# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1950_S1174
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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650 INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS INTERSYNODICAL AND DOCTRINAL MATTERS 651

not a single one of them refers to prayer at all” (Prayer Fellor.
ship, p.7); and

Wuereas, Dr. Theodore Graebner with other signers of «
Statement” in 1945 declared: “We deplore the fact that Rom.
16:17-18 has been applied to all Christians who differ with us in
certain points of doctrine” (“A Statement,” Par.5); and -

Wuereas, Dr. Theodore Graebner in 1947 wrote: “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 deceitful tactics are trying to seduce Chris.
tians, undermining and frustrating the Christian message” (Ly.
theran Witness, 1947, p.59); and

Wuereas, Dr. Theodore Graebner in 1947 before the whole
synodical convention in Chicago defiantly: declared that he was
a “signer” of “A Statement” and that he stood “by every word
of it,” and thereby publicly declared his continued adherence to
doctrinal aberrations, which the President of Synod has publicly
admitted as being in “A Statement,” as the words read; and

Wuereas, Dr. Theodore Graebner in 1948 quoted without dis-
approval the statement: “To apply the passage [Rom..16:17] to
fellow Christians with whom we do not agree on 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; an insult of which

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

Wuereas, The President of Synod has to this day taken no

H 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. Krerzmann, Cuba, Mo.
(Rev.) Ernest T. Lams, Oak Park, Ill.
(Rev.) H. D. Mensine, Tinley Park, II.

Zion Ev. Lurneran Cuurcx, Cuicaco, It.
Car. G. Kruss, Pastor

we ought not to make ourselves guilty” (Lutheran Witness, 1948, Signatures attested by (Rev.) H. D. Mensrine
p. 414); and Tinley Park, II., April 5, 1950
Wuereas, Dr. Theodore Graebner thus completely contradicts ,
and denies his former orthodox position and has, without adverse Condemn and Discontinue Association of Lutheran

comment, published a bold attack on Synod’s use of Rom. 16:17 P .

in its official confessions (Constitution, Art. Il; Brief Statement, Seminarians

Par. 28; Synodical Catechism, Quest. 186, 326), calling it a “a mis- (Memorial 646)

application of the Word of God”; and Wuereas, The Association of Lutheran Seminarians by its
Wuereas, These matters, recited above, have again-and again name, its machinery of organization, and its stated objectives

been brought to the attention of the President of Synod and are plainly is of a religious nature; and

therefore well known unto him; and Wuereas, Our Synod has officially declared that doctrinal dif-
Wuereas, “The President has the supervision regarding the ferences do exist between us and the other Lutheran church bodies

doctrine and the administration of a) all officers of Synod; b) all participating in the Association of Lutheran Seminarians; and

such as are employed by Synod” (Constitution, Art. XI, B. 2); and Wuereas, These other church bodies have not ‘accepted (some
Wuereas, “The President has, and always shall have, the power have officially rejected) the invitation of our College of Presidents

to advise, admonish, and reprove. He shall conscientiously use all to hold further conferences for the removal of doctrinal differences

means at his command to promote and maintain unity of doctrine on the basis of God’s Word, and thereby clearly show that they are

and practice in all the Districts of Synod” (Constitution, Art. XI, heterodox church bodies devoted to false doctrine and indifference

B.3); and ‘ to the truth, and to laxity in practice and unionism; and

Wuereas, “Synod at all times has the right to call its officers Wuereas, The student representatives of these church bodies

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