Examining bioethics, morality, and culture from a distinctively orthodox Lutheran perspective. Site dedicated to the Holy Family.
Posted in Uncategorized on Dec 2nd, 2009
In a stunning blow to same-sex marriage advocates, the New York State Senate rejected (38 to 24) efforts to legalize same-sex marriage, despite prior approval by the State Assembly and heavy lifting by Democratic Governor David Paterson. This action is sandwiched between last month’s voter rejection of Maine’s same-sex marriage law and a similar contest [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Nov 23rd, 2009
BioEdge notes that “bioethicist” has become a dirty word for some Americans. Now, apparently, atheist bioethicists are starting to flex a bit more muscle:
They recently published an article in the Guardian’s “Comment is free” blog, under the headline, “Stand up, stand up, against Jesus”. They reject accommodationist atheism which cozies up to religious people if [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Nov 2nd, 2009
Among hot political contests in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York tomorrow, Maine voters have an opportunity to overturn a law recognizing same-sex marriage in that state. You can read more about it in this AP report.
How did New England get to be so liberal? As I mentioned here, you can blame it (partly) on [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Oct 11th, 2009
The New York Times reports today on a myriad of problems associated with in vitro fertilization. Seriously folks, the risks–not to mention the troubling moral issues–of this type of emotional appeasement are far, far too great. Better to accept the Lord’s will and to adopt children who are already here. From the article:
While IVF creates [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 29th, 2009
Pardon me for being a provocateur, but there’s something missing in the current charges being leveled, albeit charitably, from some “conservative” Lutherans against the recent ELCA decisions to allow for same-sex marriage and the rostering of ELCA clergy in life-long, monogamous, same-sex (oh, good grief–any more modifiers?) relationships. It’s a case of going far, but [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 29th, 2009
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 27th, 2009
At Lutherans and Procreation, Pastor Keith asks,
Dr. Baker, could you please elaborate on the “strong divine command theory ethic”? I was recently accused of perpetrating the heresy of “taking the Bible literally”, an error which was portrayed as being a phenomenon which sprang up in the early 1900s in response to scientific advances. I think [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 22nd, 2009
The recent hoopla trickling down from the ELCA’s General Assembly occurring this week in Minneapolis over the adoption of Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust, as well as a revision of clergy expectations for rostered leaders in that church body, has renewed my interest in how my own denomination, officially (or rather, semi-officially) deals with the [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on Aug 19th, 2009
Meeting August 17-23, the Churchwide Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is now in session. On the docket for deliberation is the church’s proposed social statement on sexuality, Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust. The church is expected to vote on the proposal this Friday.
From the ELCA News Service:
[Speaking to the Assembly,] Dr. Robert [...]
Posted in Uncategorized on May 19th, 2009
Station KUOW reports that Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire signed a bill today extending the legal rights of married couples to gay and lesbian couples. Noted Gregoire,
It is time for all us here in the state of Washington to stand up and say, ‘We stand for justice. And we stand for shared responsibility to one [...]
The Reverend Robert C. Baker, B.B.A, M.Div., is an ordained pastor in The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, and serves the Church as an editor at the denomination's publishing house. He is currently pursuing an M.S. degree in Health Care Ethics at Creighton University. He is the author of What Happened To Merry Christmas? and How Do You Start a Fire with Water? and has authored or edited numerous Bible studies and books.