To the Editor:
Some years ago now, when I was a staff chaplain at Regions Hospital, I remember a former Minnesota Governor say something like the following to an audience of about 1000 pastors. He hoped no one would take the new ELCA to court for truth in labeling, referring to the word "evangelical." A Google search "What is an Evangelical?" includes this distinctive: "Biblicism: a high regard for and obedience to the Bible as the ultimate authority."
To have a former presiding bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America appeal to his brothers, "The Catholic Bishops of Minnesota" in the Star Tribune, December 8, 2011, and tell them they are making "a significant mistake" when they "work for the adoption of the so-called marriage protection amendment" was ludicrous to me! It was the priest, Martin Luther, who challenged his brothers because he discovered the teaching in the Bible that "the just shall live by faith alone."(Romans and Galatians).
Then to have the Minneapolis Area Synod of the ELCA vote on February 17 to go "on record against changing the state Constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman" suggests the possibility of their ignorance of what the Scripture teaches about that very matter.
Jesus does care about "these sons and daughters of my church!" quoting the former bishop. Jesus also reserved his harshest criticisms for the religious leaders who disregarded the very words of God contained in the Scriptures!
As Archbishop Nienstedt of the Saint Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese said to me in a recent email: “I appreciate the sentiments that prompted you to write. Let us continue to work and pray for the passage of the Marriage Amendment.” As a protestant I am grateful for one of his parishioners, David Gaither, who will support that amendment.
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. S. Kenneth Nelson
The Bible also clearly states that any man who lays with another man should be put to death and end up in Hell. Do you think we should do that? The Bible endorses Polygamy, do you think we should change our laws to bring that back? In Exodus 21:10, a man can marry an infinite amount of women without any limits. In 2 Samuel 5:13; 1 Chronicles 3:1-9, 14:3, King David had six wives and numerous concubines. In 1 Kings 11:3, King Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. In 2 Chronicles 11:21, King Solomon's son Rehoboam had 18 wives and 60 concubines. I could site more evidence, but suffice it to say - marriage is not only a religious thing it is a legal thing that gives spouses certain benefits under law. That is what gay partners seek. When I say I support gay marriage, I am referring to civil marriage. I want gay people who are committed to each other to have the same rights, responsibilities, and benefits as married heterosexual couples: the rights to inheritance, insurance, social security, pensions, hospital visiting, taxes. property ownership, decision making, funeral arrangements, etc.