Is it Now OK to Sin? It is a very confusing and troubling time for many Lutherans in the ELCIC today. Their confidence in the Bible as the Word of God is being shaken and what they believed at the time of the merger to create the ELCIC in 1986 is under challenge. Readers of this 120-page book by Rev. Dr. Lothar Schwabe will find it invaluable to understand the source of the confusion in their lives and to give them confidence to face the uncertain future before them in the ELCIC Click here to Download "Is it Now OK to Sin" in PDF

            “The same-sex blessing debate is only the tip of the iceberg. If homosexual behaviour is not a sin, then there is nothing that keeps the Church from ordaining non-celibate homosexuals as pastors or bishops. But that is only a very small portion of the current theological make-over in our Church. Our Lutheran theology is being hollowed out to a point where our Church becomes Lutheran in name only. The teaching of Revisionist Theology is producing pastors who will be at odds with the vast majority of members whom they are called to serve.
            Yet I see some hopeful signs. The confrontation with Revisionist Theology is causing Lutherans to take a serious look at their faith. This confrontation has a revitalizing effect on many of our members who coasted along with a faith that had become superficial. In a way similar to the revival movement in Norway in the 19th century, our lay people are rising to defend the faith in a risen and living Lord Jesus.
            …The same-sex blessing debate has been a wake-up call for the Church. It has produced a crisis that strains the unity of several denominations. As with any crisis, the current theological upheaval also presents an opportunity. Christians are challenged to search and struggle with what they believe. That could well lead to renewal of churches where going to church had become a matter of tradition.
            The struggle between the sides representing different theologies is intense. Both sides come to very different conclusions based on very different approaches to Scriptures. Both sides are sincere and convinced of their theological positions. This book aims to encourage fellow Lutherans not to give up on their traditional understanding of Scriptures.”

-- Excerpt from the “Introduction”

Contents
          
Introduction

Part I
What are the differences between Traditional Theology and Revisionist Theology?
Thinking, Being, and Theology
The Vanishing Law
On Hormones, Brains, and God - A Theology of Checks and Balances
If it is natural, is it OK?
Unconditional Grace - Gospel or Heresy?
The Barmen Confession and the ELCIC
Part II
I Have Been Thinking (Twelve Discussion Stimulators)
1. Can our constitution accommodate the local option for same-sex blessings?
2. Deeply-held convictions - can they be harmonized?
3 Can ordinary Lutherans be trusted with discerning false teaching?
4 Do Scriptures support same-sex blessings?
5. Can reason be the deciding factor in same-sex blessings?
6. A New Theology and New Hermeneutics?
7 Is it “just” a local option?
8. Should divisive issues be kept from our members?
9 A diverse Lutheran Church - are there any limits to acceptable diversity?
10. Is it OK to be sneaky about the New Theology?
11. Can the emphasis on “love” in Revisionist Theology be a heresy?
12. Unity and Different Theologies?

Part III
The Ten Commandments (Eight Sermons)

I Am The Lord, Your God, Exodus 20:1-7
Take Care of Yourself, Exodus 20:8-11
Take Care of Your Family, Exodus 20:2
Take Care of Life, Exodus 20:13
Take Care of Your Marriage, Exodus 20:14
Do Not Steal, Exodus 20:15
Tell the Truth, Exodus 20:16
Beware of Greed, Exodus 20:17

Part IV
What happened to our Canadian values?
Isaiah 45:23, Romans 14:10b-12A

Reformation Sermon
2 Timothy 3:4-16, John 17:17,
2 Peter 1:20-21

 

Dr. Lothar Schwabe worked as a Lutheran pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and as a management consultant to the public sector and the oil industry. His wife Hanna is also an ordained Lutheran pastor. They live on an acreage in Sherwood Park, near Edmonton, Alberta.

To order “Is it Now OK to Sin?”
Please submit your request to Dr. Schwabe at lotharschwabe@shaw.ca. The cost is $10 per copy plus postage.

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