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NEWS NETWORK “But in this crisis, I believe the faith “But in this crisis, I believe ing in the minors.’ with ‘major- are often charged movements in the reform We Scripture]. prohibited by practice that is neither commanded nor adiaphora [a church one more dust-up over “The temptation is to dismiss this also as much ado about very little. often, with time, those disputes seem to be been fighting about something and always side issues. Christians have dispute over is not a minor crisis in Christianity today “The one address and said, Grorud gave crept into their denominations. w in ways Minn., each described various Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fridley, Allison, speaking at C. FitzSimons and Episcopal Bishop board member, P f at this said speakers past 20 or more years, the radar in been subtle and just below Protestant denominations have line U.S. of main- theology Changes in the day-to-day American churches. afoot in the North gospel that is last defense against a new are the is the final mercy word, that God’s realize those who especially Laypersons, by in ELCA gospel new against ‘last defense’ are Laypersons NEWS NETWORK all’s WordAlone Theological Theological Conference. WordAlone all’s V astor Scott Grorud, a WordAlone Network WordAlone a astor Scott Grorud, hich this new theology, or gospel, has theology, hich this new Betsy Carlson, editor olume 10, Issue 1 2009 - FEBRUARY JANUARY Scripture and theology, leaving them to leaving Scripture and theology, confess their inability to understand Grorud said it is common to hear laypeople cross. umph through Christ’s o optimistic that the theol- But each man was conversion.” out a cross, without Christ and Christianity and turns it into a gospel with- ance’ distorts the very essence of accept- of divine “The ‘theology He said, acceptance.” of divine “theology as the theology” “working day-to-day new and the redemption,” of divine “theology distinguishes “official as the theology” who University, Yale School at Divinity Church and a former dean of the Berkeley The Episcopal a member of Turner, Philip most compelling diagnosis came from said that to him the meanwhile, Grorud, to sin and brings with it bondage sin. freedom is actually dom of choice, which teredness along with the illusion of free- It is self-cen- seen but that is powerful.” that is seldom of the Sadducees, “yeast To in the balance.” to us is hanging handed down that was gy of salvation, of redemption, will tri- gy of salvation, Allison, who spoke twice, it is the yeast spoke Allison, who (Continues on page two) (Continues ® (‘laypersons...’ Continues from page one) and liking and thus is left with only sadness (‘laypersons...’ Continues from page two) Lutheran confessions and the ELCA consti- pastors and theologians. He said he sympa- and depression but without hope. Grorud described the theology of acceptance tution. Cultural and philosophical forces thizes with laypersons because the issues “It behooves us to understand what a sad- using five key tenets given by author Turner: from outside the faith inspire ‘new,’ ‘cre- are complicated. ness there is,” Allison said, “and what a 1. It asserts that God is love, only ative,’ ‘modern’ and ‘relevant’ teachings. “But you who are laypeople have to under- need there is for a confident witness to the love; pure, accepting, uncondition- “They undermine the Gospel subtly, by ero- stand that you are the last line of defense faith we have been given.” al love. This love eliminates sion, rather than by openly opposing or here,” Grorud said. “You can ‘smell a rat’ judgment and the need for overturning it.” To counter the new theology of acceptance, salvation from sin and resurrection before anyone else and you must take up Grorud said, Christians with traditional Grorud listed some examples of the new the challenge of preserving the faith.” to new life. views must learn and renew knowledge of 2. God taking on a body was not for theology in the ELCA: the claim of direct Allison asked rhetorically if sinners would the faith, hold pastors and teachers salvation of sinners from His wrath inspiration by the Holy Spirit apart from the win. Were Alzheimer’s disease, abuse of all accountable to the faith, cling as never but rather as God’s unconditional Word; sharp erosion of the authority of kinds, dementia, abortion or depression the before to the great solas of the affirmation and acceptance of all Scripture; the diminishing acknowledgment final words, he wondered? Reformation, overcome the legendary shy- people, just as they are. The cross of sin and its ongoing power in our lives. ness of Lutherans and learn to witness, tes- and even Jesus himself soon disap- Also: altering Biblical and Christian texts “No, God’s Word is the Alpha and the tify, preach, teach “in the most gracious, Omega,” Allison said. “Every man must pear from this theology. in service to various ideologies; inviting winsome ways” to family members, 3. Since God is love and Jesus was un-baptized people to receive Holy appear before the judgment seat of friends, pew mates and church leaders. Christ. God’s mercy is the final word.” devoted to love, his followers must Communion for the sake of welcome and (Continues on page three) love others in the same way. Love is inclusion; the reduction of grace in He said Sadducees didn’t believe in resur- defined only as unconditional Lutheran theology; strange teachings about rection and their teaching was a rough inclusion and acceptance of all Jesus, for instance rejecting the cross as the equivalent of secularism, “‘this-world-is- Index people. It is not transformational center of God’s salvation, some radically all-there-is-ism’ as Reinhold Niebuhr page one — Laypersons are ‘last love that puts sinners to death and dismissing it as “divine child abuse;” and defense’ against new gospel in ELCA expressed it.” raises them to new life in Christ. the debates over sexuality. Allison asserted, “The Episcopal Church has page four — ELCA council says 4. Since the church no longer can pro- majority vote enough to alter sexuality The text of Allison’s and Grorud’s keynote been increasingly choking on this Sadducee ordination standards claim God’s justification for the addresses can be accessed from the home yeast, this continuous accommodation to the ungodly, its mission is social justice page six — An open letter on synodical page of the WordAlone Network, secular culture. Our churches are pandering option and justice is defined as including www.wordalone.org. ✦ to a secularism that is characterized: the rejected. The only intolerable page eight — A network for any and all 1. by our believing that ideas, sin is any hint of intolerance. confessional Lutherans (‘majority vote...’ Continues from page five) doctrines and teachings are without 5. This new theology results in a pecu- page ten — Reform groups form new liar form of North American or years of ecumenical work and cut off the consequences; North American Anglican church 2. by an arrogance based on a cruel Western liberation theology, includ- ELCA from most Christian churches? page eleven — Lutheran Clergy ing all the excluded. This blurs the Pelagian naiveté regarding sin and Connect Perhaps the most tragic dimension of the evil [Fifth century heresy that man line between God’s kingdom and council majority's decision is the certain is basically good and that original Please this world and is seen as a means to damage that will be done to ELCA congre- sin does not exist.]; create God’s kingdom on earth. gations should the ELCA change its min- 3. by ethics without moral pass Evidence of the crisis in the Evangelical istry standards. Many congregations will foundations; Lutheran Church in America is abundant lose members and many will be deeply 4. by reductionist art devoid of it on! and disturbing, but it is also mostly anec- divided—some already are. transcendent hope; dotal, according to Grorud. 5. by inescapable idolatry; and The majority on the council is concerned 6. by depression.” Network News is published six times “I do not see any organized conspiracy to about pastoral care for gay, lesbian, bisexu- yearly by the WordAlone® Network. destroy the faith,” he said. “I am not aware al and transgendered people, but seemingly In other words, doctrine is not taken seri- of any one book or movement that lays it all oblivious to the overwhelming pastoral care ously; humankind is seen as good, has no Jaynan Clark Egland: president out. I am convinced that many who pro- that will be needed for millions of members sense of transcendent justice in its stan- Mark C.