Lutheran Fundamentalists headed out

It didn't take too long for the fundamentalists in the ELCA to call for a parting of the ways. Threats of a split coming from CORE, the Lutheran equivalent of the Southern Cone. They've called for a September meeting of "True Christians" and CORE has renounced any recognition they've received from the ELCA.

The statement begins

Lutheran CORE leaders are calling on faithful Lutherans to meet in Indianapolis in September to begin an expanded ministry that draws faithful ELCA congregations and members together. They are also encouraging ELCA members and congregations to direct finances away from the ELCA churchwide organization to faithful ministries within and outside of the ELCA.

Lutheran CORE is continuing in the Christian faith as it has been passed down to us by generations of Christians. The ELCA is the one that has departed from the teaching of the Bible as understood by Christians for 2,000 years.

Later we find a Chapmanesque tone to the statement.

Lutheran CORE will be working together with faithful Lutherans from throughout the ELCA to defeat both the proposed social statement and the proposal for blessing and ordaining practicing gay and lesbian persons. We have voting members and volunteers ready to bear witness to the truth as it has been revealed in Scripture and confessed by faithful Christians for nearly 2,000 years.

Consideration of these proposals threatens the ELCA's relationship with our partner churches in the Lutheran World Federation. Church leaders from Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe have already written letters stating that approval of the sexuality proposals would greatly damage the ELCA's relationship with their churches. These proposals will also severely damage the ELCA's relationship with Roman Catholics, Orthodox, and most Protestant Christians.

In reality, this debate is not about sex. It is about the source of authority in the ELCA. The ELCA claims that the Bible is the source and norm of its faith and life. The sexuality proposals are based on a different source and norm. They reject the clear teaching of Scripture and seek consensus on a different basis. The question is whether the ELCA practices what it says it believes. [Emphasis added.]

Where have we heard all of that before? The full statement is here. Perhaps the group will flee to Duncan, who is the reincarnation of Martin Luther, for refuge.