In reply to dave mundt.

Mr. Mundt:

A few brief remarks:

1) The presence of sin in the world makes it imperfect. Yet even still, sin does not overthrow God's created estate of marriage and allow it to be redefined according to judicial whim. God instituted that the sun rise in the morning. Even though there is sin in the world, yet the sun still rises. So it is with His institution of the estate of marriage. Though there is sin, yet His institution stands as it always has. On His Word, not on man's rebelliousness against it.

2) You ask, "does the church REALLY still believe that the only reason for two people to marry is to produce more little Lutherans?" A: No. There are three traditionally understood reasons for marriage. Companionship, procreation of children, mutual joy and blessing. There is a 4th reason that also needs to be added to the traditional list - marriage as a curb against sin. That's how 1 Cor. 7:2 speaks of marriage. Because sexual immorality is a huge temptation for men, God instituted marriage to curb that temptation. However, the idea of same sex marriage actually causes two people to sin (because they take God's name in vain to bless what His Word does not bless, they do not hold God's Word that speaks against homosexuality as sacred, and they sin against each other by sexual immorality).

3) In the example that you gave of an LGBT person in the hospital, one does not have to be married to someone to give them a durable power of attorney for health reasons. You can sign anyone you like to have those decisions. Your example does not carry the argument, but is a side issue completely.

In Christ,
Rev. Robert Mayes
Beemer, NE