The Error of Their Ways
(commentary on the ELCA's sexuality decisions)

The two sides of the sexuality debate nominally defined as the sets of "bound consciences" named in the documents are both wrong!

First, the writers of the sexuality documents, in claiming the adherents to positions "for" or "against," possessed something that could be labeled "consciences bound to a particular interpretation of scripture," did us a GOOD service by naming the idolatry present in each of those positions. Namely, the "in curvatus in se" inherent with every interpretation of scripture.

Luther, before emperor and pope, declared his conscience bound to the Word of God--that is, Jesus Christ! He was not "curved in" on himself. In fact, his words were another way of confessing with the Apostle Paul: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me!" Or, even as the Apostle gave to the Philippians: "Have this mind among yourselves which was in Christ Jesus." To be "bound" to an interpretation--something of our own doing--is to make an idol of ourselves and our ability to "know" scripture. We DO NOT interpret scripture. Scripture INTERPRETS us!

Secondly, the two sides--no matter the actual words used--were arguing about the authority of the "letter," that is, the Law. The "for" position is really nothing more than a refurbished Antinomian argument. The "against" position puts forth a Nomian argument in guise of scriptural authority. The Antinomians seek to free themselves from the Law in this creation (the world) just as they are free from the Law in the New Creation (heaven). The Nomians desire the Law to reign in the New Creation (heaven) just as it is established in this creation (the world).

Both sides, then, do not actually represent "sides" of an argument at all but merely positions on the same moral continuum. As such, there is really no difference between them, only a matter of degree. Neither one has Christ categorically.

Thirdly, when one has Christ categorically--that is, as THE Way, THE Truth, & THE Life, then one is no longer concerned with the moral continuum and its illusory sides of "Nomian" and "Antinomian." Instead, one has the Law as it's held in the paradoxial tension between these poles: "Christ is the end of the Law for all who believe!" AND "Do we thereby abolish the Law? By no means! We establish it." Living within this paradox is to engage God's two-fisted rule of creation: both Justice AND Mercy. Neither one can rule alone.

This, then is error of our ways: we are busily careening between ruling by justice or ruling by mercy without realizing that in doing so we are only substituting one tyranny for another.

Thanks be to God that, in HIS LOVE, he does hold Justice AND Mercy together so that we can have life in both this creation and the next.

And...
Thanks be to God that he sends a preacher so that in hearing God's Word both justice and mercy will be done to me.