The Danish Union is part of the Trans-European Division. The Danish Union Executive Committee appointed a subcommittee in 2021 to make recommendations for improvements to the church's position on the LGBTQ+ issue. The subcommittee was also tasked with writing an LGBTQ+ statement for the Danish Union on LGBTQ+. The Danish Union Executive Committee adopted the statement in December 2024. You can read the statement in its entirety here: Official statement.
Here is an English version of the statement:
[Update — The Danish Union sent us their English version LINK]
Our Commentary
This statement is problematic not only for what it says, but for what it doesn’t say. It seeks to affirm LGBTQ+ choices, without calling for repentance from moral sin and sexual deviancy.
In the opening paragraph they state that the church in Denmark [wants] to be a blessing, i.e. to pass on the good life to all people. It is true that God wants His people to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2-3). It is also true that God cannot bless what He has already cursed. The only way for people in moral sin to receive the blessing of freedom is to turn away from that sin through repentance.
The third paragraph is a real problem, We believe that healthy sexuality is experienced and matured in a safe and equal relationship with another human being in the context of mutual commitment and faithfulness. Using the term ‘another human being’ opens the door to affirm same sex relationships and call them ‘healthy’ (even though they do mention man and woman in the next paragraph).
In paragraph 5 (still first page) the statement says we should demonstrate love and respect to LGBTQ+ persons. Why? Love, yes (Mark 12:31; Leviticus 19:18). Respect and honor are earned, as Romans 13:7 tells us. We don’t respect sexual deviancy Romans 1:18-32), and we are instructed not to respect the proud (Psalms 40:4).
Paragraph 5 also cites “large population surveys” as a reason to support the victimhood status of the morally deviant. On the contrary, we shouldn’t buy into a particular viewpoint just because of the intensity of the argument. We should order our lives according to the Word of God—which is at variance with popular culture.
Notice how the Danish Union, like most Adventists, find something written by Ellen White to support their position/idea. Paragraph 6. James and Ellen would be appalled.
The last paragraph on page 1 is perhaps the most egregious one. Here they say We affirm that all people are created with God-given needs at different levels of intimacy. Translation: If you are gay, transgender, lesbian, or queer, it’s fine. God made you that way. This is a complete cave-in to the world that is passing away (1 John 2:17). It also gives new meaning to the term Trans-European Division.
Paragraph 5, page 2. Like heterosexuals, some LGBTQ+ people will experience calling to live as singles….Other LGBTQ+ people want to live in monogamous, faithful relationship with someone of the same sex, possibly in a marriage. We want all LGBTQ+ people, regardless of marital status, to experience the church community as good and safe. Here it is. The Danish Union wants practicing, unrepentant, out-and-proud homosexuals to frequent their churches. Make no mistake, this is a small stepping stone to granting full church membership to LGBTQ+ people. Remember, the + on the end pre-approves the next abominable sexual deviations, which is going to be pederasty and bestiality, and polyamory (Galatians 5:21). Here’s how moral progressivism works. Moral deviants work for a goal. And when they achieve that, they immediately work towards the next goal—a goal that was unthinkable when the first goal was announced.
They end their Statement with a torturous logical fallacy. Notice this, “We support the separation religion and law, church and state, and respect people's freedom to live as choose without compromising their civil rights.” They are using separation of church and state to excuse the church from standing up for biblical sexuality. In essence, they are using a notion of separation of church and state to create separation of church and God. Let me explain.
From a Christian perspective, we are in a battle (Ephesians 5:11; 2 Corinthians 10:4-5). The likelihood is that that battle is going to go on until Jesus comes, but it is a battle to which we are called and we need to understand that surrender is not an option. And the point from the Christian worldview is not that we win every cultural battle, that’s not what we’re promised at all. But the fact is, that we are to remain faithful. We have to contend for what we know to be true, because of the Christian worldview. It’s not only what we know to be true, it’s what we know to be good for humanity and for human flourishing. And so we have to stay in the battle. This statement by the Danish Union doesn’t do that. It waves the flag of surrender.
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“Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, [25] who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen” (Romans 1:24-25).
