Lutheran Pastor Responds
Letter to Editor of The Bellevue Gazette January 29, 2004
Rev. Raymond F. King, interim pastor
Faith Lutheran Church, AALC, Blackduck, Minn.
To the Editor:
My brother and sister-in-law recently returned from Bellevue with some
clippings from the editorial page of your newspaper. They were of great interest
to me as they dealt with an issue which is important in the church today. That
is the issue of Biblical
teaching concerning gays, which was addressed by the guest column entitled
"God's judgment will be against gays" written by Pastor Ralph Flynn of
the Faith Bible Church.
It is obvious Pastor Flynn is a student of Scripture, and uses Scripture to interpret Scripture. He has my admiration.
What concerns me is the letter of rebuttal which was offered by five area clergy who were disappointed in Pastor Flynn's column. What heightens my personal concern is one of these pastors is a Lutheran. This leaves the impression all Lutherans believe as he does. I wish Rev. Henry Seibert had been honest enough to let your readers know what synod or association he belongs to.
The Bible makes it clear homosexuality is a sin, just as stealing, murder, profanity, gossip, etc. are sins. God is a God of love, therefore he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to call sinners to repentance. That does not negate his commandments nor the coming judgment. They are still in place. It is only when we confess our sins we are washed clean in the blood of Christ.
All sinners including gays, are welcome in the congregation I serve. For 43 years I have had the privilege to step into the pulpit, a sinner telling other sinners where to find forgiveness. It is an awesome responsibility.
Shame on those pastors who fail to preach God's Word in truth and purity.
Thank you for allowing me to let your readers know not all Lutheran pastors agree with Rev. Seibert.