The Statement of the Eight

The Statement issued by the eight confessing Lutheran organizations in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Denmark (the Folkchurch), criticizing the bishops of that Church for approving public rites for the blessing of homosexual unions.

At their conference on January 5, 2005, a majority of the bishops in this country decided "to issue a recommended order of worship for church blessings of couples that have entered into a ?registered partnership'." Furthermore, the bishops stated that they "agree in disassociating ourselves from a Christian or human condemnation of homosexuality and homosexual cohabitation." The bishops "specify that the biblical statements about homosexuality cannot be applied in condemnation."

Because of the bishops' action the undersigned organizations wish make the following statement:

Contrary to the bishops pronouncement, we maintain that the biblical statements against homosexual behavior are clear. The (bishops') statement shakes the very foundation of the Holy Scripture's authority in the faith and doctrine of the church. This is the result of their argument that "in this matter the overall concept of the Gospel outweighs isolated Bible passages." This argument not only renounces God's Law, but also renders meaningless God's Gospel of the forgiveness of sins. The Law of God is still valid as the guide for human life, and at the same time the Law should convict of sin so that people may receive the Gospel with its forgiveness and power for a new life.

Homosexual individuals should not be condemned because of their orientation. But they must face the same Law of God and the same Gospel as everyone else. Through their statement, therefore, the bishops not only desert the Word of God, but they also abandon (their duty toward) the homosexuals.

We point out, in agreement with the Danish Folkchurch's Confession, that when bishops "teach or ordain anything contrary to the Gospel, congregations have a command from God that forbids obedience" (Augsburg Confession, Article 28). As shown above, it may be maintained that the bishops' declaration is contrary to the true Gospel, which can only be proclaimed on the basis of God's ordinances and commandments, which are valid in every age.

We appreciate the four bishops' rejection of a (homosexual) blessing ritual, but we cannot ignore the fact that through their declaration in January all the bishops have caused unrest among our membership, and they will have to bear responsibility for the consequences, which could result in division in the Folkchurch.

Dansk Bibel-Institut (Danish Bible Institute)

Evangelisk Luthersk Missionsforening (Evangelical Lutheran Mission Association)

Fællesskabet Kirkelig Fornyelse (Fellowship for Church Renewal)

Kirkelig Forening for den Indre Mission i Danmark (Church Inner Mission Society)

Kirkelig Samling om Bibel og Bekendelse (Ecclesial Gathering around Bible and Confessions)

Kristeligt Forbund for Studerende (Christian Students Association)

Luthersk Missionsforening (Lutheran Mission Society)

Menighedsfakultetet (Congregational Faculty)

Thanks once again to the estimable Dr Christopher Barnekov for providing this translation of the Danish text.