# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S513
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 513

division makers. Rom. 16:17. That implies of course that we do not
have prayer fellowship with them.”); and

Wuereas, The author of Prayer Fellowship, in direct contra-

diction to the doctrinal position of Synod, contends “that neither.

the texts” (the texts commonly quoted in our circles as being
pertinent to the question of prayer fellowship, such as Rom. 16:17,
‘etc.) “nor the contexts in which they stand have anything to do
with prayer fellowship. In fact, not a single one of them refers
to prayer at all” (page 7); and

Wuereas, The pamphlet Prayer Fellowship contains many false
and dangerous assertions, for example, the amazing statement that
the Catholic Church agrees with the Lutheran Church “in the
fundamentals” but differs “in other doctrines” (The Smalcald
Articles, Triglotta, p. 460, state that there was no contention or
dispute between the Lutherans and the Catholics concerning the
docrines of the Trinity and of the Incarnation. But regarding the
doctrine of justification by faith alone, the Smalcald Articles
declare: “Upon this article all things depend which we teach and
practice in opposition to the Pope, the devil, and the whole world.”
In contradiction to this assertion of the Smalcald Articles, the
author of Prayer Fellowship asserts: “The New Testament was
written before the present relationship of Christian bodies agreeing
in the fundamentals (including the Catholic Church, see Triglotta,
p. 460), but differing in other doctrines, yet existing side by side”
(page 10). According to these words, as they read, the doctrine
of justification by faith alone, which the Formula of Concord calls
“the chief article in the entire Christian doctrine,” is not included

in the “fundamentals” of the Christian faith.) ; now, therefore, be it ©

Resolved, That we petition Synod to repudiate the pamphlet
entitled Prayer Fellowship, by Theodore Graebner, as being out
_ of harmony with the clear Word of God, as being contrary to the
official position of Synod, and as being detrimental to the Christian
faith; and be it furthermore

Resolved, That we petition Synod to order Concordia Publish-
ing House to withdraw this pamphlet from circulation; and be it
furthermore

Resolved, That Dr. Theodore Graebner be dealt with in an
evangelical and unprocrastinating manner, so that he May be
converted “from the error of his way,” James 5:20.

(Signed) Zron Ev. LutHeran Cuurcn, Curcaco, Inv.
, , Cart G. Kruse, Pastor

Signature attested by (Rev.) H. D. Mensinc
Tinley Park, T., April 5, 1950

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