Let's study before we make an irrevocable decision

You'll find the comment excerpted below in its entirety here. It's dated September 30 at 12:32 p.m. Let me make a few observations here.

Anonymous said ...
Saying "you twist words" is a great way to poison the well. We don't want to follow everything Luther said. He also said some pretty unsightly things about Jews that if I follow your logic would have been based in scripture. When you say the bible is clear it is confusing to me. There are interpretations on both sides of this issue that appear to be clear. Both sides have their own biases if you will. There is no way to say which one is right.

Luther used the one of the philosophies of the day to help him articulate his understanding of his Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. This philosophy helped him understand how God could be in the world but not of the world.

We do not have, in the Lutheran church, a corresponding anthropology that helps us interpret human beings as they appear and act in scripture. We just read and say, "that's clear." But so does the other side. This is why Tom's attempt to generate conversation here is so important. Important because we live in a different world than Luther and our anthropology would be different than Luther’s.

Of course the problem with what I am suggesting is that anthropology is a science and the fundamentalist branch of the Lutheran denomination rejects science as having anything positive to say with regard to faith. There is no evolution etc, etc. Consequently we end up in circular conversation as we have in this blog. It seems inevitable that the fundamentalists would have to split away from the ELCA and form their own church. Its unfortunate but it seems to be the only answer.

This post identifies some of the problems we face in this discussion. The problem remains that prior to a vote that will change the direction we as a church family take, we must have full and complete information with which to make such a decision.  This can only come from ongoing and in-depth conversation with those in favor of and those opposed to such a move.  We need to know why we should stay and why we should leave ELCA.  We need information before we make an irrevocable decision! 

Thank you for expressing your concerns so well.  Please remember to be present at the NOVEMBER 7 2010 congregational meeting and vote your conscience.  Yours in service to Christ, Tom.