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Absence or Contempt
In response to Alan Williams’s inquiry on baptism (Letters, Sept./Oct. 2005), I was taught that the Lutheran position on baptism is that it is not the absence of baptism that condemns, but the contempt of baptism that does. I don’t know where [this] came from, but during my ministry I always taught that when discussing baptism.

Baptism most certainly does not work ex opere operato, and Mark Granquist is ... correct to cite the Apology of the Augsburg Confession, Luther, and our Lutheran theologians who rightly opposed this false doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church (Letters, Sept./Oct. 2005). Neither does the Sacrament of Holy Communion, nor simply being at church and hearing God’s word!

George B. Shealy
Walhalla, South Carolina

... Alan Williams ... quoted Mark 16:16: “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved but he who does not believe shall be condemned.” It is important to mention that five modern theologians have followed Paul in Romans 11:11-36. In this passage Paul maintains that “... all Israel will be saved” (Romans 11:25a) and then in Romans 11:28-29 “As regards the gospel they are enemies of God, for your sake; but as regards election they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers. For the gifts and the call of God are irrevocable.” Many of the major theologians of the last century such as Karl Barth, Emil Brunner, Gustaf Aulen, Paul Tillich, and Reinhold Niebuhr followed the Apostle Paul’s passage from Romans.

What we have to say is that Scripture is not consistently of one mind on this and other issues. Accepting Paul’s affirmation that all of God’s children will be saved would be a healthy boost to the restraint of “judging not, that we be not judged.” Humble Christians are also healthy Christians.

Boyd Gibson
Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania

Age Discrimination?
I object to the full-page U.S. Army advertisement (page 5, Sept./Oct. 2005). My objection is not separation of church and state or because I disagree with current wars being fought. I object on the basis of age discrimination. The U.S. Armed Forces will not consider pastors over the age of 37 to begin service as a chaplain. I believe that 37 is under the median age of ELCA seminarians these days. I am offended that I and other ELCA clergy, particularly those of us [who are] trained and professional chaplains, are excluded from serving the needs of enlisted men and women and their families simply because of age. I can accept the requirement of physical fitness for some positions.

Since the Army does not consider the vast majority of ELCA clergy eligible to serve with them based strictly on age, I believe we should not accept [its] ads.

Thomas Miller
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Practicing Faith
I enjoyed the article on “Young Men’s Search for Identity and Spirituality” (Sept./Oct. 2005).Thank you for a well-written article.

One insight I have had in all my congregations served is men tend to practice their faith with their hands and not so much in group settings (cognitively).

For instance, to invite many men to Bible study and coffee is like asking them to get a dental root canal. But in my area, men’s dartball (throwing darts at a baseball diamond dartboard) is one activity that thrives.

If one tries to get men on a worship and music committee, it is hard. But many would be willing to construct bookshelves, stain and finish woodwork, and tear out old carpets....

David Coffin
Ada, Ohio

Israeli Perspectives
I was pleased to see a review of The Dividing Wall among the Sept./Oct. 2005 video reviews. This resource has been sent to every ELCA synod as part of the church’s new campaign, “Peace Not Walls – Stand for Justice in the Holy Land,” launched by Churchwide Assembly action in August 2005.

One comment that caused concern, however, claimed the video offers “little material presented from the Israeli side.” At its outset the video features a young Israeli woman, volunteering with the Israel Committee Against House Demolitions, who expresses her commitment to justice and peace. An Israeli father whose daughter was killed in a suicide bombing is interviewed as well.

Reviewer Geoffrey Scott’s counsel that viewers look for additional material has value. No single resource can completely cover such complex ground. And good resources are available that provide varied perspectives for adult forums. One list can be found at www.elca.org/peacenotwalls on the web. And for youth, try “Through My Eyes,” a 16-minute video available through ELCA Global Mission. It features two young Lutheran women, one an American, Hmong Ly, the other a Palestinian, Louna Tanous, getting to know each other on a trek through the Holy Land.

For more resources, go to www.elca.org/middleeast on the Web.

Ann Haften
Weatherford, Texas

Spreading Ideas
I am very likely the only reader of Lutheran Partners to have noted the connections between three items in the Sept./Oct. 2005 issue. The first is the article “Responding to Rumors...” and Michael Rothaars’ opening story that refers to damage done by rumors. The second item is the book review of Presumed Guilty by Peter J. Tomson and reviewed by Lawrence Wohlrabe. [The book is] subtitled “How the Jews Were Blamed for the Death of Jesus” and deals with the subject of how the Christian Church has used this issue in its anti-Jewish rhetoric and terrorism. In his preface Peter Tomson writes, “After this separation, to be a Christian appears to be synonymous with being anti-Jewish.” The third item is also a review of [the video] The Dividing Wall, “that looks at Israel’s ongoing construction of the concrete wall.”

There have been repeated references to “the wall” in The Lutheran and in much that I have read from ELCA sources, coinciding with the constant references by the Mid-East Council of Churches, The World Council, The National Council, etc.

The fact is of the several hundred miles (not yet completed) of the separation fence (author’s emphasis), less than 3 miles is a wall, and that [was done] to protect Jerusalemites from snipers. The “wall” is repeatedly referred to as a terrible inconvenience and frustration to the Palestinians, but never is reference made to the deaths and maiming and terror suffered by those (whom the fence is now trying to protect). The recent first-ever attack on Beersheba is the result of terrorist frustration by the fence. It is also a fact that terrorism has been clearly diminished by the fence. Webster’s Dictionary defines “propaganda” as “information or ideas methodically spread to promote or injure a cause, nation, etc.”

M.B. Buzz Kahn
Terrebonne, Oregon

Original Righteousness
It is my hope that the opinions of George L. Murphy do not reflect the stance of our ELCA (Handiwork, “Where Did We Come from?” Sept./Oct. 2005). He states that the major question for Western theology concerns the understanding of “original righteousness.” I would suggest rather that it is whether we want to keep the doctrine of soteriology intact. You cannot do away with Romans 5 which deals with the fall of man and his restoration through the cross. Without gutting the Christian faith completely, I wonder why the Rev. Murphy wishes to remain a minister when the foundations of the historical Christian faith have crumbled before the onslaught of natural selection.

Darwin well knew that the wondrous natural world could not have come about by “blind chance.” They are the result of a “grand sequence of events” (see the General Summary in The Descent of Man). He refuses to use the term create, but the words “produces” and “evolves” really mean the same. Natural selection becomes the creator, and God is only the simple understanding of primitive man. [Darwin] holds out hope for a master race which is delayed because we [humans] refuse to let natural selection deal with the unfit of humanity. Shades of Hitler and Stalin? Evolution is not scientific fact; it is simply idolatry in a new guise with its prophets and priests.

Man may be unique with his bipedalism, but his brain is what ultimately distinguishes him from other creatures. In theology, man is made in the image of God, and is not a beast ... I suggest a re-reading of Darwin ... Or glance at Darwin’s Black Box by Michael J. Behe, or look at Loren Eisley who does pretty well for a nonbeliever. Never underestimate the clout of the Educational-Scientific-Governmental complex; they have much at stake in promoting evolution.

Let’s return to some simple axioms: something can’t come from nothing; chance results in chaos; order comes from design. Let’s not jettison the faith for what is popular and leaves out God. He still is in control (see Psalm 2).

Lester P. Polenz
Mansfield, Ohio

Fellowship of Peacemakers
Some people of conscience believe that war is an effective and justifiable method for achieving peace. Other people of conscience believe that war is morally unacceptable and not the answer for resolving international conflicts.

A remarkable thing about our country is that provision is made for those persons who are conscientiously opposed to participating in war. Many young people who are opposed to war in any form, based upon a moral, religious, or ethical code are experiencing difficulty resisting enlistment in the military even though such enlistment is voluntary. One of the consequences of the extended occupation of Iraq by U.S. forces is the increasing difficulty military recruiters have in achieving their enlistment goals. Aggressive and intrusive strategies are being employed by some recruiters that are intimidating to many young people.

It is vital that young people who are opposed to war consider carefully the consequences of signing the Military Enlistment Agreement. They should know that if the draft is reinstated, it is important that they begin now to build a file documenting that they are conscientiously opposed to war. Most young people do not have this information. It is therefore vital that they, their parents, school counselors, clergy, and others know how to access the resources that will help them make informed decisions.

There are non-governmental organizations which provide information and counsel for those seeking alternatives to military service. For the youth of our church and for those who counsel them, the Lutheran Peace Fellowship (www.LutheranPeace.org or phone 206-720-0313) is an excellent resource.

By providing information and counsel to our young people, we help to implement that section of our church’s social statement, For Peace in God’s World, which addresses this issue: “This church today needs the witness of its members who in the name of Jesus Christ refuse all participation in war, who commit themselves to establish peace and justice on earth by nonviolent power alone, and who may suffer and die in their discipleship. We support members who conscientiously object to bearing arms in military service.”

We pray that God the Holy Spirit will deepen our commitment and effectiveness in pursuing our calling as peacemakers.

Bernard Kern
North Richland Hills, Texas

Engaging Issue
The issue that Harlan Norem raises in “Silence and Questions” (Letters, May/June) and to which others have responded is one that won’t go away. And, it is one in which all pastors must engage.

As an example of how deep the questions go in our congregations, I sit in on our confirmation class which is taught by a dedicated woman using the “Winking Luther” (i.e., Lutheran Handbook) materials. One thirteen-year-old bright young lady has all kinds of questions which are a product of our interpreting the Bible literally for centuries and the stories don’t make sense to her. Her questions baffle the teacher who is ill-prepared to deal with her questions because all her life she has always heard the Bible stories as if they were history (we’re doing the Ten Commandments and brought up Adam and Eve).

Unlike Robert Kleinke who responded in the September/October 2005 issue to Norem’s letter, when I asked my seminary O.T. professor, “How can we preach this kind of stuff?” his answer was, “You can’t.” I regarded that as a challenge and have been attempting to unravel many of the mysteries of both the Old Testament and the New Testament for the laity. I know, some adults go away shaking their heads but they keep coming back for more. And, many are growing spiritually at a faster pace.

I try to include some background material in each sermon and I print out the sermon so that anyone can take a copy home to re-read or give to another who could not come to church. Our congregation’s web-site includes the sermon on the Saturday before it is preached so that anyone who wants to be prepared for it can do so. Occasionally, we have a “dialog” sermon in which the congregation can ask questions and give comments while I try to restrain myself from “preaching” during this dialog sermon. I am usually “blown away” by their interest, concern, questions, and comments; even visitors participate.

I think Norem and Kleinke (and all the others out there) are doing the right thing. It would be nice to have some help from our leadership, but actually if we are open to the leading of the Holy Spirit, what could be better?

David L. Michel
Baltimore, Maryland

Emphasizing What God Does
I had a conversation with a parishioner who is on the other side of the sexuality debate. She felt I ought not to be discussing this in our congregation as I am opposed to ordaining [non-celibate homosexuals] and blessing [their unions]. [She added that] I ought to leave the ELCA since I am “unhappy” with welcoming gay/lesbian/ bisexual/transgendered (GLBT) persons (I am not, but I don’t believe we have the biblical authority to bless what is described as sin), and I have no right to take the congregation with me.

I explained that it is my responsibility as pastor to present the theological issues facing the ELCA in an open and fair manner. I also have an obligation to adhere to my ordination vows to faithfully preach and teach according to Scriptures and the Confessions. I assured her that if the ELCA had voted to bless and ordain [non-celibate homosexuals], I would have to look seriously at resigning, explain to the council why, give them whatever information [that is] appropriate, and call in the bishop. What the congregation did then would be their responsibility. Her response was that it is unloving to not fully include GLBT folk and I would be happier in the Roman church. (I actually would be happier in the Orthodox Church).

We are at a point where we only see each other in caricatures. I know there are deeply committed believers in both camps. I also know that there are fanatics on both sides who would burn down the whole thing in order to win their point. I love this church, and if it were ever my sad decision to leave I would do so in tears.

It does appear at times that consciously or unconsciously, the ELCA is pressuring folk like myself to go. We hear comments like: “We need to live next door to gays for ten years” or “We once believed the world was flat.” We read the call by Bishop Hanson for a council on biblical interpretation and locating the crisis “almost entirely in a fundamentalist-millenialist-apocalypticist reading of scripture” with no mention of the hermeneutic on the other extreme which is as dangerous to the church as fundamentalism.

I am convinced that we are more concerned with “justice” than salvation as if Jesus’ death and resurrection were only for the purpose of creating a new utopian community. I have understood the purpose of the church to be the proclaiming of the death and resurrection of Jesus for the salvation of the world. We are at our best when we are presenting the good news so that people may turn from their sin to Jesus.

Anything we do to endanger salvation, no matter how right and good it may appear to us, is a failure of our purpose. For us to bless and ordain [non-celibate homosexuals] is to allow what was once called sin to be no longer sin. Indeed, it is to encourage sin, thus encouraging those participating in it to endanger their salvation.

We will one day stand before God and give an account of our lives. If we attempt to stand on our advocacy, the justice we did, the social programs we instituted, or any other thing no matter how good and holy it may have been, we will hear, “depart from me, I do not know you.”

If we stand solely on Christ, regardless of our works, we will be welcomed by the Father. I see too much in our church that places the emphasis on what we do and not enough on what God has done.

Gary Hatcher
Greene, Iowa

Doing and Not Doing
The October issue of The Lutheran reported the usual small decrease in membership and increase in total giving for 2004, continuing the pattern observed each year since the formation of the ELCA in 1988. Total Sunday attendance has gone down 9.5 percent since 1988 in spite of a number of churchwide evangelism and outreach emphases.

I submit that the reason for this decline is what ELCA parish pastors, in aggregate, do — or don’t do — week after week, month after month, year after year. I suspect that churchwide priorities and programs have a limited influence, at best, on this. I suspect the important factors are the personal characteristics pastors bring to their ministry, their seminary training, and the way synod leaders influence them.

Edward Uthe
Flourtown, Pennsylvania

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