# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1956_S320
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

320 PARISH EDUCATION |

Hansen of Denver and 18 research assistants, During the triennium stu
much progress was made. The summaries of the research assistants eas
have been prepared and the result of their studies made avail~ diff
able to the director, who in turn wrote a first draft of some 600 mel
pages, covering six areas of investigation: (1) Mate Selection; stag
(2) Engagement and Marriage; (3) Family Authority; (4) Divorce ind:

and Remarriage; (5) Sex Attitudes; (6) Planned Parenthood. Each |
one of these sections of the first draft was reviewed by three Pas- i gen
toral conferences (18 conferences involved) as the first step in the

testing program. The critique has been summarized and submitted and
to six theological consultants, all professors at our seminaries
At this stage a number of additional theological studies are
necessary to meet crucial problems that have concerned scholars
and theologians for centuries. A theological editor (or editors) is Bos
to be chosen. A truly Biblical, evangelical, Lutheran theology of brec
marriage and the family, based on sound scholarship, is the ob- Wit
jective. Only if the study meets a high theological standard will] Can
it serve its intended purpose. secr
The committee requires more time to complete this very diffi-
cult assignment. There have been a number of unavoidable delays. of t
The new material produced by scholars in America and Europe gavi
in the last decade is considerable. There are Seven stages in the
development of the project, each of which takes time Similar ]
studies in other church bodies have taken a decade or more
3. Mixed (Lutheran-Roman Catholic) Marriages now
Pursuant to Synod’s request (1953) to give guidance with re- to t

gard to the problem of Lutheran-Roman Catholic marriages, the

tian
ward an Evangelical and Firm Policy.” These were sent for critical

examination to selected Pastors in different parts of our Synod hat
The criticisms were carefully weighed. The general consensus stud
was that such “regulations,” or guidelines would easily lead to actir
unevangelical, legalistic practices. The pastors said in effect that
“salutary effects are not achieved by returning evil for evil.” This, .
we fear, will be the result where a “disclaimer” to the Catholic thei
antenuptial agreement is required or where there is a quick resort mat
to excommunication,
The committee is now in the process of setting up more gen- pare
oo. : +4 ye : Pare
eral principles and practical guidelines that are designed to lead Assc
to an evangelical policy. serv
The committee at this time suggests that every congregation
(1) strengthen its Program of warning and prevention by means }
of an intensified program of education; (2) that churches make part