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Here are downloadable resources on a number of topics. Click on one of the categories below and then scroll down to browse through the list. Some of the links are to PDF files and some are links to resources found on other websites.

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Bible, Theology & Ethics

  • Scriptural Engagement
    Quick notes on scriptural interpretation. (001)
  • The Bible, the Church, and Faithful Discernment
    Article by Rev. Dr. Brian Peterson, Professor of New Testament, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary. He writes, "[W]e need to avoid, as much as possible, confusing the authority of the Bible with the authority of poor translations, incorrect assumptions, partial knowledge, or contested interpretations." (044)
  • Background on Biblical Texts
    Background Essay on Biblical Texts prepared by the ELCA for “Journey Together Faithfully, Part Two: The Church and Homosexuality.” (002)
  • Homosexuality and the Bible — Walter Wink
    Relevant exposition of the discussion by noted theologian. (003)
  • Reflections on the CWA and the Bible — Timothy Wengert
    Comments about scriptural appropriateness of the CWA09’s decisions by Professor Timothy Wengert of Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. Published in the September 2009 Journal of Lutheran Ethics. (004)
  • Concerning Bound Conscience — Timothy Wengert
    Scriptural and Confessional foundations for the concept of “bound conscience,” by Prof. Timothy Wengert. (005)
  • Where Hope and History Collide — Bishop David Brauer-Rieke
    An online multimedia presentation by Bishop David Brauer-Rieke. Includes sections on "Romans 1," "Care for Families," "Peter, Cornelius, and change," and "Living with Freedom." Brauer-Rieke is bishop of the Oregon Synod (ELCA). 86 minutes.
  • Hope, Homosexuality, and Hospitality — Bishop David Brauer-Rieke
    An online multimedia presentation by Bishop Brauer-Rieke. Covers issues of biblical interpretation, exploring Gen. 2 and 19, Lev. 18 and 20, Acts 15, 1 Cor. and Tim., and Rom. 1-4. Brauer-Rieke is bishop of the Oregon Synod (ELCA).  95 minutes. 
  • Biblical Resources From the RIC Ministry Planner. Various resources are cited. (006)
  • Bible: Study Resources for a Reconciling Ministry
    From the RIC Ministry Planner: Two resources for bible study are cited and discussed. (007)
  • Bible: Studies on Homosexuality and the Church
    An excellent study guide on the interpretation of the biblical verses used against LGBT people, done in the ELCIC. (008)
  • Bible: the Clobber passages
    The seven verses often used against LGBT people. Arranged to be used in discussion. (009)
  • Is Homosexuality a Sin?
    From the RIC Ministry Planner: a discussion with references. (010)
  • Being the Body of Christ
    An LC/NA theological position paper. (011)
  • The Top Five Things I Miss When Lutherans Talk about Sex
    Martha Stortz discusses the “The Top Five Things I Miss When Lutherans Talk about Sex” in the hope that a new conversation might be crafted by Lutherans in which these things would be addressed: distinctively theological discourse that addresses Christian identity, orientation to the body of Christ, the practice of baptism, and the lifestyle of discipleship; a serious discussion of Second Article concerns; explicit discussion of embodiment both in human flesh and in the body of Christ; attention to the kind and quality of relationships we have as sexual human beings who are also members of Christ’s body; and the virtues that are enabled by Christian discipleship in relation to sex. From the Journal of Lutheran Ethics. (013)
  • For God Is Also the God of Bodies
    Deifelt’s article, “For God is Also the God of Bodies,” retrieves for us how Luther’s theology treated embodiment and sexuality, revolutionizing the church’s understanding of sexuality and sexual expression as an intrinsic part of God’s creation and treated bodies and embodied sexuality in a positive manner. This set the stage for Luther’s rethinking of Christian sexual ethics. From the Journal of Lutheran Ethics. (014)
  • Re-Thinking Adolescent Sexual Ethics
    Kate Ott’s article, “Rethinking Adolescent Sexual Ethics,” makes a case for rethinking how the church deals with sexuality and sexual ethics for adolescents. She argues that the church’s common “just don’t do it” approach to sex with adolescents is less than helpful in dealing with the positive meanings of sexuality, the characteristics of healthy relationships, or the pleasure derived from sexual relationships. An approach to a morally responsible sexuality would help, in her view, to develop a more mature adolescent moral agency about sexual behavior in developmentally sound ways. From the Journal of Lutheran Ethics. (015)
  • A New Vision of Marriage as Vocation
    Laurie Jungling’s article, “Called to Serve Life: A ‘New’ Vision of Marriage as Vocation for the Lutheran Tradition,” argues that an approach to sexual ethics and roles based on considerations of biological forms as determinate of relationships is inadequate. Such an ethic should be succeeded, she maintains, by a well-developed understanding of marriage as a calling from God grounded in relational, rather than biological, forms. We are called to serve one another in life-giving relationships, she argues, regardless of the form of the relationship or its participants. Those relationships should manifest “right relationship,” shalom, and justice. Marriage is a particular calling involving three inter-connected kinds of relationality — interpersonal contextual relationality, socio-communal relationality, and erotic relationality — in and through which marital partners serve one another and others in the world. From the Journal of Lutheran Ethics. (016)
 

ELCA Policy, Churchwide Assembly

 

Liturgy, Preaching & Worship

 

Ecumenism

  • Comments from Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko
    Greeting from the Lutheran World Federation, brought to the 2009 Churchwide Assembly by the Rev. Dr. Ishmael Noko, General Secretary, August 22, 2009. (034)
 

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