# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S332
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

448 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 449

2. That no fellowship can be maintained with the American
Lutheran Church as long as specific errors, taught heretofore, are
not repudiated, and as long as the American Lutheran Church re-
tains membership in the National Lutheran Council and tolerates
religious fellowship contrary to the demand of God’s Word, as
stated in Rom.16:17 and in the Constitution of The Lutheran

pudiated and rejected, and thus offensive divisions that have
occurred are thoroughly settled (and decided) .”

Triglotta: Page 1095, 94—-95: “So much concerning the contro-
yerted articles which have been discussed for many years already
among the theologians of the Augsburg Confession, in which some
‘ have erred and severe controversiae (controversies), that is, reli-
Church — Missouri Synod in Art. VI, Sec. 2, and as long as Serip- gious disputes, have arisen. From this our explanation, friends
tural lodge practice and doctrinal discipline are not put into effect, and enemies, and therefore every one, may clearly infer that we

E. A. LAAss G. H. Naumann have no intention of yielding aught of the eternal, immutable truth

Pau. G. Kocu A. V. Kuster of God for the sake of temporal peace, tranquillity, and unity

Watter M. Ave-LatteMant M. F. Krerzmany (which, moreover, is not in our power to do). Nor would such

Paut L. KRETZMANN peace and unity, since it is devised against the truth and for its

suppression, have any permanency. Still less are we inclined to

Plymouth, Ind., March 23, 1950 } adorn and conceal a corruption of the pure doctrine and manifest,
condemned errors. But we entertain heartfelt pleasure and love
[605] for, and are on our part sincerely inclined and anxious to advance,

that unity according to our utmost power, by which His glory

ecline the “Common Confession” of Faith as Basi :
D asis remains to God uninjured, nothing of the divine truth of the Holy

for Fellowship Gospel is surrendered, no room is given to the least error, poor
The document beginning with the words “This common con- sinners are brought to true, genuine repentance, raised up by
fession of faith” and submitted to the synods by the two commit- faith, confirmed in new obedience, and thus justified and eternally
tees, The Committee on Doctrinal Unity of The Lutheran Church — saved alone through the sole merit of Christ.”
Missouri Synod and The Committee on Fellowship of the American Triglotta: Page 1103, 40: “Since now, in the sight of God and
Lutheran Church, shall be called in this memorial This Common of all Christendom (the entire Church of Christ), we wish to
Confession of Faith according to its first five words as quoted above. testify to those now living and those who shall come after us
The writing of the Formula of Concord had the aim and the that this declaration herewith presented. concerning all the con-
purpose to cover and allay matters in controversy throughout some troverted articles aforementioned and explained, and no other, is
thirty years. Procedure for the document This Common Confession our faith, doctrine, and confession, in which we are also willing,
of Faith should have been as at that time, in this way, that every by God’s grace, to appear with intrepid hearts before the judg-
teaching called into question between the two church bodies or - ment-seat of Jesus Christ, and give an account of it; and that we
the one-time individual synods be stated in simple words, if true, will neither privately nor publicly speak or write anything con-
and if in error be noted as false. This is not doctrinalism, or love- trary to it, but, by the help of God’s grace, intend to abide thereby:

therefore, after mature deliberation, we have, in God’s fear and
with the invocation of His name, attached our signatures with our
own hands.”

The document This Common Confession of Faith on account
and for reason of its brevity is inadequate to cover and allay all
the items of the controversies engaging the two church bodies,
or the one-time individual synods, during the past 70 years. Its
brevity postulates the basis: in love to assume and tacitly take
for granted that there is now full agreement in those matters which
at one time were of such serious differences as to bring the charge
re false teaching and as to demand and sustain separation for many

ears. eens ws

Furthermore, and also as an example, the paragraphs on the

lessness, or the spirit of separatism, but the duty and obligation of
parties concerned for the truth and with love for all mankind.

Thus it -was done openly, frankly, and candidly in the writing
of the. Formula. of Concord according to the following excerpts
taken from the Formula of Concord:

Triglotta: Page 837,22: “This is the brief and simple explana-
tion of the controverted articles, which for a time have been
debated and taught controversially among theologians of the Augs-
burg Confession. Hence every simple Christian, according to the
guidance of God’s: Word, and his simple Catechism, can perceive
what is right or wrong, since not only the pure doctrine has been
stated, but also the erroneous contrary doctrine has been re-