Pastor Nate Walther

Grace Lutheran Church (WELS)

Minot

Recently in a letter to the editor (“Support Legislation that Reflects North Dakota Values”), a number of Christian clergy supported pro-LGBTQ+ legislation, the majority of which were Lutheran clergy. I was not among them, and I wish to respond to the letter.

This letter said, “we believe Jesus preached a Gospel that embraces the marginalized,” and it heavily implied the LGBTQ+ lifestyle is in harmony with what the Bible teaches. Unfortunately, they didn’t cite the Bible at all, which is a curious omission since a major tenet of Lutheranism is to follow Scripture Alone. As such, I would like to clarify that Jesus did not so much embrace the marginalized as he embraced those who were looking for a Savior from their sin. While sin unfortunately caused such people to be marginalized in their heavily works-righteous society (another regrettable sin), it was their repentance over sin that led Jesus to embrace them. As Jesus did this, he himself still upheld traditionally Christian values of gender and sexuality (Matthew 5:28; 19:4-6), urged sinners to leave their life of sin (John 5:14; 8:11), and spoke strongly against those who had not repented of their sins (Matthew 18:15-17, Luke 17:3).

It is why it would be more biblically accurate to say, “Jesus preached a Gospel that embraces all who repent of their sin, whatever the sin may be.” Biblical Lutheranism teaches that Jesus expresses his love primarily through his perfect life and sacrificial death on the cross for all sin. Those who follow Christ should hold each other to that standard: not by dismissing certain sins (such as the letter did), but by pointing out all sin (first of all, my own), and then by sharing Christ’s free love and forgiveness with those who repent. That is a viewpoint all Lutherans should embrace.

Lutherans who don’t embrace it aren’t Lutheran, at least not by the historical use of the term, and that includes the clergy who signed the letter. It is an example of how some Lutherans simply do not subscribe to the traditional and time-tested beliefs of Lutheranism. Please do not assess all Lutherans by what was said in that letter, as there are many Lutheran pastors who would disagree with it. Instead, get to know your local Lutheran church and what they believe and teach.