Posted by AshFan at fwocpx01.ex.cargill.com on August 22, 2003 at 14:07:18:
In Reply to: Re: ELCA Lutheran Domination posted by Mrs. Robinson on August 22, 2003 at 14:01:20:
: I used to work at an LCMS school. They askeered me. What is the difference between elca and lcms?
The three main areas of difference between the LCMS and the ELCA are the following:
1. The doctrine and authority of Scripture.
The LCMS believes that the Bible is without error in all that it says. The ELCA avoids making such statements, holding that Scripture is not necessarily always accurate on such matters as history and science. Differences between the LCMS and the ELCA on the authority of Scripture also help to explain why the ELCA ordains women to the pastoral office, while the LCMS does not, and why the LCMS unequivocally rejects homosexual behavior as contrary to God's will, while the ELCA has yet to take an official stand on this issue.
2. Subscription to the Lutheran confessions.
The LCMS binds itself to all the doctrinal content of the Lutheran confessional writings of the 16th century. The ELCA binds itself only to the central teachings of the confessions and not to their entire doctrinal content.
3. The level of agreement necessary to join together in one church body.
While the LCMS believes that the Bible requires agreement in all that the Bible teaches, the ELCA holds that disagreement in some matters of doctrine, such as the mode of Christ's presence in Holy Communion, do not prohibit church fellowship.
Also the LCMS pastors can get married, but still dress like priests, women are not allowed to pastor, and the womans roles in the family are 1950's ish as well.