One of the familiar clichés within Lutheranism is that making the right distinctions is the key to doing good theology.  Admittedly, clichés are dangerous, as Robert Jenson warned in the book Lutheran Slogans: Use and Abuse. [1]   However, I still believe that making distinctions serves the Lutheran Church well.  Among those that I find helpful are the distinctions between Law and Gospel, and between the first, second and third articles of the Creed.

These distinctions are helpful in evaluating one of the recent declarations made on behalf of the ELCA by its leaders.   The Church Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) met from March 31 to April 2 of this year.  At that meeting, the Church Council adopted A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community.[2]   Like most of the declarations made on behalf of the ELCA, there are strengths and weaknesses.   Here’s where the distinctions come in.

When it comes to the distinction between Law and Gospel, Lutherans recognize that knowledge of the Law is not limited to the Christian faith.  The Law is accessible to all people, but not without distortions due to sin.  People of other religions, and people with no particular religious faith, have some knowledge of the Law.  Furthermore, we recognize that the Law impacts people in several ways.  We refer to this impact as the “uses of the Law”, but we should remember that we don’t really use the Law.  God does.   There are at least two uses of the Law.  A third use is debated among Lutherans.  However, in this article, I want to focus only on the first use of the Law. 

The first use of the Law is often called its civil use.  This is when the Law gives order to society, restrains evil, and rewards virtue.  No human society can function without some form of law, and regardless of the vast differences between religions and cultures, there are strong similarities as well.  While religions and cultures differ greatly on what is the proper way to worship God or the gods, they have large areas of agreement when it comes to how we ought to relate to fellow human beings.  Respect for elders, prohibitions against murder, adultery, theft, lying and warnings against the danger of envy are pervasive.  As a result, the civil use of the law provides common ground between Christians, people of other religions, and with people in civil society.

Another helpful distinction has to do with the Apostles’ Creed.  Following Luther’s Catechisms, we identify three articles in the Creed, one on Creation, Redemption and Sanctification respectively.  It is under the article on Creation that Lutherans find the most in common with people of other faiths.  In particular, Jews and Muslims share similar beliefs with us, including the belief that there is only one God, that God is the creator of heaven and earth, that we are to love God and love our neighbors, and that God has revealed his will to human beings.  The article on Creation is the basis for our understanding of the civil use of the Law. 

When A Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community speaks from the standpoint of the first article of the Creed and the civil use of the Law it does well.  Lutherans should find common ground with other Christians, with Muslims, and with all people, in rejecting “subtle and not-so-subtle acts of aggression and violence, including vandalism against [Muslim] community centers and masjids (mosques).”  We should “assure our Muslim neighbors of our love and respect and reaffirm our commitment to working together in our shared communities for the common good.”  As Christians we are to “pray for our neighbors of other religions and worldviews; to seek understanding; and to stand in solidarity” with our neighbors. 

It is also right to admit and lament the fact that Lutherans have often failed to recognize that the protections of God’s Law extend to all people and not just to fellow Christians.  Jesus clearly taught that our neighbor includes all people, not just those who share our religion, nationality, or language.  (Luke 10:25-37)  Not only violence, but harsh rhetoric and “crude polemics” are a violation of the Law, namely the 8^th Commandment.  Therefore, it is correct to reject the harsh polemics of the past, even when they come from Martin Luther himself. 

Perhaps this is one place where Lutheran clichés have been abused.  We are to distinguish Law from Gospel, and Creation from Redemption and Sanctification.  However, we are not to separate them.  It is possible to become so focused on preaching the Gospel of salvation and the need for redemption that we forget that we still live within this world.  We have no right to abandon the Law in its first use, to fail to care for Creation, to neglect our families, communities, nations and world.  Instead, we are called to do good works that benefit our neighbors in our various vocations within the world.  In the words of the second offertory prayer in the LBW, we are to “dedicate our lives to the care and redemption of all that [God has] made,” not merely to the redemption of all things.  Just as the separation of Old and New Testaments has led to many evils within the Church, the same can be said about the separation of Law and Gospel and the separation of the article on Creation from those of Redemption and Sanctification.  We are not “Unitarians of the Second Article.”  We are Trinitarians. We cannot neglect the Law and the First Article. 

The greatest problem with the Declaration of the ELCA to the Muslim Community comes about when it attempts to talk about repentance and the Gospel.  For instance, in the first paragraph the Declaration says:

As people who know that we live by the grace and in the sight of the one, almighty and merciful God, we have confidence that our engagement will result in mutual learning, growth, and enrichment.

That is a vague statement at best.  What is this grace about which the Declaration speaks?  Is it the grace of creation or the grace of redemption in Jesus Christ?   It’s important for us to know.  To which God does the Declaration refer?  A Muslim might suspect that the ELCA is attempting to get him to affirm the Trinity and salvation in Christ by sleight of hand.  On the other hand, a Christian might conclude that the ELCA is avoiding a clear confession of its faith in Jesus Christ in order not to cause offense.  She might further wonder whether such an avoidance actually constitutes a denial of salvation through Christ alone. 

Later, in the fifth chapter, the Declaration promises to:

“confess when our words or deeds (or lack thereof) cause offense, harm, or violence to our neighbors” and to “repent and seek forgiveness from God and reconciliation with our neighbors.”

The same problem arises as above.  Is this a subtle attempt to coopt our Muslim neighbors into a confession of repentance and forgiveness in Jesus Christ?  Is it a subtle denial that forgiveness from God and true reconciliation with our neighbors is available only through Jesus Christ?  This ambivalence can easily cause offense to Muslims and Christians. 

What’s missing, in other words, is any attempt to address the Elephant in the Room.  Christians and Muslims are divided over the question of who Jesus of Nazareth is.  They are also divided over the doctrine of the Trinity.  Christians can find common ground with Muslims under the first use of the Law and under the article on Creation.  It is the Gospel and the Second and Third Articles that divide us.  How do we live together in a way that asks neither Christians nor Muslims to sacrifice the integrity of their faiths?  Neither orthodox Christians, nor orthodox Muslims, are willing to settle for a vague universalism.  My hope is that the ELCA is not willing to settle for that either.  Doing a better job of making important distinctions (but not separations) would have helped this Declaration a great deal.

[1] Jenson, Robert W. Lutheran Slogans, Use and Abuse.  American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, 2011

[2] “A Declaration of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America to the Muslim Community” 

Wanting to expand our video ministry and increase the number and scope of resources that we offer, we are now developing another series of videos which will answer the question, What is the core of the Christian faith that we as confessional Lutherans want to maintain, preserve, hold on to, and pass on?  Many thanks to the Lutheran pastors and theologians who will be making these videos, which will deal with such topics as, Is Jesus the only way to heaven?, How to read and understand the Bible, and What does it mean to be confessional?  Each video, which will explore some area of Christian faith and life, will be about half an hour in length. 

The first of these videos will be available soon.  They will be posted as soon as they are ready.  Each month we will be featuring one of them in our monthly publications and various forms of social media.   

Lutheran CORE continues to provide monthly video reviews of books of interest and importance.  Many thanks to Dr. Paul Hinlicky, professor emeritus at Roanoke College in Roanoke, Virginia, for giving us a review of Simeon Zahl’s book, The Holy Spirit and Christian Experience.

Prior to the rationalism of the Enlightenment, during the early years of Reformation theology, part of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer was seen to be the giving of a new heart, new emotions, a change in one’s desires.  This book helps regain that emphasis.  Faith is not just a matter of intellectual conviction.  It is also something that strikes home for us personally.  It changes us and what we love. 

Grace can be an abstraction – simply the idea that God is merciful and loving.  Instead grace needs to be and can be a concrete experience of the merciful Jesus Christ, who finds His way into our hearts through the extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit. 

This review, as well as twenty others, have been posted on our YouTube channel.  A link to the channel can be found here.

This research has been done and this article has been written in response to those who have expressed deep concern over the Equality Act, a bill that is now before the United States Congress. 

The Equality Act, if passed, would amend the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (including titles II, III, IV, VI, VII, and IX) to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity in employment, housing, public accommodations, education, federally funded programs, credit, and jury service.

Much like the Supreme Court’s June 2020 ruling in the Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia decision, which protects gay and transgender people in matters of employment, the Equality Act broadly defines sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity, adding “pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition of an individual, as well as because of sex-based stereotypes.” The bill also defines this to include the intersex community.

While various similar bills have been introduced since the 1970’s, the modern version of the Equality Act was first proposed in the 114th United States Congress. During the 116th Congress, it passed the United States House of Representatives on May 17, 2019 in a bipartisan 236–173 vote. However, the United States Senate did not act upon the bill after receiving it. On February 18, 2021, the act was reintroduced in the 117th Congress. The House passed the act by a vote of 224 to 206 on February 25, 2021, with support from three Republicans. The bill then moved on to the Senate for consideration.

While not yet passed into law, the Equality Act continually inches closer to being passed, and each time it becomes more expansive in what it entails.  The latest version of the Equality Act is a grave threat to religious liberty, especially for religious institutions (churches, schools, hospitals, camps, sports, etc.) which hold to traditional views regarding gender and sexuality.  There are wide-reaching implications.  Also, the Equality Act does not stand alone.  It builds upon and forms the basis for other legislation that has come through the executive branch (i.e., executive orders) and/or the judicial branch (i.e., SCOTUS cases).

Much work has been done to survey books, reports, articles, audios, and videos in order to prepare two resources for the friends of Lutheran CORE. 

The first of these resources is a list of quotations from a wide selection of sources, which answer common questions.  A link to that resource can be found here.

The second is a resource list for more information on the subject.  A link to that list can be found here.

Although some information is included about the general implications (i.e., the impact on businesses or adoption agencies), the specific focus of the two resources is on the implications for religious freedom, both for churches specifically and for faith-based institutions generally (i.e., religious schools, religious camps, etc.). 

Please note that the focus is intentionally on religious rather than political concerns. 

Regrettably, there is little information, at this point, about what faith-based (and secular) institutions can meaningfully do to fight back against this legislation and its implications.  The one recurring proposal is to support alternative legislation, such as the Fairness for All Act.  This Act would implement similar LGBTQ+ rights as the Equality Act in the secular and business worlds, but would include specific protections of religious liberties for faith-based non-profits.  Although it is by no means the focus of this report, some information about the Fairness for All Act has been included. 

We would particularly recommend to you two resources, both of which can be found under Reports on the resource list. 

The first is the document, How Religious Organizations Can Understand the Equality Act and Discern Next Steps,by Caleb Kaltenbach of the Messy Grace Group.  It is quite comprehensive, at over 100 pages, and includes not only practical information about the law and its implications, but also suggestions for what churches can do.  In addition it presents religious, legal, and moral arguments against the Equality Act.

The second is the “Protecting Your Ministry from Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Lawsuits” guide jointly released by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Alliance Defending Freedom.  This document specifically concerns protecting churches from lawsuits.  At this time, the guide has yet to be updated to reflect the Equality Act, but it is useful in drawing attention to the sorts of things which churches will have to worry about, now and into the future, as lawsuits regarding LGBTQ concerns arise. 

I am reminded of how Jesus said in Matthew 10: 16, “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.”  We certainly are living and doing ministry in the midst of wolves.  May we be what Jesus has called and empowered us to be.    

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:16).

This simple sentence is probably the root of most of the discord in any fellowship.  There are those who want to have authority for themselves, and they will do whatever is needed to gain it.  It is based upon jealousy and ambition.  The product is disorder.  Evil only needs to be a degree off to send anyone and everyone in the wrong direction.  Hold up good order and fight the good fight for what is right.  Be of the same mind one toward another.

Lord, You know where there is discord.  You know where I have caused it.  Remove evil so that Your people may flourish.  Guide me dear Lord in the way of truth in order that I may now and forever be led by You to go the way of all righteousness.  Let not harbor  evil  within me and help me to root it out by Your power and under Your direction with Your good order in mind whenever I see it.  You alone are Sovereign Lord and no one else should or can take Your place.

Lord Jesus, in You alone is there hope for all ages.  Guide me where I have jealousy and ambition to look to You.  Lead me into holiness.  Grant me the ability to fight the good fight when I see discord and evil things.  Through it all, establish Your church so that in Your goodness, Your grace and mercy may prevail.  Lead Your faithful into the ways of righteousness on the path of faith which is set before us all.  Amen

“This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic” (James 3:15).

Learning how to mask our issues is what the world teaches.  That, and learning how to seem normal when you are doing wickedness.  It may be self-control as far as the world is concerned, but it is wickedness as far as the Lord is concerned.  Do not be double-minded, but set your mind on seeking what is right in the eyes of the Lord.  Look to Him and he will remove what needs to be removed.

Lord, You are the One who created me and You know all things.  Guide me, Lord, so that I may now and always be guided by You, my Lord and my God.  Where I do have ideas in conflict within me, remove the evil and strengthen the good.  Through all things, help me to understand and be a willing participant in Your goodness.  Keep my eyes upon You, O Lord, and lead me the way I need to go to become more like You.

Lord Jesus, You are the example for us all.  Help me today as I walk through the mire of this world.  Keep my heart in the right place, and in those places where the world tempts me to be double-minded, lead me away from that temptation and into truth.  You have set me free from sin and death, now free me from the inside out to be Yours forever.  Thank You Lord for doing all that is needed that this may be done.  Amen.

“But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth” (James 3:14).

One wonders how often this kind of thing happens.  There are those who do seem to behave this way in the church.  But that is speculation.  What then?  Take these things to heart lest they well up in your heart and then what has not been dealt with comes out of your mouth.  We all have issues, and some are repressed.  Confess, confess, and confess and let these things out so that the Lord may truly give you a clean heart.

Lord, I do not know all the places in my heart which have been affected over my lifetime, but there are things that have happened which cause me to act and react in certain ways.  Lead me Lord to the place where I can let these things go and live as You would have me live.  Guide me, Lord, in the right direction and help me to move toward the place where I truly am acting like Christ.

Lord and Savior Jesus, You know where I need to go today.  You know what I am able to face and those things that You will work on in me.  Lead me in gentleness so that I would not do evil, but instead be guided by You and the goodness of Your grace.  Help me to see that only in You, Lord, is there hope and a future.  Let me walk willingly with You this day as You lead me in the direction I need to go.  Amen.

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13).

Wisdom, knowledge and understanding are different things.  There are elements of each in the others, but they are different.  If the Lord has given you wisdom, then use that wisdom for His sake and share your wisdom with others.  Be guided by the principle that He is at work in You and in others too.  We are placed together for His sake and in His purpose, He will grow in us the likeness of Christ.

Lord, there are things You have given to me which others would call wisdom.  Let me not keep these things stored away, but offer them as a gift to any who would receive them.  Lead me, O Lord, in the way of everlasting life so that I might grow each day in knowledge, understanding and wisdom.  Let these things come out in and through the things that I do.  Help me to know that in You alone is all grace, mercy, and hope.

My Lord and Savior, You have those things which You will go to work on in me this day.  Lead me according to Your goodness to look to You for all understanding.  Help me to listen as Your Spirit gives me wisdom.  Most of all, help me to walk the walk of one who believes and lives out the life of faith You have given me in such a way that others see that I believe.  In You alone is there all hope and the only future worth living.  Grant me the wisdom to act on this truth in word and deed.  Amen.

“Does a fountain send out from the same opening both fresh and bitter water?  Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Nor can salt water produce fresh” (James 3:11-12).

This metaphor has slightly changed, but hopefully you get the point.  In our age, people think they can be of the world, and also of the Lord.  You cannot mix good and evil.  Mind you, we are all mixed up and we need the Lord’s help, which is why we pray, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.”  The plea here is for you to take seriously the work that needs to be done in order that You may be in the Lord now and forever.

The salvation part belongs to the Lord.  Only He can do this, but you must be a willing participant.  Each time you fall, get back up. Look to the Lord and move forward.  Sometimes you’ll even take a few steps backward.  You’ll find that somehow or other this stumbling will have done you some good.  Come then and be on the journey of becoming like Christ and know that He will complete you.

Lord Jesus, you must be the author and finisher of my faith, for without You these things are impossible.  Help me see where I am mixing things up and then help me to willingly walk with You as You go to work in me.  Guide me to be intentional about all that I say and do.  Help me to look for the good and shun the evil in me.  Above all things, give me grace for others as they too struggle.  Amen.

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way” (James 3:10-11).

We do good and evil.  Our parents thought we could handle both good and evil.  Look at history and you see that we cannot.  We cannot be both good and evil.  We will end up either one or the other.  You have the call of Christ before you.  That is the call to good.  You cannot serve the Father and yourself.  There can only be one Master and that is the Lord.  Your struggle is ever before you.

Lord, I see the places where I wrestle.  I want to be in control.  Guide me away from the wrestling of my spirit so that I may be guided by You alone.  You know the direction I need to go.  You know the struggles I have.  You know the tug-of-war that is constantly pulling me in different directions.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of salvation in order that I would stop the striving and rest in You.

Lord Jesus, You came to save me.  I need saving.  Guide me, Lord, in the way of everlasting life.  Lead me in the way of hope, truth and goodness.  My Lord and Savior, You know what I need.  You know how to accomplish all that is needed.  You have provided the way of salvation.  Guide me in that way.  Help me to know and understand that You are making all things new, including me.  Amen.