The Exclusionary Rule

In United States law the exclusionary rule is used when the police make an error in their investigation, such as interviewing a suspect without properly informing him of his constitutional rights. Any evidence gained from that interview will be considered “fruit of the poisonous tree” and excluded from the evidence allowable in court proceedings. So, it is very important that the police follow all procedures faithfully and according to the rules that the courts have set in place. Any errors can, and often do, allow a guilty party to go free on a “technicality”. Even though the leaders of the ELCA pride themselves on being all inclusive, accepting, welcoming and tolerant, they actually practice and embrace a system that is inherently exclusionary. By placing human understanding and opinion, otherwise known as bound conscience, in authority over Scripture, the Biblical scholars of the ELCA exclude our Lord’s intent from their interpretation of His Word. ELCA scholars debate the authority of Scripture while promoting a diminished role for God in the compilation His Word. These scholars have decided that the Bible’s writers were “limited by their times and world views, even as we are, and that the Bible contains material wedded to those times and places. It also means that writers sometimes provide differing and even contradictory views of God’s word, ways and will.” By this rationale, these learned scholars have determined that the exclusionary rule can apply to any portion of Scripture that is not pleasing to their itching ears.

ELCA scholars continue and state that, “we sometimes conclude either that the writer’s culture or personal experience seems to have prompted his missing what God was saying or doing, or that God now is saying or doing something new.” Proverbs 30:5-6, “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. 6 Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” God’s word was written for us through all eternity by the Holy Spirit inspired authors of Scripture. That these enlightened scholars and leaders of North America’s largest Lutheran Church have the audacity to promote otherwise is contemptible. Unfortunately, there are those that accept this flawed reasoning. Those new and returning to church were prompted to visit the “Digging Deeper” section of the ELCA website. Although this link has been removed for “clarification”, these links contained essays casting doubt upon the foundational beliefs of Christianity. Although the disclaimer cited, “the articles express the viewpoints of the individual writers; they do not constitute the ELCA’s official Confession of Faith”, they also stated that they, “were written by ELCA theologians and have foundations in scripture.” Why would those looking for Christ be directed to these links? These types of doctrinal discourse should be limited to theologians, not recommended to someone who is new or returning to faith. Unless the leadership of the ELCA intends to reform our Christian faith into a new and different type of religion, there cannot be a reasonable explanation for this.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10,”We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” As the ELCA deconstructs our faith and transforms it into their ideal religion, we must remember why we believe. We believe that we are justified, through Jesus Christ and that His death on the cross was atonement for our sins, that He was resurrected into life and that when we believe, we receive grace and are granted our salvation and eternal life with our Lord. Since the Gospel of Jesus Christ continues to be excluded from the ministry of the ELCA, why would we wish to remain in fellowship with a church that denies the very faith that this church is charged to uphold and proclaim? Inform your friends and neighbors that are trapped within the ELCA. Warn them of the apostasy that is overtaking their church. Advocate for our Lord, reject the gospel of social justice and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Help lead our brothers and sisters to a safe haven and to join a church that lifts up the Gospel of Jesus Christ and walks with, not against our Lord.