On Saturday, March 1, 2014, The Rev. Roger Sonnenberg spoke to dozens of East Texas pastors and laypeople gathered at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Palestine, Texas, on the topic of “The Christian and Homosexuality in 2014.” With 2013 decision of the Boy Scouts of America concerning membership of open homosexuals, U.S. Supreme Court rulings on so-called “gay marriage”, and the ripple effects from those decisions and rulings expected to continue for months and years to come, the topic for the annual Circuit #14 Retreat could hardly have been timelier.
The Bible clearly teaches that homosexuality is wrong, although many attempt to undermine the Bible’s teaching on that point in various ways. Furthermore, Christianity’s unchanging view is seen as intolerant in our modern time. What is a Christian to do? Those questions and more were addressed at the retreat by Rev. Sonnenberg. He broke his day-long presentation down into four sessions with the topics indicated as follows:
- Divine Design: the way God created us leads us to look to Him and realize His will for our lives as heterosexual beings. He wants all to have something better than homosexuality’s “counterfeit”. There is hope in His Gospel! (You can view a PDF of the presentation’s slides here.)
- Homosexuality and Its Causes: Is homosexuality biological or environmental? What does the latest research show, and what hope is there? Even natural law argues against homosexuality, and God’s Gospel gives hope. (You can view a PDF of the presentation’s slides here.)
- Biblical Passages Regarding Homosexuality: Proponents of homosexuality offer a number of arguments against the Old Testament and New Testament Bible passages that condemn it, but none of their arguments really stand up. (You can view a PDF of the presentation’s slides here.)
- Helping Those Struggling with Same-sex Attraction: There is hope and some direction for those afflicted and their families and friends. The bottom line for all Christians is to speak the truth in love. (You can view a PDF of the presentation’s slides here.)
Contact Pilgrim’s office for your copy of a DVD with video recordings of all four sessions (see the contact information at right).
The Rev. Roger Sonenberg
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The senior pastor at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Arcadia, California, since 2000, Rev. Sonnenberg also is a part time professor in the graduate marriage and family program at Concordia University at Seward, Nebraska. He lectures throughout the United States and has written studies, articles, and books on sexuality, marriage, and family relations. Rev. Sonnenberg’s Master of Divinity degree is from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and he has a degree in psychotherapy from the American Institute of Family Relations in Los Angeles, California.
The Circuit #14 retreats are always informative and well worth the time and trip to Palestine. Registration for the 9-3 event was only $20 per person and included abundant refreshments and a delightful and hearty lunch prepared and served by the Bethlehem LWML. Circuit pastors led opening and closing devotions.
Circuit #14 of the Texas District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) is comprised of twelve East Texas LCMS congregations, as far north as Longview, as far East as Nacogdoches, as far south as Lufkin, and as far west as Corsicana.
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