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Watch Those Presuppositions
Don Olsen
I recently completed a second group study of Journey Together Faithfully, Part 2 (JTF2). The first was a congregational study, and the second was with our Word Alone chapter. Through all the discussions regarding the blessing of same sex unions and the rostering of gay and lesbian persons in committed relationships, no one changed their minds. Apart from some insights gained on both sides, no one “crossed the line” and converted. It is obvious both sides are firmly established and reluctant to change.
A critical factor in the discussion is always one’s starting point. Some start with themselves, their own thoughts, feelings and experiences, their own sense of compassion and ideas of fairness: their own knowledge and opinions and naturally end up interpreting the Scripture in a way that supports or at least, allows gay behavior and gay unions within the Christian church. Others start with Scripture, our Lutheran Confessions and Tradition, and our ELCA Constitution which “accepts the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the Inspired Word of God and the authoritative source and norm of its proclamation, faith, and life,” (ELCA Constitution, Chapter 2.03); these people end up letting the Scripture speak for itself and interpret their life style. The two positions could hardly be further apart.
The presuppositions one begins with determines the outcome. Proceed from a false assumption and the conclusion will also be false. This was evident in our group studies. For example, one presupposition from the JTF2 on page 19 states that “the ELCA recognizes that for some people homosexual orientation is a given,” inferring a homosexual is born that way. However, “Behavioral geneticists find no evidence for this widely held belief that homosexuality is genetically determined.” 1
A second presupposition from JTF2, page 9 states; “some interpreters in this church have pointed to the relatively few passages directly addressing the matter of same-sex conduct as an indication of its relative unimportance.” However, “incest does not even appear on any of the vice lists”… “does this mean that the NT writers probably waffled on the issue of incest?”2 The answer is, No.
Other examples could be given, but my point is that where we begin already determines our outcome. And since everyone has their own presuppositions, I believe that we need to look at those things that have stood the test of time. Dr. Alvin Rogness at Luther Seminary said, “The Scripture is an anvil that has worn out many hammers.” The Scripture has served us well for thousands of years. It has been and continues to be trustworthy. It has not and will not fail us. In Jesus High Priestly prayer in John 17, Jesus prays, “sanctify them in the truth. Thy word is truth.” Truth does not change. It is the same yesterday, today and forever. Truth is that upon which we can rely and which guards and protects our life if we submit to it as our authority. Either we let the Scripture be our authority in all matters in faith and life or we are our own authority. One is a decision for life, and the other a decision for death.
Don Olsen is a retired pastor who serves as a chaplain
at St. Cloud Hospital
Further Reading:
www.mcsletstalk.org/v9n17a.htm
Endnotes
1 Strommen, Merton P., The Church and Homosexuality: Searching for a Middle Ground, page 26.
2 Gagnon, Robert A. J., The Bible and Homosexual Practice,
page 433.
