Senior pastors from a number of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) congregations recently gathered to approve a simple statement of faith. The Dorado Covenant has since attracted the signatures of many pastors and laypeople from across the ELCA. I believe that this simple statement bespeaks the sentiments of the vast majority in the ELCA.
There is a crisis confronting this denomination of which both I and the congregation I serve are partners. In a nutshell, the crisis is over what is the ultimate authority over the Church's life, faith, and practice.
Lutherans have always been "people of the Word." That is, we have always held that the inspired Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are the authoritative source and norm of all we say, do, and proclaim.
No Lutheran would claim to be perfect or to understand Scripture perfectly.
Every Lutheran would claim the Augsburg Confession's affirmation that it is sufficient for the unity of the Church that the Gospel is rightly proclaimed and the sacraments rightly administered. No other authority is needed but that of God as expressed in His Word, apprehended by faith, given to us by Jesus Christ.
But today in the ELCA, it seems that some would replace the authority of Scripture with the authority of an episcopacy.
Others would replace the Bible as God's authoritative voice with science, societal trends, sociological musings, or even fleeting emotions.
The most prominent current flashpoint in this crisis of authority is the debate and official study of sexuality and homosexuality. I believe that most members of the ELCA want to be welcoming to all people who desire to sincerely repent and wrestle with their sin and those who wish to sincerely battle their own temptations. This includes those who would identify themselves as being gay or lesbian. But each day, we face a steady drumbeat of propaganda---from both official and unofficial ELCA sources---telling us that such an open, loving attitude is insufficient. We're told, in effect, that we must now legitimize some sins. We're told that the Bible must be overridden by a new stance more in touch with feelings, than with God's clearly expressed will.
But it is cheap and eternally destructive grace to tell people that overt and unrepetentant rebellion against God is acceptable.
Being a coward by nature, I would prefer not having to stand with the Bible on this and other issues. And on the issue of homosexuality, I would like to be able to cave into what has clearly become the prevailing view of our culture. But as Christians, we are called to be countercultural and to be faithful to the whole counsel of God.
This is why I find the Dorado Covenant and its simple affirmations so refreshing and encouraging. They incite hope in me that we may yet see our Lutheran body clearly and unambiguously stand for the authority of Scripture in all phases of our lives.
Below is the text of the Dorado Covenant. You can learn more by going to the web site: http://www.doradocovenant.org/about.htm.
The Dorado Covenant
1. We covenant to teach a high view of Scripture. We trust the Bible to be the only final authority for all aspects of life.
2. We affirm an aggressive, positive stance on kingdom expansion and congregational growth.
3. We choose to advance the use of all spiritual gifts through unleashing the priesthood of all believers.
4. We teach and practice that a full sexual relationship belongs exclusively within the biblical boundaries of a publicly committed legal marriage between one man and one woman.
5. We believe that mission and ministry is best accomplished within the context of congregations. Facilitating that mission and ministry should be the central focus of all expressions of the Church.
The Original Signers
Bill Bohline, Hosanna, Lakeville, MN
John Bradosky, Epiphany, Dayton, OH.
Eric Burtness, St. Matthew, Beaverton, OR
Chuck DeHaven, St. Paul, New Braunfels, TX
Steve Dornbusch, Calvary, Golden Valley, MN
Roger Eigenfeld, St. Andrews, Mahtomedi, MN.
James Glesne, Decorah, Decorah, IA
Roger Gordon, King of Glory, Tempe, AZ
James Hinkhouse, Kinsmen, Houston, TX
David Housholder, Grace, Huntington Beach, CA
Mike Housholder, Hope, West Des Moines, IA
Tim Johnson, Zion, Anoka, MN
Mike Nelson, Alleluia, Naperville, IL
Ralph Olsen, King of Kings, Woodbury, MN
Olaf Roynesdal, East Side, Sioux Falls, SD
Scott Suskovic, Christ, Charlotte, NC
Paul Ulring, Upper Arlington, Columbus, OH
John Weber, Christ Our Shepherd, Peachtree City, GA
George Weinman, Roseville, Roseville, MN
David Zellmer, Lutheran Memorial, Pierre, SD
We invite individuals, pastors and church councils to sign this document.
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