Sincere deception and the homosexualized Evangelical Lutheran Church of America
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, the country's largest Lutheran denomination, now has its first openly gay bishop from Los Angeles, California, who has been elected to a six-year term.
The Rev. R. Guy Erwin was elected Friday to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA's Southwest California Synod at the church's annual assembly in Woodland Hills, Calif, the denomination said in a statement, noting that "Erwin is the ELCA's first synod bishop who is gay and in a partnered relationship."
Erwin, interim pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, Calif., was elected on the sixth ballot receiving 210 votes of 381 cast. The synod is made up more than 120 congregations in five counties.
This is the deception right here: "The ELCA is a church that belongs to Christ, and in it there is a place for all," The Associated Press quoted church spokeswoman Melissa Ramirez Cooper as saying.
Further deception: "The election of Pastor Erwin illustrates what many in the 4 million-member church believe: that God calls each of us by name." Correct God calls each named person to repentance of their sin not celebrate their sin.
The election follows the denomination's controversial 2009 rule change allowing gays and lesbians to be ordained, a move that has cost the church over 600 congregations since then. This will continue to grow as they depart a corrupt now longer church of Christ.
Further deception blaming: "There was a time when I believed that I would not be able to serve as a pastor in the ELCA. Our church has now recognized the God-given gifts and abilities that LGBT people can bring to the denomination."
Look at how deception describes itself, as having deep faith in Christ's presence. People who are deceived will come across as loving, genuine and sincere, but likewise they can be sincerely wrong. 2 Thess 2:10 addtesses this exact situation.
The Rev. R. Guy Erwin was elected Friday to a six-year term as bishop of the ELCA's Southwest California Synod at the church's annual assembly in Woodland Hills, Calif, the denomination said in a statement, noting that "Erwin is the ELCA's first synod bishop who is gay and in a partnered relationship."
Erwin, interim pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Canoga Park, Calif., was elected on the sixth ballot receiving 210 votes of 381 cast. The synod is made up more than 120 congregations in five counties.
This is the deception right here: "The ELCA is a church that belongs to Christ, and in it there is a place for all," The Associated Press quoted church spokeswoman Melissa Ramirez Cooper as saying.
Further deception: "The election of Pastor Erwin illustrates what many in the 4 million-member church believe: that God calls each of us by name." Correct God calls each named person to repentance of their sin not celebrate their sin.
The election follows the denomination's controversial 2009 rule change allowing gays and lesbians to be ordained, a move that has cost the church over 600 congregations since then. This will continue to grow as they depart a corrupt now longer church of Christ.
Further deception blaming: "There was a time when I believed that I would not be able to serve as a pastor in the ELCA. Our church has now recognized the God-given gifts and abilities that LGBT people can bring to the denomination."
Look at how deception describes itself, as having deep faith in Christ's presence. People who are deceived will come across as loving, genuine and sincere, but likewise they can be sincerely wrong. 2 Thess 2:10 addtesses this exact situation.
Erwin, who is also a professor of Lutheran Confessional Theology at California Lutheran University, was quoted as saying that he brings a "deep faith in Christ's presence in his church lived out in 20 years of parish experience blended with university and seminary-level teaching. In the years I've waited for the day I could be ordained, I lived out both vocations at the same time. They have been mutually enriching, and I am a stronger scholar (and a better pastor) for having done both," according to his biographical information.
Erwin lives in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif. He earned a doctorate degree, two master degrees and Bachelor of Arts degree at Yale University.
The ELCA says it has more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region.
Erwin lives in the Woodland Hills area of Los Angeles, Calif. He earned a doctorate degree, two master degrees and Bachelor of Arts degree at Yale University.
The ELCA says it has more than 4 million members in nearly 10,000 congregations across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region.
