One of the slogans of the ELCA over the last couple of years has been “unity in the midst of diversity.” This unity has been so important that it even made it into the proposal of the task force presentation in 2005 when we discussed the blessing of same sex unions and the rostering of non-celibate clergy. The resolution was, that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America””its members, congregations, synods, churchwide organization, and agencies and institutions””be urged to concentrate on finding ways to live together faithfully in the midst of disagreements, recognizing the God-given mission and communion that we share as members of the body of Christ.
What is the disagreement that we have that endangers our unity so much that we have to make resolutions promoting living together faithfully? Well, after I attended the 2005 assembly it became clear to me that the disagreement was not just on matters relating to human sexuality but had to do with a different understanding of theology or what I would call a new gospel. After attending the 2007 churchwide assembly I now realize that not only does this new gospel exist, but I have now had confirmed in my mind the realization that because of this new gospel we cannot have a unified church.
I say this not to be overly dramatic or divisive; I say it simply because it is the truth. Our Lord himself said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. (Mk 3:25) and Saint Paul likewise condemned the preaching of a new gospel (Galatians 1:9)
Now, first of all I need to define this new gospel and how it differs from the gospel of Jesus Christ, as revealed to us in holy scripture and the historic witness of the church catholic…
I think this article lays out the problem clearly and without bombast. I hope she finds a suitable spirtiual home.
First rate piece of work, the clearest and most cogent I have run across in a long time. LM
I should have been clearer. Her point about two different languages using the same vocabulary is essential and , now, incontrovertible. We need t o admit that this is so and our first undertaking should be to clarify our own language, re establish our own denotations, and clarify the connotations that attend these denotations. When confusion at this level occurs, communication appears to take place, but does not.
One of my central grievances with TEC is their prostitution of common meaning for the sake of an agenda. Because I was an English teacher for years and years, because I write poetry, this suborning of the language is a grave sin whose damage is hard to assess until all communication breaks down. Isay it again, we must start by purging our American of
the TECeffects. Only then will be be able to begin to reestablish our identity. For mankind, language and identity are almost synonymous. Lary