The third study document on sexuality from the ELCA, "Journey Together Faithfully, Part 3," was released this past week. All churches should have received a copy in the mail. Where the last study (Part 2) focused on the issue of homosexuality and homosexual behavior, this study focuses more generally on the larger issue of sexuality in church and society.
To say that this study is better written than the previous one is not saying much. Unlike the former document on homosexuality -- which clearly put the Scriptures and Confessions on the shelf in favor of our own 'modern understandings' -- this study at least appears to want to be grounded in the Bible and Lutheran tradition. Materials provided on the Book of Galatians and Luther's "Freedom of a Christian" are fairly well done. How well the study is actually informed by these documents is for you to decide.
I encourage you to read the new document to see what you think. If you have any comments or observations to share, feel free to respond to this post (click on "comments" below). I would be happy to hear what you think.
Pastor Steven King
LC3 National Coordinator
