There’s No Debate

It’s August!

As children go back to school, will you help support our efforts to contend for their freedom to proclaim the faith too?

Recently, one among us complained that the LCMS has more often taken positions on the Republican side of things, with nothing from the Democrat agenda. I wonder if such complaints, from an opposite point of view, are made in the ELCA. What of it? Among the so-called Republican views cited were articles on being pro-life and warning against the rainbow revolution and the trans crisis. But these are not positions based on politics, though politics matter as a matter of justice and protection, but are essential to our humanity. Those who favor abortion, gay marriage, and the transgender agenda are in fact at war with the God of Genesis, the Author of creation. About such things there should be no debate among us, for to deny male/female, to deny the child in the womb is to deny Christ, who Himself lived in the womb of Mary, reiterated the truth of creation (Matthew 19, Mark 10) and came to be the groom for His bride, the Church.

Those whose churches promote such things are essentially saying that Jesus is not Lord. What of immigration? Climate change? About such things we can have discussion and debate. We would do well to note that these are issues pushed by the secular left and by those who are in the camp of Critical/Marxist theory. So, we might say we should exercise prudence, but it cannot be argued that to have a border is somehow unChristian. Likewise, we can speak of environmental stewardship, but we must keep in mind that the secular Left has a decidedly anti-human agenda. This could be seen in the theology/ideology of Margaret Sanger and is carried out still wherever birth control and abortion are considered sacred.

But we should add that we are living in strange times, at least strange compared to the world of our grandfathers. The Democrat party is now ruled by those who have an ideology that has become for them a religion. That is the nature of Critical Theory/Marxism. Marx did not simply offer more of this and a lessening of that. For Marxism to work, all other institutions must be gotten rid of or taken over. Marx and Lenin sought to put an end to the Church, because ultimate allegiance belongs to the state. Likewise, the movement against patriarchy is a movement against family as well as the fatherhood of God. Again, if Marxism is to reign, both church and family must be done away with or co-opted to be put at the service of the state. Your children belong to the state, hence the fight against homeschooling, vouchers, and the like. Hence, the Left's claim to take away children who identify as trans.

Christians who follow the Marxist agenda are, and I know this is harsh, but it is the language of Lenin, useful idiots. And for the most part, the Left has followed the path of Marcuse, spreading Marxism through a march through the institutions. And among these institutions are the churches. Who on the secular Left stood up for Jack Phillips and Barronelle Stutzman? Quite the opposite. For they said that Christians must toe the line of government, even if it means going against the truth of God, conscience, and reality. About many matters, we can have debate and discussion. But it is worth observing that when push comes to shove, when it is a question of the opinion of CNN, the Washington Post, and NPR, a church like the ELCA will always side with the secular elite over the words of scripture.

So, to say it is a matter of balancing Republican and Democrat issues is a misunderstanding. In the Christian way of thinking, God comes first, then the family, and then allegiance to our nation. We support political leaders who understand this and who fight against the government claiming to be all in all, the source of rights, the ruler of our families, and the dictator of our beliefs.

Perhaps the secular Left, especially those who claim the name Christian, might take a baby step and come out strong against abortion and might take a step towards reality, and fight against those who would sterilize and then mutilate confused young people. Suffice it to say, when it comes to the matters of God, the mainline churches have other, personally higher, allegiances.

 

The Rev. Dr. Peter Scaer is chairman and professor of Exegetical Theology and director of the M.A. program at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.

 

Be Informed
Hear a recent Issues, Etc. podcast about a judge’s attempt to block the defunding of Planned Parenthood with Margot Cleveland of The Federalist.

 

Be Equipped
“Abortion is the leading cause of death in America topping 1.1 million abortions in 2024.” Read more here.

 

Be Encouraged
“But this is only the beginning. Every dollar stripped from the abortion giant is a win for life, but the goal is total and permanent defunding and the closing of every abortion facility’s doors. No taxpayer should ever be complicit in violence. Every mother deserves real support, and every child deserves the chance to live.” –Lila Rose, Live Action

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HEAVENLY MINDED, EARTHLY GOOD!