Marriage and Family
Lutheran CORE will...
- Monitor the implementation of the Orlando churchwide assembly decision on human sexuality by synods and churchwide leaders;
- Prepare model resolutions for synodical assemblies on marriage, the family, and human sexuality. Such resolutions will lift up the Biblical understanding of marriage as a gift from God;
- Participate actively in the development of a proposed social statement on sexuality. We will sponsor conferences and seminars and will prepare theological papers related to marriage, family, and human sexuality.
Resources for 2009 ELCA sexuality task force report
- Carl Braaten's Critique of the two documents from the ELCA sexuality task force
- Robert Benne's response to the report from the ELCA sexuality task force - When There Are No Biblical or Theological Grounds to Change, Don’t
- Pastor Jonathan Jenkins, Lebanon, Penn., using the reasoning and concepts of the ELCA sexuality task force, has with tongue in cheek written Implementing Resolutions in Support of the Ministry of Rostered Indulgences Salespersons
- Response to the task force report from the pastors of St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, Roanoke, Virginia - Pr. Mark Graham, Pr. Gerald McDermott and Pr. Elijah Mwitanti
- Sample resolutions to use at synod assemblies to ask the ELCA churchwide assembly to reject the social statement on sexuality and the rostering recommendations from the sexuality task force
- Lutheran CORE leaders urge rejection of ELCA task force recommendations - you may download a short news release or a longer news release in response to the ELCA sexuality task force proposals that you can send to your local news media or distribute in congregations
Resources for 2008 ELCA draft social statement
- Lutheran CORE's summary response to ELCA Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality
- A Response from Lutheran CORE to the Draft Statement on Human Sexuality by former bishops Kenneth Sauer and Paull Spring
- Some Questions and Answers about the ELCA Sexuality Discussions - Lutheran CORE offers this resource to help members of ELCA congregations to participate in the process leading to an ELCA Social Statement on Sexuality and to enable them to better understand some of the questions on human sexuality that will be considered at the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.
- Keeping Faith - the arguments that support upholding the biblical norms for sexuality
- Carl Braaten's A Critique of the "Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality"
- Robert Benne also has a response to the ELCA draft social statement on First Things' blog - A Sexual Ethic for Teletubbies, or Lutherans Embrace a Formless World
- Open letter to the ELCA sexuality task force and the ELCA bishops about the draft social statement on human sexuality and a resource on the Use of Scripture in the draft statement by Dr. Stephen Hultgren
General resources
“Loving Our Homosexual Neighbor: What does love mean?” a presentation given by Rev. Dr. David Glesne of Redeemer Lutheran Church, Fridley, Minn. to the Twin Cities WordAlone Chapter meeting in March, 2009.- The Bible and Sexual Boundaries by Craig R. Koester
- Law and Sexual Behavior by Gerhard O. Forde
- Is Orientation the Issue? by James H. Burtness
- The Normative Character of Scripture for Matters of Faith and Life: Human Sexuality in Light of Romans 1:16-32 by Gerhard O. Forde
- "Is it lawful to marry?" by Philip Nesvig
- New Testament on Homosexuality by Walter F. Taylor Jr.
- The Use of Scripture in the "Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality" by Walter F. Taylor Jr.
- Personal Reflections on and Recommendations Regarding Draft Social Statement on Human Sexuality by J. Jeffrey Zetto, Th. D., Pastor, Bethany Evangelical Lutheran Church, Montoursville, Penn.
- What Are They Talking About? #1, review of ELCA draft social statement on sexuality by Pr. Jonathan Jenkins
- What Are They Talking About? #2 review of ELCA draft social statement on sexuality by Pr. Jonathan Jenkins
- Pastoral Letter on the Continuing Discussion in the ELCA Concerning Homosexuality by Pr. Tom Renquist
- How Bad Is Homosexual Practice According to Scripture and Does Scripture's Indictment Apply to Committed Homosexual Unions? by Robert A. J. Gagnon
- The Authority of Scripture in the "Homosex" Debate by Robert A. J. Gagnon
- Global Anglican Future Conference (GAFCON) in Jerusalem
- The Bukoba Statement by the Bishops of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania (ELCT)
Links to other pertinent documents
- Sexuality: Some Common Convictions (ELCA Church Council Message, 1996)
- Sex, Marriage, and Family (Lutheran Church in America, 1970)
- Human Sexuality and Sexual Behavior (American Lutheran Church, 1980)
- Teachings and Practice on Marriage, Divorce, and Remarriage (American Lutheran Church, 1982)
- Vision and Expectations (ELCA standards for rostered leaders)
- Definition and Guidelines for Discipline (ELCA guidelines for discipline)