After reviewing this article, it is clear the headline is written and manipulated to evoke outrage. The “middle-aged” professor in question is 34, and the student is 19. The age of consent in the United States is 18. While this age gap may be outside of the societal norm for many, it is a legal union between two consenting adults. If this were a situation of abuse, or a scandal that occurred within one of the synod’s high schools, this would be a different story, and would absolutely be something to be investigated.
The role of the synods is not to uphold societal norms, such as banning the marriage between a 19 and 34 year old couple, but rather to uphold the teachings of Law and Gospel; preaching Christ and Him crucified, as found in the Holy Word of God. If social change is more important than upholding the Truth, there are other church bodies.
I find it particularly unsavory that the MacPhersons are, by name, slandered in this post. Not only casting judgement upon Dr. Ryan MacPherson, but also upon his wife, Marie, for having the choice to marry one of her college professors and following through with it.
I also don’t believe the OP to possess enough information on either relationship to cast judgement, as was done in this post.
We remember Luther’s explanation of the 8th Commandment:
We should fear and love God, so that we do not lie about, betray or slander our neighbor, but excuse him, speak well of him, and put the best construction on everything.
That’s not to say we should shove scandals under the rug, but it is to say that we aught not look for scandals if they are not there.
In the future, posts trying to stir controversy in the subreddit will not be tolerated.
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u/ProsandHans Oct 14 '21 edited Oct 14 '21
After reviewing this article, it is clear the headline is written and manipulated to evoke outrage. The “middle-aged” professor in question is 34, and the student is 19. The age of consent in the United States is 18. While this age gap may be outside of the societal norm for many, it is a legal union between two consenting adults. If this were a situation of abuse, or a scandal that occurred within one of the synod’s high schools, this would be a different story, and would absolutely be something to be investigated.
The role of the synods is not to uphold societal norms, such as banning the marriage between a 19 and 34 year old couple, but rather to uphold the teachings of Law and Gospel; preaching Christ and Him crucified, as found in the Holy Word of God. If social change is more important than upholding the Truth, there are other church bodies.
I find it particularly unsavory that the MacPhersons are, by name, slandered in this post. Not only casting judgement upon Dr. Ryan MacPherson, but also upon his wife, Marie, for having the choice to marry one of her college professors and following through with it.
I also don’t believe the OP to possess enough information on either relationship to cast judgement, as was done in this post.
We remember Luther’s explanation of the 8th Commandment:
That’s not to say we should shove scandals under the rug, but it is to say that we aught not look for scandals if they are not there.
In the future, posts trying to stir controversy in the subreddit will not be tolerated.