Issue 5 | September 2020
CORE Voice Newsletter, Issue 5, September 2020
In This Issue

  • Is there such a thing as truth?
  • Why do we need to be able to respond to Critical Theory (CT)?
  • Why don't CT proponents seem concerned about authority or loyalty?
  • How have revisionists ended debate?
  • Does same sex marriage have God's blessing?

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What is Contemporary Critical Theory?
submitted by Pr. Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

Lutheran CORE defines its mission as being a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans. As a Voice for Biblical Truth we feel called by God to serve as a sentinel to warn people of forces and movements in our world today – even in the church - that are incompatible with if not actually hostile to the historic, orthodox Christian faith.  

One of the mindsets and movements that are growing and prevailing today – within our culture and, unfortunately, even within some segments of the Church – is Contemporary Critical Theory. There are two articles within this issue of CORE Voice which deal with this very powerful and I believe very dangerous force within our world today.

There is a major difference between the claim that "there is no truth" and the claim that "there is truth, but we have a hard time seeing it on our own." While those who are more orthodox-minded may be inclined to assert the latter, those who are not so orthodox-minded may be inclined to assert the former. The former has its roots in the claims of Contemporary Critical Theory. ...
The Christian Alternative to Critical Race Theory
by Pr. Brett Jenkins, Dean, NE Mission District of the Atlantic Mission Region, NALC, & former member of the board of Lutheran CORE

... if it seems that the proponents of Critical Theory are “tone deaf” to some of the moral concerns expressed by other, more “conservative” people, it is because they are. For the “liberal” adherent of CT, the mere presence of inequity is all the proof needed that injustice is occurring.  

The existence of the inequity natural to and predicted by a system that rewards merit is the prima facie evidence that revolution is needed. Whether the proposed system could actually create the desired equity and whether that equity would be balanced with other moral concerns (everyone living in social and/or economic squalor is, after all, a type of equality) need not be seriously contemplated, because the only value in view is equity, which is defined as fairness that provides the necessary care for everybody. ...
How the Revisionists Re-Framed the Sexuality Debates
by Pastor Steve Shipman, Dean, Western Mission District of the Atlantic Mission Region, NALC, & former Director of Lutheran CORE

I have watched how those holding the revisionist position on sexual ethics have brilliantly re-framed the debate in ways that put those of us holding to traditional biblical ethics at a disadvantage in convincing others. They managed to frame the debate in such a way that any opposition to their positions seemed unjust or even sick.

Once we turn sexual orientations into civil rights instead of behavioral issues, we have been placed at a significant disadvantage in defending the biblical view of sexuality. And that is exactly what has happened.

A second brilliant move by the sexual revisionists is even more frightening ...
Thank You and Warm Welcome
by Pastor Dennis D. Nelson, Lutheran CORE Executive Director

One of my greatest joys and privileges while serving as executive director of Lutheran CORE is to be able to work with such an outstanding board of directors. This is a very dedicated group of seven men and women who love the Lord, love the church, and are committed to the work of Lutheran CORE.

As a board, we want to say thank you to Pastor Steve Gjerde as he goes off the board after many years of faithful service on the board. Pastor Gjerde is senior pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wisconsin, one of our most faithful supporting congregations. Pastor Gjerde is very articulate in his defense of the orthodox Christian faith, as shown in the many articles he has written for CORE Voice. He always has good ideas and was always able to help the board think through the issues. When Pastor Gjerde spoke, people listened. We look forward to a continued strong relationship with Zion Lutheran, and for many more articles written by Pastor Gjerde.

While we say thank you to the senior pastor of Zion Lutheran, we also express a warm welcome to one of the associate pastors of Zion Lutheran, Chris Johnson, who was recently elected by the board to serve on the board. Prior to serving as associate pastor at Zion Lutheran, Pastor Johnson served at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Escanaba, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula. His former congregation hosted a couple of events through their local chapter, Northwoods Lutheran CORE. This chapter hosted a convocation and presented on Lutheran CORE at several Northern Great Lakes Synod Assemblies. Pastor Johnson hopes to provide insight for the board as a “younger pastor.” He is already helping with the project to develop and post video book reviews of several of the items contained in our List of Confessional Resources on our website.
The Key Question Remains Unanswered
by Pr. David Charlton, Lutheran CORE Vice-President

Editor's Note: In this article, author David Charlton thoughtfully critiques Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans, a commentary on Scripture. It was written by Reconciling Works which advocates "for the full welcome, inclusion, and equity of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) Lutherans in all aspects of the life of their Church, congregations, and community." While independent, Reconciling Works is closely affiliated with the ELCA.

The moral law, as described in Romans 1:19-20, still applies today. It has a twofold function, the so called civil use and theological use of the Law. In its civil use, the Law defines the boundaries that are necessary for any healthy community. The Law in its civil use finds many forms of expression, but some things remain the same. Murder, adultery, theft, lying and envy are universally detrimental to community.  

The question remains whether the prohibition of sex outside of heterosexual monogamous marriage is part of the obsolete ceremonial and civil law of ancient Israel, or whether it is part of the moral law, which remains valid today. If it is part of the ceremonial law, it is no longer mandatory for Christians. If it is part of the civil law of ancient Israel only, then it need not apply to us today. However, if it is part of the moral law inscribed in the human heart, then it still applies in both its civil and theological uses.  ...
Is My Pastor About to Quit?
by Dr. Don Brandt, Director, Congregations in Transition for Lutheran CORE

You might say we are beginning to witness the proverbial straw that is about to break the camel’s back. The camel, in this case, is the Protestant ordained ministry. (Including, of course, Lutheran pastors.) The straw is the current pandemic, and all the ways it is contributing to the work-related stress of pastors in this already infamous year of our Lord, 2020.
   
 And yet the “straw” metaphor doesn’t do Covid-19 justice. This pandemic and its consequences would have been hard to even imagine just ten months ago. Yet here we are. ...
The Nations at Our Doorstep
by Pr. Keith Forni, Lutheran CORE Member and Encuentro Convener

Many Lutheran church buildings feature cornerstones with dates and historic references chiseled in languages other than English.  In cities, towns and open country congregations across the United States, these heritage markers may well be in German, Danish, Swedish or Slovak. They embrace a bilingual or multilingual legacy, while parishioners now worship and serve primarily in English.

Increasingly, in these ministry contexts, Spanish is heard on the streets, in shops and school yards. Hispanic-Latino (“Latinx”) populations are rapidly growing. The Great Commission of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, speaks with power to such communities in the 21st Century. ...
Coming Events
  • LCMC 20th Annual Gathering and Convention - Arden Hills, MN at North Heights Lutheran Church on October 5, 2020. This event will be live streamed. Only 250 delegates can attend in person. Click here.
  • Encuentro 2020 - Click here.
  • 2021 Pro Ecclesia Conference - June 7-9, 2021. Click here.
  • 2021 ELCA Youth Gathering - postponed until 2022.
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Lutheran CORE's mission:
  • A Network for Confessing Lutherans
  • A Voice for Biblical Truth

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