April 14, 2005

Dear Friends,

      I now have on my website at

http://www.robgagnon.net/articles/homoJourneyTogetherCritique.pdf

(a pdf file)

 (or go to http://www.robgagnon.net/ArticlesOnline.htm

and click on the first article)

a detailed critique of the use of Scripture in two lengthy ELCA (Lutheran) study guides on the Bible and homosexuality, Journey Together Faithfully, Part Two: The Church and Homosexuality, which has Terence Fretheim, professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary, as one of its key authors; and the companion piece, Background Essay on Biblical Texts, written by Arland Hultgren, professor of New Testament at Luther Seminary, and Walter Taylor, professor of New Testament at Trinity Lutheran Seminary), along with detailed responses to both the ELCA Task Force's "Reports and Recommendations" and the ELCA Church Council's "Recommendations to the ELCA Churchwide Assembly on Sexuality Studies."

      Both study guides significantly skew the evidence from Scripture to suggest that the scriptural witness does not provide decisive and clear testimony against committed homosexual unions. They ignore, downplay, or misrepresent the overwhelming biblical witness for an other-sex prerequisite for valid sexual unions. The recommendations, under the misleading guise of not making major changes in ELCA policy, advocate major de facto changes in the denomination's stance on homosexual practice: essentially a local (synod) option to ordain persons who give evidence of an "intent" to be in a "lifelong, committed, and faithful same-sex relationship."

     These materials speak directly to Lutheran concerns, but I think those in other denominations may also see their relevance, both because developments occurring in the ELCA may presage similar developments in your own denomination (though ECUSA is further along the road to disaster than the ELCA) and because I provide here my most extensive online and updated assessment of the Old Testament's and Jesus' witness on homosexual practice and of the use of the creation texts in Paul's discussion of homosexual practice.

     Please circulate this message as widely as possible.

Blessings,

Rob

Robert A. J. Gagnon, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of New Testament
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary