Hinlicky's challenge to the ELCA after the vote

In Paul Hinlicky's "post-mortem"on the ELCA churchwide assembly calling for 'separation, not divorce'  I realize more clearly that ever that we progressive theologians in the ELCA have some hard work to do. It ought to have been done better long ago but alas, it must be done now. What work do I mean? He writes:

"There are good Christians, good people, and good theologians who have sided with the religious Left in this controversy. I am sorry that I have not been able to persuade them of their error. That is my failure and the failure of my side. The people I am talking about believe that they can steer the religious Left back to some form of a “generous Christian orthodoxy.” I wish them well. I hope they succeed and prove me wrong. But I doubt it."

He argues that what is at stake is articulating a foundational theological argument for our actions as a church, an argument that is grounded deeply in Scripture and the Confessions, as well as ecumenical theological conversations on the relevant issues. Only through such an argument can the sort of broad consensus--not just within the ELCA but within the Church catholic--make clear that this is not simply a caving to culture, as those who wish to uphold traditional positions on this might say.  In making the argument that we must have such a broad consensus on the theology of what we're doing, he draws on one of the theologians and church leaders I most respect in the world today--Rowan Williams--writing in response to the Episcopal Church's vote this summer on electing gay bishops.  I don't have the time now, just as I start a really busy semester, to deal adequately even with Paul's post, let alone the larger issues he (and Rowan Williams) raise.  But for starters, I'd say, in order for progressive theologians to make the case that we haven't simply gone wrong, we ought to read and seriously grapple with Paul's just-published book: Paths Not Taken: Fates of Theology from Luther through Leibniz (Eerdmans 2009).  Only reading progressive theologians on the topic is not enough.  Those theologians who will stay with the ELCA but do not agree with its direction offer the rest of us a gift if we choose to take it--exactly the thinking partners we need in seeking to better articulate the 'generous Christian orthodoxy' which might not only persuade them but a broader catholic church as well.  I'll write some posts about Paths Not Taken later this fall as I get time to read it and look forward to hearing from others who might do the same.

Anon, and peace,

Chris

Comments

[www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=571131908]

I completely agree with you, Chris, and I hope to do some writing on this in the spring (unfortunately I am too swamped with other deadlines this fall!). I did want to alert you to Mike Root's new blog on the CWA decisions if you have not seen it:

http://lutheranspersisting.wordpress.com/

[Paul Hinlicky]

Thanks for this comment, Chris. I do not know any other way forward through this brokenness than the hard work you prescribe. I admire your intellectual honesty, which I have found rare in recent months. May your tribe increase. Paul Hinlicky.