We were much disappointed this past week by the action of the national assembly of the ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) in striking down its ban on non-celibate gay and lesbian clergy in roles of pastoral leadership.
Not that such, in keeping with the adopted policies of various other bodies of liberal persuasion, was unexpected. Nor should the passing of similar resolutions on the part of yet others alleging to represent the faith be unexpected. The following will presently suffice here:
Problems of this nature are nothing new. In preaching the Gospel of freedom in Christ, Paul's message was purposely distorted by those "slanderously" reporting him as saying, "Let us do evil that good may come." "Their condemnation ('damnation,' KJV)," the apostle continues, "is just" (Rom. 3:8). In addressing various such attacks on the integrity of his person and ministry, the apostle accordingly wrote of "false apostles and deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And," he continued, "no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light..." (II Cor. 11:13-15). Other passages might be cited.
The extent to which the promotion of unrestrained behavior in the name of Christian liberty (a philosophy ultimately known as Nicolaitanism) eventually spread is reflected in the writings of not only Paul, Peter and Jude, but also the Revelation in which three particular instances of the teaching's presence and influence are addressed. Opposed by the church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:6), the system's tenets had become fully accepted doctrine at Pergamum (vs. 14), while both practice and advocacy were tolerated at Thyatira (vv. 14-15). According to Church history, the heresy continued until at least 200 A.D. - eventually merging into the realm of Gnosticism; itself a havoc creating heterodoxy that almost destroyed the Church in the second and third centuries.
The trend will almost certainly lead to a day wherein the realm of professed faith will consist largely of two camps: the orthodox and biblically grounded vs. that and those that are not. At such time meaningful Christian identity will relate more to one's commitment to Jesus Christ and scriptural values than to sectarian and/or organizational ties and association.
In the meantime we need to pray for those seeking to uphold the truth in difficult settings. It is not an easy task. We have been there.
Burl Ratzsch
