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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
The last few years have begun to
reveal fundamental differences in the way Scripture is interpreted
and applied in the ELCA. This is no more apparent than in the recent
debates over the nature of the church and ministry (Called to
Common Mission, 1999) and sexuality—both of which continue
to be hot topics for discussion.
Dr. Carl Braaten is professor
emeritus of Systematic Theology of the Lutheran School of Theology at
Chicago, and is currently the Executive Director of the Center for
Catholic and Evangelical Theology, Northfield, MN. He is
unquestionably one of our denomination's premier theologians.
In July of this year he wrote an
open letter to Bishop Mark Hanson sharing his concerns regarding the
path the ELCA has chosen to pursue. I agree with his general
assessment of things and encourage you, also, to consider his
remarks. I have posted his letter below for your convenience.
Near the conclusion of his letter
he asks, "Have we reached the point of no return?" This
prompts me to ask a question of us: If we do not roll up our sleeves now
and press for a return to "confessional orthodox
Lutheranism," when will we?
Your co-worker in Christ,
Pastor Larry
Click
here to read
Dr. Braaten's Open Letter to Bishop Hanson. |
