# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S536 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) Dee A OTA FMWD ag JON RG eReprnpesersa aa Prone $ 4 fe : i £ 1 } 4 ‘ iF if 588 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS “opinion” nullifies, in part, § 28 of the Brief Statement and contra- dicts the exposition of the Small Catechism, Question 186, D. See also Overture No. 607, as approved by the 1947 convéntion. (Pro- ceedings, p. 514f.) 2. Does the venerable Synod approve or does it reject the teaching on Prayer Fellowship presented in Doctor Theodore Graebner’s pamphlet bearing that name and as practiced in the unionistic meetings which are connected with the co-operation of our men in the welfare agencies of various large cities, in confer- ence with National Lutheran Council representatives, in inter. synodical laymen’s organizations, etc.? See Proceedings of the 1947 convention, pp. 514—517, and earlier articles on the subject by Dr. Theo. Graebner, Dr. Wm. Arndt, and other teachers of the Church. 3. Does the venerable Synod approve or does it reject the unionism that is being practiced by virtue of the Participation of St: Louis faculty members in celebrations, institutes, and semi- nars which are far from bearing a mere academic character, like. wise the common devotions and the worship intimacy of the Association of Lutheran Seminarians? Such fellowshiping has taken place at Dubuque, at St. Louis, at Columbus, Ohio, at May- wood, IL, and elsewhere, and the meetings had public recognition, 4. Does the venerable Synod approve or does it reject the teaching as found in the classrooms of the St. Louis Seminary, in conference discussions, and in the Lutheran Witness: a. That “there is a visible manifestation of the invisible Church,” that “we do not declare invisibility to be an attri- bute of the Church”? See the Brief Statement, § 25; expo- sition of the Small Catechism, Question 176, A. b. That, as openly stated by at least one member of the St. Louis faculty, the declaration of our Lutheran Confes- sions of the Pope’s being the Antichrist according to clear statements of Scripture is not acceptable? c. That the St. Louis faculty has openly stated, in a faculty “opinion” dated May 24, 1949, that the obligations of a valid engagement do not have the binding force of holy marriage? See the exposition of the Small Catechism, Question 61, and many statements of former teachers of the Church, par- ticularly of Luther. d. That, as recently repeatedly stated by Dr. William Arndt, there are “doctrines” of Holy Writ which are not divisive of church fellowship? See the venerable doctor’s essay at the convention of the Western District, 1948, and in the two California Districts, 1949, RA A TL. SR = NN INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 589 5. Does the venerable Synod approve or does it reject the tg9-operation in externals” with other church bodies even when it involves common endeavors in the field of Christian education, ‘prayer fellowship, etc.? ~ We feel that we have the right to request and to expect a straight and unequivocal answer to every one of these auestions t once, since these are not matters which require long an ae taking research, but are taught in the textbooks which have Peon recognized among us for many years. Respectfully submitted, with our signatures duly recorded. St. Perer’s Ev. Luts. Cuurcy, Goopuur, MInn. ArtTHuR Dreviow, Pastor Goop SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH OF BERWYN, ILL. By Irvine H. Grou, Chairman THe Boarp or Evpers or Curist Ev. Luts. Caurcu _ AT NortTHLAKE, ILL. Tuomas Bruce, Ropert Parker, Orro ScHuLTz Pastor ARNOLD R. REINKING, Parma, Ohio Pastor F. E. Bartiinc, Northlake, II. Pastor ADALBERT OgscH, Wausa, Nebr. Pastor F. L. Treskow, Dolton, IU. Pastor J. R. SHepparp, Tripp, S. Dak. Pastor O. F. P. Wernsacn, Baltimore, Md. Pasror Cart J. Goetre, Pittston, Pa. Pastor J. H. Beck, Fair Haven, Minn. Miss Atma E. Lussky, Detroit, Mich. Pastor Emer. H. Prexet, Chicago, Il. TracHer E. L. Marquarnt, Chicago, Ill. Pastor ArtHur F. H. Wrecert, Springfield, Ill. Pastor Gzo. ScHWEIKERT, Okabena, Minn. Pastor WauLAcE H. McLavucHyi, Pittsburgh, Pa. Pastor A. C. Daums, Chicago, II. Pastor Ernest T. Lams, D. D., Oak Park, Il. Pastor K. F,. Lonrmann, Berwyn, IIL. Pastor Emer. F. E. Pascue, Hancock, Minn. Pastor Emer. H. GucKENBERGER, Baltimore, Md. P. E. Krerzmann, Pu. D., Cuba, Mo.