# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1965_S99
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the question “What is a doctrine?” and formulate a
further definition that takes into account the results
of all its Biblical and theological studies, indicating if
possible the distinctions between —

a) “the doctrine” and “a doctrine” or “doctrines”;
as well as

b) related terms such as “dogma,” “article of faith,”
“teaching,” as these terms are used in Scripture as well
as the Lutheran Confessions; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations submit the results of this study to
the members of the Synod for careful study and to a
future convention of the Synod for adoption.
Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Confess that Christ Is the Only Way
to Heaven

RESOLUTION 2-20

Overture 2-40 (CW, pp. 83—85)
Wuereas, Article II of the Constitution of The Lu-
theran Church — Missouri Synod states:

Synod, and every member of Synod, accepts without
reservation:

1. The Scriptures of the Old and the New Testament
as the written Word of God and the only rule and norm
of faith and of practice;

2. All the Symbolical Books of the Evangelical Lu-
theran Church as a true and unadulterated statement
and exposition of the Word of God...

and

Wuereas, Both Scripture and the Symbolical Books
of the Evangelical Lutheran Church teach that Christ
is the only Way to heaven and that all who die without
faith in Christ are eternally damned; therefore be it

Resolved, That we consider a revision of Article VIII
of the Bylaws of the Synod unnecessary; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That we as a Synod forthrightly and firmly
state that we continue to confess —

1. That Scripture teaches that Jesus Christ is THE
Savior of the world, John 4:42; 1 Tim. 2:5,6; and

2. That there is no other way of salvation than
through faith in Christ, John 3:36; 8:24; 14:6; Acts 4:12.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Adopt Report on Status of Certified
Women Teachers, with Addition

RESOLUTION 2-21 (Revised)
(After Recommittal; see TB, p. 257)
Report 2-02 (CW, pp. 47, 48)
Resolved, That an addition be made at the end of
line 3, page 48, so that the entire sentence will read:

The scope of activity of a certified graduate woman
teacher would seem limited only by the abilities which
she has and the assignment which the congregation
gives her in keeping with Scriptural principles and our
synodical stand in relation to the position of woman in
the church.

DOCTRINAL MATTERS 99

and be it further

Resolved, That the report of the Committee for Re-
search on Church and Ministry, on the status of certified
women teachers, with the above addition be adopted;
and be it finally

Resolved, That we urge the congregations of the
Synod to apply the customary procedures, ethics, and
courtesies when calling certified graduate women
teachers.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Refer Use of the Term “Christian”
in Concordia Publishing House Publications

RESOLUTION 2-22

Overture 2-38 (CW, pp. 82, 83)

Wuereas, Concordia Publishing House has a long-
standing procedure by which it evaluates criticisms
brought to its attention regarding its publications; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That this matter be referred to the Board
of Directors of Concordia Publishing House for action.

Action: This resolution was adopted.

To Have the Synod Openly Acknowledge
that Antiscriptural Teaching Has Made
Inroads Within the Synod

RESOLUTION 2-23

Overture 2-20 (CW, pp. 68—70)

WuHEreEas, The church on earth throughout the ages
has always had imperfections arising among imperfect
men; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
penitently acknowledges that it is experiencing its own
problems in the area of doctrine and practice; and

Wuereas, The church must be selective in its use of
the results of theological research, to accept what is true
and to reject what is false; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank God for the capable theo-
logians of our Synod and encourage such theologians
on synodical faculties and elsewhere by the assurance
of our prayers and confidence in their continued study
and statement of conservative Lutheran theology; and
be it further

Resolved, That we ask all members of the Synod to
evaluate current theological literature in the light of the
Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and in view of
synodically adopted doctrinal statements (Proceedings,
1962, pp. 105, 106), and to exercise care in presenting
the results of theological research; and be it further

Resolved, That we commend the officials of the Synod
for the faithful execution of their office in the super-
vision of doctrine; and be it finally

Resolved, That we urge the members of the Synod
to implore the blessings of the Holy Spirit on the offi-
cials of the Synod as they continue to exercise forth-