# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S339
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

462 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

- those whe err in non-fundamental doctrines, but applies also to
fundamental doctrines. (Acts 15:1; cf. Lehre und Wehre, 14, Pp. 105
and 106.)
Finally, in order that the first objective of our Synod, namely
the “conservation and promotion of the unity of the true faith,”
may be attained,
We therefore request Synod to require of Dr. Arndt that he
agree to these corrections of his essay.

We herewith advise Synod that in a contrary case Synod must
be viewed as a body which has forfeited its orthodox character
according to its own official confession. (Brief Statement, Péy. 29,
Cf. Lehre und Wehre, 36, p.262: “We Missourians consider a
church body, as a body, orthodox only when the true doctrine
resounds from all its pulpits and lecture chairs and in all writi
which appear in public within such church body; when every
erroneous teaching is stopped in the manner prescribed by God
as soon as it makes its appearance. We Missourians must and want
to be judged according to the doctrine which is taught by our in-
dividual pastors, be it in San Francisco or in New York, St. Payl
or New Orleans, or in our publications, immaterial whether they
appear Officially or unofficially. If it were shown us that even but
one pastor were preaching false doctrine, or that even one period-
ical were in the service of false doctrine, and we would not put
a stop to this false doctrine, we would thereby have ceased to be
an orthodox synod and would have become a unionistic fellow-
ship. ”y

Signed by Theo. Dierks in behalf of himself and the following:

Rev. A. A. BRAUER Dr. P. E. KRETZzMANN

Rev. Pau. H. Burcporr — Rev. W. H. McLaucmm
Rev. A. T. KretzMaNnn’ Tueo. Drerks

Morrison, Ill., April 1, 1950

[610]
Regarding the President’s Theses on the Church
Wuereas, The President of Synod has submitted a number
of sets of theses pursuant to the Agreement made with the signers
of “A Statement” and a resolution of the Chicago Convention
that he “continue to submit to pastors and congregations material
for the Scriptural study of. the questions at issue” raised by
“A Statement” and memorials referring to “A Statement”; and
Wuereas, ‘The President of Synod asked that members of
Synod point out anything in the theses that is unsatisfactory; and
- Wuereas, The theses on the Church in the last paragraphs on

JNTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 463

e ten do not clearly state the distinction between the Una
Sancta and the Visible Church and lend themselves to misundes-

standing and abuse; and

WuerEas, Such erroneous statements have been pointed ¢ out

to the President in at. least two conferences where he was present,

in i errespondence with him, and in public print; and

WuercEAs, It is in the interest of the preservation of the truth
and in conformity with Scripture that all doctrine in the Church
be stated in a clear manner to avoid misunderstanding and to
ward off false teaching; therefore

We, the undersigned, respectfully petition Synod, assembled
in convention at Milwaukee, to order a correction of all unsatis-
factory and unclear doctrinal statements contained in the President’s
theses on the Church.
E. A. Laass Watter M. AvE-LALLEMANT -
A. V. Kuster Paut G. Koc
M. F. Krerzmann’ Pauw L. KretzMANNn
G. H. NAUMANN

Plymouth, Ind. March 23, 1950

611
ten Memorial Concerning Synodical Discipline

Wuereas, The faith of our fathers, as it is set forth in the
Book of Concord and the Brief Statement of the doctrinal position
of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod, is in full agreement
with Scripture (1 Pet. 4:11; 2 Cor. 4:13); and

Wuereas, It is the privilege and duty of every member of
Synod to confess and defend this faith (Jude 3; Phil.1:27) in
order to achieve and maintain true Scriptural unity in doctrine
(Acts 2:42; Rom. 15:5-6); and

Wuereas, “Avoid them” in Rom.16:17 clearly and directly
forbids church fellowship with all heterodox teachers and their
adherents (Formula of Concord, Thor. Decl. X, 22; synodical Con-
stitution, Art. III; Brief Statement, Par. 28; synodical Catechism,
Qu. 186, D and 326, D); and —

Whereas, The passages of God’s Word which prohibit church
fellowship with the heterodox compel us to “tell everyone. who
champions a different doctrine: ‘We can no longer walk together.
Hence we can no longer pray together’” (Proceedings of Missouri
Synod, 1881, p.31), since “persistent adherence to false teaching
or to a sinful life form a barrier against joint prayer” -(Proceedings
of Oklahoma District, 1937;. Rom. 16:17; 2 Thess. 3:6); and -

Wuereas, All church fellowship by ‘participation in joint re-