# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S516
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

516 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

to account and, if circumstances require it, to remove them from 2
office in accordance with Christian procedure” (Constitution,
Art. XI, A.2); and

Wuereas, The President of Synod has to this day taken no
effective ‘action against the doctrinal aberrations of Dr. Theodore
Graebner; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That this whole matter (both Dr. Theodore Graeb-
ner’s doctrinal aberrations as well as the failure of the President
of Synod to take effective action against such aberrations) be
brought to the attention of Synod in convention assembled; and
be it furthermore

Resolved, That we petition Synod to resolve this whole matter
in a God-pleasing manner, so that the first objective of our Synod
may not be frustrated, namely, “the conservation and promotion
of the unity of the true faith (Eph. 4:3-6; 1 Cor. 1:10) and a united
defense against schism and sectarianism (Rom. 16:17).” (Con-
stitution, Art. III.)

(Signed) (Rev.) J. BERTRAM, Fort Dodge, Iowa

(Dr.) P. E. KRETZMANN, Cuba, Mo.
(Rev.) Ernest T. Lams, Oak Park, Il.
(Rev.) H. D. Menstne, Tinley Park, Ill.

Zion Ev. LutHeran Cuurca, Cuicaco, Int.
Car. G. Kruse, Pastor

- Signatures attested by (Rev.) H. D. MENSING
Tinley Park, Ill, April 5, 1950 7

[646]
Condemn and Discontinue Association of Lutheran
Seminarians

Wuereas, The Association of Lutheran Seminarians by its
name, its machinery of organization, and its stated objectives
plainly is of a religious nature; and

Wuereas, Our Synod has officially declared that doctrinal dif-
ferences do exist between us and the other Lutheran church bodies
participating in the Association of Lutheran Seminarians; and
_ ‘Wuereas, These other church bodies have not accepted (some
have officially rejected) the invitation of our College of Presidents
to hold further conferences for the removal of doctrinal differences
on the basis of God’s Word, and thereby clearly show that they are
heterodox church bodies devoted to false doctrine and indifference
to the truth, and. to laxity in practice and unionism; and

Wuereas, The student representatives of these church bodies

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 517

according to. the constitution of the Association of Lutheran Sem-
inarians intend “to encourage the spiritual life” of our students in
order that they, too, may reach the broadmindedness of their church
bodies; and

Wuereas, Our students are already showing an inclination to
disregard the warnings of Christ and His Apostles by contending
that “they would be losing sight of their goal by avoiding those
who are tainted with false doctrine”; and

Wuereas, There is evidently a willingness to grant error equal
right with truth and rest content with “contributing their part to
the organization,” which amounts to a compromise; and

Wuereas, The Association of Lutheran Seminarians is thus
becoming a back door to union without unity; now therefore be it

Resolved, That we plead with Synod, in convention assembled,

1. To save our future ministry from the damage inflicted on
their faith and character by membership in the Association of
Lutheran Seminarians;

2. To that end to exclude the Association of Lutheran Sem-
inarians from our institutions.

IMMANUEL Ev. LutH. CONGREGATION
Town Rich, Matteson, Il.
E. Hreser, Pastor
Martin BruperR RAYMOND VOLLMER

March 26, 1950 Epwin Marquarpt

The same memorial was submitted by
(Signed) (Rev.) J. Bertram, Fort Dodge, Iowa

Signature attested by (Rev.) H. D. MENsING
Tinley Park, Ill., April 5, 1950
* * *

Wuereas, The Association of Lutheran Seminarians is a reli-
gious organization, as its name indicates and its constitution
states; and
WHEREAS, The meetings of the Association of Lutheran Sem-
inarians have demonstrated that religious issues cannot and will
not be avoided; and

Wuereas, It is a fellowship which ignores or minimizes the
existing doctrinal differences in the Lutheran bodies whose stu-
dents hold membership in it; and

Wuereas, All the local associations from seminaries other than
ours openly flaunt their unionism and invite our students to prac-
tice a like unionism; and |

Wuereas, The students at our St. Louis seminary who ‘oppose