Mr. Erdner writes:
In a normal relationship, a heterosexual couple is expected to refrain from physical intimacy until they are married. It's the whole "save yourself for your wedding night" thing, which is so obvious it shouldn't need to be brought up. The statement at the end of a real wedding between a man and a woman, "You may now kiss the bride" is a euphemism for "You may now engage in intercourse later tonight to consummate the marriage".
I comment:
There are so many errors there that it would be futile to try and make clarifications.
Mr. Erdner writes:
The "blessing" of a homosexual relationship is a twisted parody of marriage as God intended it, with the implication that once the homosexual partnership is blessed, they can engage in homoerotic activity without it being an act of sin, which is a lie.
I comment:
See above. And we need not go - once again - down the road of wondering just what "homoerotic" or any-kind-of-erotic activity (another repetitive concerrn of Mr. Erdners) really is.
Mr. Erdner:
Maybe you and Stoffregen could either change your own thinking and return to Lutheranism instead of practicing your own unique variation, or you and Stoffregen could find a new label for your personal belief systems.
Me.
Pastor Stoffregen and I are clergy on the roster of the ELCA, and - so far as I can tell from his posts here - operating well within the discipline of the ELCA, as (I hope) am I. At least in nearly 44 years of preaching, teaching and working with people in the LCA and ELCA, and holding positions on national and international Lutheran organizations, no one has run from my sermons or classes and no one has brought charges against me.
Maybe Mr. Erdner could abandon his curious obsession with the two of us, cease the personal attacks (two or three or more in recent days) and get on with something else. I have asked moderators for relief from these kinds of assaults, and a few of his remarks were deleted after my complaints, but the pattern continues.
Nonetheless, cheers to all. This humble corresponent is still fascinated by the recent week in the Persian Gulf, engaged in a couple of worthwhile writing projects, looking forward to a visit to grandchildren this spring, and some more exotic travel in the fall.