# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S508
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

508 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

639] Purge “Lutheran Witness” of Error

Wuereas, The Lutheran Witness of February 25, 1947, p.59,
footnote 10, has declared: “We incline to the notion, supported by
more than’ 30. commentaries which we have consulted, that Rom.
16:17f. refers to un- -Christian enemies of the Church who by de-
ceitful tactics are trying to seduce Christians”; and

Wurrras, The Lutheran Witness of December 14, 1948, p. 414,
quotes without disapproval: “To apply the passage (Rom. 16:17)
to fellow Christians with whom we do not agree in all points, or,
to put it the other way, who, we are certain, err from the truth
of God’s Word in some particulars, is a misapplication of the Word
of God, an affront to such children of God, and an insult of which
we ought not to make ourselves guilty”; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Witness in the above-quoted words
contradicts and denies the clear and unmistakable COMMAND
OF GOD in Rom. 16:17 and declares the official doctrinal position
and confession of the Missouri Synod (Brief Statement, Par. 28;
synodical Catechism, Qus., 186, 326) to be a misapplication of the
Word of God”; and

Wuenreas, A correction of the Lutheran Witness is not obtain-
able from the responsible editors under the present circum-

stances; and

WHEREAS, Synod in 1947 has reaffirmed the declaration that
it “is responsible for every’ doctrinal statement made in its official
organs” (Proceedings, 1947, p.559); now therefore be it

Resolved, That we petition Synod to purge its official organ
of this flagrant denial of God’s clear and’ unmistakable command,
for otherwise Synod itself will become guilty of denying the truth
of God’s Word and of condoning false doctrine in its midst and
will thereby forfeit its right to be regarded as an orthodox church
body, in which orthodox congregations can continue to hold mem-
bership.

REDEEMER LUTHERAN CHURCH
FREEporT, Iu.
. Joun N. Sannver, President
Rev. C. J. Scout, Pastor

Attested: Rosert V. Loewe, Secretary