# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1159
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

616 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS

Presidents of their solemn duty diligently to observe that the
teaching and practice of all professors, pastors, and officers of Synod
be in harmony with Synod’s official doctrinal position, .and to exer-
cise evangelical discipline, whenever necessary, without Trespect
of persons and without procrastination.

(Signed) (Rev.) W. F. Rour, St. James, Minn.

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

Issues Raised by “A Statement” — Synod Purge Itself
of Halting Between Two Opinions
(Memorial 620)

Wnuergas, Synod confesses, “The orthodox character of a church
is established not by its mere name nor by its outward acceptance
of, and subscription to, an orthodox creed, but by the doctrine
which is actually taught in its pulpits, in its theological sem-
inaries, and in its publications. On the other hand, a church does
not forfeit its orthodox character through the casual intrusion of
errors, provided these are combated and eventually removed by
means of doctrinal discipline, Acts 20:30; 1 Tim. 1:3” (Brief State-
ment of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod, Par. 29); and

Wuereas, Synod by its failure in 1947 to confess the truth of
God on the issues raised by “A Statement” has during these three
years permitted truth and error to stand side by side in its
midst; and ;

Wuereas, By permitting truth and error to stand side by side
in its midst, Synod has not only given grievous offense to Chris-
tians both within and outside of Synod, but has also caused Synod
‘to be on the verge of forfeiting its orthodox character, according
to its own confession in the Brief Statement, quoted above; now
therefore be it

Resolved, That we earnestly implore Synod to purge itself of
all halting between two opinions and boldly to confess the truth
of God’s Word in this matter and to combat and remove all error
from its midst by means of doctrinal discipline.

(Signed) (Rev.) W. F. Roxr, St. James, Minn.

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

INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 617

Issues Raised by “A Statement” — Every
Departure Also in Non-Fundamentals, Divisive
‘ (Memorial 621)
“-Wyereas, The first object of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod is “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)” (Constitution, Art. III); and
‘' Woereas, This objective is being frustrated by not settling
the issues raised by “A Statement”; and

" Wuereas, The contrary teaching has always been rejected
within The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in all its official
pronouncements and confessional statements as being contrary to
Scripture; and

Wuereas, Contrary teachings are being publicly advocated in
spite of Synod’s reaffirming its loyalty to the Brief Statement; now
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod re-
affirm its adherence to the following truths of Scripture:

1, That Rom. 16:17 clearly and directly forbids joint religious
work or worship with all heterodox teachers and their adherents,
even though there be no denial of the truth or approval of error
in express words in such religious work or worship;

2. That every departure from the clear Word of God, also in
the so-called non-fundamental doctrines as well as in details, or
points, of doctrine, if persistently advocated, is divisive of church
fellowship;

' 3. That persistent adherence to false teaching forms a barrier
against joint prayer; and be it furthermore

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod here-
by repudiates all statements or expressions not in conformity with
the above declarations which have appeared in public print with-
in the Missouri Synod.

(Signed)
(Rev.) A. T. Krevzmann, Crete, Il.
(Dr.) P. E. Krerzmann, Cuba, Mo.
(Rev.) Ernest T. Lams, Oak Park, Il
(Rev.) H. D. Mensinc, Tinley Park, Il.
(Rev.) H. Prexex, Chicago, Til.

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

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