The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America first used Galatians 3:28 to support the ordination of women and, most recently, practicing homosexuals. The verse reads:
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
It is vital to understand that this passage flows out of a discussion contrasting faith with works. As sinners, we are incapable of keeping God’s Law. But, because of what Jesus Christ has done, the believer is declared righteous. Martin Luther wrote, “Christ Himself is our garment . . . the garment of our righteousness and salvation.” Putting on this garment in no way ignores or diminishes God’s created order of male and then female or the uniquely different calling (vocation) that goes with them.
Our maleness or femaleness matters not when it comes to salvation, but it matters a whole lot when it comes to choices, roles, and the way we glorify God and His created order.
What can we do? I excitedly recommend ordering your own copy of the ESV Lutheran Study Bible from CPH. This Bible (with Greek/Hebrew and theological commentary) prepares us to better discuss social issues of the present day with faithfulness to God’s Word.
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