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| Q: | I have been confused and trying to find out the difference between WELS and ELCA what are the real differences in your opinion? | ||||||
| A: | Leading theologians of the ELCA have abandoned confessional Lutheranism and have attacked and undermined some of the most basic doctrines of Scripture. Although the ELCA may give some lip service to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions, the doctrine of the confessions are not maintained. There may still be a few "conservative" pastors in the ELCA, but they are members of a church body that espouses and tolerates false doctrine. Below are listed some teachings of WELS and corresponding false teaching espoused or tolerated in the ELCA. 1. WELS teaches that the Bible is the verbally inspired and inerrant Word of God. Most pastors in the ELCA hold to the view that the Bible contains many errors. 2. WELS teaches that Jesus' words and actions as reported in the Gospels are true and accurate history. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that Jesus did not say or do many of the things ascribed to him in the Gospels. 3. WELS teaches that Genesis 1-3 is a factual, historical account and that Adam and Eve were real people. Most pastors in the ELCA seem to hold to the teaching that Genesis 1-3 is a myth. 4. WELS teaches that Jesus' death was a true payment for the sins of the world. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that the "theory" that Jesus' death was a payment for sin is one of several theories which could explain his death. 5. WELS teaches that our Savior was born of a virgin by the power of the Holy Spirit and that our Savior rose bodily and phyrsically from the grave on Easter Sunday. Many prfessors and pastors in the ELCA deny the virgn birth and the physical resurrection of our Savior. 6. WELS teaches that eternal life is possible only through faith in Jesus. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that it is possible to be saved without faith in Christ. 7. WELS teaches that extramarital sex and homosexuality are sins. The ELCA tolerates the teaching that extramarital sex and homosexuality may be all right if practiced in a loving relationship. 8. WELS teaches that churches must agree on all doctrines of Scripture before they can practice church fellowship together. The ELCA teaches that it is not necessary or possible to agree on all doctrines of Scripture. Fellowship is practiced without regard to doctrinal differences. 9. WELS teaches that it would be contrary to Scripture for a woman to serve as a pastor. The ELCA teaches that what the Bible has to say about the role of man and woman in the church has no authority today. Therefore women may serve as pastors. For a much more detailed explanation of the differences between the Wisconsin Synod and the ELCA you might want to read WELS and Other Lutherans by Prof. John F. Brug, Prof. Edward C. Fredrich II, and Prof. Armin W. Schuetze; and What's Going On among the Lutherans? by Patsy A. Leppien and J. Kincaid Smith. Both of these books are available from Northwestern Publishing House - www.nph.net | ||||||
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