The ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) has now officially approved of homosexual clergy,¹From http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/Social-Issues/Social-Statements-in-Process/JTF-Human-Sexuality/Message-to-Rostered-Leaders.aspx  “A Message to Rostered Leaders from Presiding Bishop Mark S. Hanson, August 22, 2009… Our assembly also adopted resolutions proposed by the Church Council based on those contained in a “Report and Recommendation on Ministry Policies.” The actions direct that changes be made to churchwide policy documents to make it possible for those in committed same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders in the ELCA…Resolution 2: RESOLVED, that the ELCA commit itself to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as rostered leaders of this church. (Adopted 559-451) Resolution 4…eliminated the prohibition of rostered service by members in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships.” which is in clear violation of the Word of God (Lev. 18:22; 20:13; Rom. 1:26-28).  It has listened to the seductive call of secular morality and is now fornicating with its deceitful philosophies.  It listens to the secularists and lifts political correctness to idolatrous levels, then bows down before it in empty piousness, misleading sensitivities, and in arrogant defiance of God’s truth.

Apostasy began in the Garden of Eden when the devil first cast doubt upon truth when he said, “Did God really say . . . ” (Gen. 3:1).  This opening salvo hurled against the clarity and precision of God’s Word led to the Fall and to all subsequent heresies that use human feelings and reasoning to make truth more palatable to society.  The result is not a church that converts the world, but the world that converts the church.

Apostasy in the church often begins with the best of intentions, usually under the banner of tolerance.  For example, the ELCA’s progressive theology permits women elders and pastors, in spite of God telling us that elder/pastors are to be male (1 Tim. 3:2-4; Titus 1:5-6) and that women are not to be in positions of authority in the church (1 Tim. 2:12-13; 3:15).  “But these are antiquated ideas,” they say.  “We need to be more progressive and inclusive,” say others.  With such declarations, God’s biblical truth is softened and reshaped into more agreeable forms, and this leads to other liberal ideas including the support of homosexual clergy.  Why?  When you disregard the clear teaching of God’s Word in one area, it is that much easier to do it in others.  Any church anchored, even a little, in its own wisdom will always drift towards apostasy.

Therefore, many in the leadership of the ELCA have sinned against God by compromising His Word and offered an evolving, contemporary theology.  In other words, they’ve sold out to the enemy, compromised the Faith, and violated scripture.  Such moral degradation, no matter how well-intentioned, is a sign of profound apostasy.  Should Christians stay in such a church?  No.  “Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins,” (Rev. 18:4).  The ELCA needs to repent of its sin and stand firm on God’s Word.

But does this mean that Christians should condemn homosexuals to the pits of hell while accusing them of being perverts and sodomites?  No.  The Christian church should welcome homosexuals into its doors so they might hear the words of Christ preached and experience the love of Christ’s people.  This does not mean we approve of their sin, but it does mean we show them what true love is.  After all, they are made in God’s image and, like us, are trapped in various sins.  We should be careful not to point fingers unless it is to point to the cross.

Christians need to stand on the Word of God, believe what it says, and not compromise its truth for the sake of personal preferences, social pressure, or the praise of others.  “Woe to you when all men speak well of you . . . ”
(Luke 6:26).  Christians are to be lights to the world, not stumbling blocks that prevent the lost from seeing the holiness of truth and “woe to him through whom they come,” (Luke 17:1).  Woe to you who are full of dead men’s bones (Matt. 23:27), who promote that which is unholy as something worthy of the service of God.

Romans 1 tells us that God’s judgment is upon the hearts and minds of those who promote ungodliness.  Just read verses 24-32 and see how God gives people over to their sins and false teachings so they not only believe the lies but heartily teach them!  This is judgment from God, and it has fallen on those not professing Christ.  How much more is that judgment upon those who do?  The majority of the people of the ELCA have voted to support the enemy’s doctrine.  How great is the fall from truth when those who seek to be charitable have, in the sweet name of tolerance, inadvertently aided and abetted the enemy of the gospel?  Their judgment is coming.

The corruption of Egypt slowly ingrained itself on the people of Israel.  When God sought to deliver them, they complained.  Even in the midst of God’s great miracles, Israel turned its attention back to what it was most familiar with: idolatrous Egypt.  But God had to tear his people from that land and deliver them into his will at a great cost.  And they still complained.  They continued to seek the comfort of Egypt, the ways of Egypt, the culture of Egypt.  They were more concerned with the ungodly than God’s truth.  So too with the ELCA.  It is Egypt.  It is corrupt, filled with the apostasy of compromise and pseudo-religiosity that it offers to the world in the name of the Holy Christ.  What plagues are next?