You may be seeing this soon:
[Younger Lutheran theologians are] attempting to reclaim a bit of Lutheranism’s more “Orthodox” past. Dissatisfied with the status quo, they themselves are survivors of a pro-contraception, pro-divorce, pro-abortion, and now pro-same-sex “marriage” culture. These theologians would suggest that the prevalent (and primarily academic) post-Kantian theological paradigm, one that appeals chiefly to the writings of Luther and relies heavily on Lutheran theological shorthand, is far too elastic to deal effectively with the ethical problems of today. These younger theologians would point both to the past and present as proof. For example, based on an understanding of the orders of creation teaching, some German “Confessional Lutherans” supported the early efforts of National Socialism, including public policies discriminating against Jewish persons.1 More recently, and after jettisoning the authority of God’s Word as well as natural law in moral matters, some American Lutherans have appealed to Luther’s teaching on vocation to justify same-sex “marriage.”2
Younger Lutheran theologians would suggest that while natural law does not present a comprehensive set of rules and regulations for every situation, it does provide a rational, external and objective critique of the “diverse and strange teachings” (Heb 13:9) that arise due to our sinful human condition. With St. Paul, Luther, and Melanchthon they would affirm that the natural law (Rom 2:14), which is written on the hearts of men (Rom 2:15), is accessible through the use of human reason (sin is irrational; Rom 1:21-22), and is objective, God-given “truth” (Rom 1:18). Thus, natural law would find no apparent reason to prohibit a Jewish man from marrying a German woman. However, natural law would prohibit the marriage of two men or two women, regardless of race. Why? Because marriage (if the term is to mean anything) pertains to one man and one woman united for the chief purpose of procreating and nurturing children. This objective, unalterable truth, imbedded in human nature itself,3 is demonstrable not only from clear passages of Scripture, but also from natural law.
- Werner Elert. “Der Christ und der völkische Wehrwille.” (1937).
- Laurie A. Jungling. “A New Vision of Marriage as Vocation for the Lutheran Tradition.” Journal of Lutheran Ethics. VII:2 (2007). Available at: http://www.lcna.org/resources/downloadable-resources. Accessed April 18, 2011.
- Philipp Melanchthon. Ap XXIII (XI):6. Concordia, 211.
