuality: What Is at Stake?,” Dr. David L. Adams examines the cultural changes that have occurred in our society, leading up to the Defense of Marriage Act passed by Congress on September 21, 1996, subsequent challenges to it, and the position of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod on homosexuality and same-sex marriage as expressed in study documents of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and in convention resolutions. He con- cludes that the church has to think through the difficult issues of our time in order to have an appropriate response and that the church must take a firm Biblical stand in the face of social and possibly legal intimidation. Dr. Robert W. Weise in his article, “Christian Responses to the Culture’s Normalization of Homosexuality,” examines the onslaught of the media in promoting homosexual issues and how Christians should respond to it. He looks at the attempts of the advocates of homosexuality and gay marriage to find scientific evidence to support the supposed legitimacy of homosexu- ality. He also discusses appropriate pastoral responses to the various is- sues of homosexuality and pastoral counseling to “Gay Christians.” In the third article, “The Local Congregation Approaches the Issues: Lutheran Responses, ‘Sin, Sex, and Civil Silence’.” Dr. Joel D. Biermann calls attention to the success of the advocates of the homosexual lifestyle in gaining tolerance and acceptance in our society. The church, he points out, cannot remain silent or on the sidelines in this matter. The church today must follow Paul’s example in Romans and clearly proclaim God’s word of judgment on this sin and, at the same time, offer God’s promise of forgiveness to those who repent and strive to follow His will regarding human sexuality. He also calls attention to some of society’s vague concep- tions of romantic love and the foundations on which marriage can be built. 214 “Marriage,” he says, “is not about loving relationships or about the union of soul mates. Marriage is about faithfulness to God’s creative design for marriage, a design woven into the creation itself and explicitly confirmed in the Creator’s verbal revelation.” The fourth article was not a presentation at the Theological Sympo- sium, but it is included here because it clearly speaks to the issue of what constitutes a God-pleasing marriage. In “Where Is the Holy Family To- day?: Mariage a Holy Covenant before God—The Biblical Role of Man and Woman,” Dr. Louis A. Brighton says that marriage between a man and woman is of divine origin and that it is the basis for all earthly life. It exists for the rearing of children and is necessary for all earthly life of the human race. He sees the perfect model for every Christian family in the “holy family”—Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. A correct understanding of Christian marriage requires a Biblical understanding of the role and relationship that God established for men and women at creation. In publishing these articles, it is our hope that they will assist pastors and lay Christians in understanding the seriousness of the current social challenges to Biblical teaching and the Christian lifestyle and in seeking ways not only to confront the challenge but also to find effective means for ministering to people caught up in or tempted to embrace homosexuality. While God clearly does not condone the sins being perpetrated as nor- malcy today, He does call the sinners to repentance and to faith in Jesus Christ. Quentin F. Wesselschmidt CONCORDIA JOURNAL/JULY 2005 215 Theological Observers Have a Nice Day Christian Conservatives See an Ally in Ratzinger (UNDATED) In Pope Benedict XVI, religious conservatives in the United States will have a staunch ally in the battle against abortion, gay rights, human cloning, physician-assisted suicide and other issues. Hours before the conclave that elevated him, Cardinal Ratzinger decried “a dicta- torship of relativism which does not recognize anything as definitive and has as its highest value one’s own ego and one’s own desires.” That quote could have been spoken by James Dobson, Pat Robertson or Jerry Falwell. By Adelle M. Banks. About 750 words. New Pope’s First Job May Be a Charm Offensive (UNDATED) Pope Benedict XVI is, depending on whom you talk to, the “Panzerkardinal,” “God’s Rotweiller” or simply severely misunderstood. As Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the new pope gained a public reputation as a conservative hard-liner, a sort of ecclesiastic “Dr. No.” Yet those who have worked with him say he is a quiet, approachable, even likeable guy whose public image is a caricature of the real man. As pope, one of Benedict’s first jobs may be mounting a charm offensive to chip away at his negative public image. By Kevin Eckstrom. About 900 words. The Religious News Service summary press releases (received April 21, 2005) highlight at least two theological assumptions embedded in Ameri- can culture. The first is that allies in social and moral “conservative” causes must be brothers, or at least step-brothers, in the faith. The causes cited in the first release are, as we know, grounded in Natural Law—the Law written in man’s heart from the time of creation. It does not require a “conservative Christian,” or even a nominal Christian for that matter, to espouse marriage as a solemn vow only between a man and a woman or to campaign actively against abortion on demand. As Christians, to be sure, we value any behavior or conviction that has its origin in God’s Law as written in our hearts and in His Word. But it is the Law we are talking about, not Gospel; and our deep, historical differences with the Roman Catholic Church, as found in the Confessions, have to do with the Gospel— salvation through faith by grace, without the works of the Law. Indeed, The “Theological Observer” serves as a forum for comment on, assessment of, and reactions to developments and events in the church at large, as well as in the world of theology generally. Since areas of expertise, interest, and perceptions often vary, the views presented in this section will not always reflect the opinion of the editorial committee. 216 the papacy itself stands in contradistinction to the Gospel. And so, even as we recognize our common cause in issues, e.g., having to do with human life, we also acknowledge that (at least in terms of our respective public doctrinal positions) our motivation to participate in such causes may be quite different. In our pluralistic culture, it is tempting to see common causes, or even common human predicaments, as trumping differences in faith or doctrine. Actions speak louder than words. Is not what we value (and prac- tice) in common, not only with Roman Catholics, but with Jews and Mus- lims and Mormons, more important? Indeed, the Law is written on their hearts, as it is on ours. But the differences are more important yet (cf. Articles IV & VI of the Augsburg Confession & Apology). Even as we recog- nize our common human heritage of the Law, we know that it is the Gos- pel that saves. And it is only the Gospel that provides the proper motiva- tion for the sanctified life. Acting in