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God’s Will —
for Sexuality and Its Appropriate Use
WordAlone Document
Whereas, the confession of faith in the ELCA constitution (2.02) “accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life”; and
Whereas, the Scriptures testify that God created the gift of sexuality (Genesis 1 and 2; Mark 10:6-9; Ephesians 5:28-33); and
Whereas, the Scriptures clearly teach that marriage is a life-long bond of faithfulness between one man and one woman and the context for which sexual intercourse is reserved (1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Hebrews 13:4; Galatians 5:16-19); and
Whereas, that Biblical teaching about sexual life has shaped and continues to shape the moral fabric of civilization in profound and positive ways; and
Whereas, that Biblical teaching about sexual life is facing unprecedented challenges in society and the church; and
Whereas, a tradition so universal and valuable should not be changed without overwhelming Biblical and confessional warrant; therefore
Be it resolved that the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America—all members, churches, synods and the churchwide organization—honor and uphold Biblical teaching about sexual life and its vision for marriage and urge all Christians to do likewise; and
Be it further resolved, that no proposed change in standards and definitions for sexual life or marriage that contradicts this Biblical teaching be approved.
Rationale and Convictions
As the ELCA considers proposals to bless same-sex unions and allow people living in such unions to serve as rostered ministers, this resolution affirms the clear teaching of the Bible concerning the gift of sexuality and the structure within which God intended it to be used, and calls the ELCA to adhere to that teaching. While the resolution clearly opposes the current proposals, it is primarily meant to hold up the positive Biblical witness to God’s intention for the gift of sexuality.
Sexual intercourse between a man and a woman is a powerful, living expression of how husband and wife are united and bound together within the holy estate of marriage, so that, as Jesus says, “they are no longer two, but one flesh” (Mark 10:8). As husband and wife come together, they merge with a sexually complementary counterpart, re-unifying what was separated when God created male and female (Genesis 1:27, 2:21-23). It is also the means by which they obey God’s first command to “be fruitful and multiply” (Genesis 1:28).
The Bible declares that, because of the power and purpose of sexual intercourse, God limited its use to the context of marriage and prohibited all other sexual practices. Those prohibitions flow in four directions, forbidding sexual activity with those who are too young (pedophilia), too close to us (incest), too different from us (bestiality) and too much alike us (homosexuality). What is left in the center is man and woman as sexually complementary beings, united into one flesh in an enduring and exclusive bond of marriage. This structure for the use of sexuality is grounded in the very framework of creation.
This Biblical witness to the purpose and appropriate use of sexuality is clear and unequivocal. Attempts to refute it, though many, all require profound and unconvincing sophistry. Journey Together Faithfully - Part II concludes, “there is general agreement that the Bible has nothing positive to say about same-sex intercourse” (p. 17) and the same is true of all other sexual practices which deviate from the created norm of one man and one woman within marriage.
Therefore, the deeper issue in this debate is not sexual behavior, but the authority of the Bible for the life and teaching of the ELCA. If we still believe, as the ELCA constitution says, that “the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments (are) the inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life,” then the Bible must determine our teaching, behavior, standards and policies in the area of sexuality. Thoughts, desires, activities, rites and norms that contradict the Bible are, by definition, ruled out.
Adhering to this central tenet of Christian faith and Lutheran theology opens the door to positive, faithful discussion of how God calls all people, regardless of their sexual desires, to live in chastity and obedience to the Word of God. United in that call, we can support one another, with love and compassion, in faithfully living it out.