# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1969_S398
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

398 SOCIAL ACTION AND WELFARE

Resolved, That we recognize that in the creation of
social-action structures at all levels we be open to in-
novative and at times untraditional forms of response
to human needs.

Board oF SociaL MInNIstry
Lesuie F, Weser, Executive Secretary

(9-22)
To Repudiate All Pronouncements
and Organizations Promoting Marxism

Wuereas, The World Council of Churches and the
National Council of Churches have frequently issued
pronouncements extremely critical of United States
foreign and domestic policy; and

Wuereas, These pronouncements and the general
orientation of the WCC and NCC is increasingly sym-
pathetic toward world Marxism and increasingly critical
of capitalism; and

Wuereas, The silence of our Synod on these matters
and our “cooperation” with these bodies gives the im-
pression that we are in agreement with the World and
National Councils of Churches; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod disassociate itself, in no uncertain terms, from
those pronouncements of the World Council of Churches
and the National Council of Churches which can easily
be interpreted as favoring Marxism; and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod make known its intention to sever all “coopera-
tion” with all organizations, such as those named, which
in the name of a false ecumenism promote a Marxian
political philosophy. Rev. C. L. RHoApES

Chicago, Il.

(9-23)
To Condemn Marxism
in All Its Manifestations

Wuereas, Marxism, whether taught and practiced
by organized governments or by dissenters within a
capitalistic society, is not only a political philosophy
but an anti-Christian philosophy, bent on the destruc-
tion of the Christian church; and

Wuereas, Churches have an obligation to warn their
people of that which is injurious, destructive, and dan-
gerous to their Christian faith and the life of the
church; and

WHEREAS, We owe it to Christians imprisoned for
their faith in communist countries to call to the atten-
tion of the world our condemnation of their captors;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod issue a statement condemning Marxism in all
its manifestations; and be it further

Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House be com-
missioned to prepare materials critical of Marxism; and

be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod suggest a Sunday on which
its churches may emphasize the dangers of Marxism and
their sympathy and support of those Christians who
have been persecuted by Marxist governments.

Rev. C. L. RHOADES
Chicago, Tl.

(9-24)
To Protest Against Communism

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod,
in convention in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1962, adopted a
very expressive memorial recognizing and identifying
the menace and dangers of atheistic communism and
calling for an alertness throughout Christendom to pro-
mote all effective Christian efforts to counteract its
destructive ideologies (Proceedings, p. 164); and

WuereEas, That same convention adopted the memo-
rial to instruct the Commission on Church Literature
to recommend the publishing of materials exposing
atheistic communism as a basic evil and enemy to the
Christian faith (Proceedings, p. 143); and

WuereEas, Our synodical fathers already recognized
these insidious dangers threatening our church and
national existence, notably the constant warnings of the
sainted Dr. Walter A. Maier in his Lutheran Hour pre-
sentations; and

Wuereas, Many individuals and groups within the
church today still testify against the perfidious devices,
persecution, and enslavement of men’s minds and bodies
as these are manifested in the still growing influence
and application of atheistic communism throughout the
world; and

Wuereas, Because of the lack of true knowledge of
the enemy, the apathy towards this threat of atheistic
communism among our people is still as great and re-
grettable as when Dr. Maier warned: “Atheism and
Communism are never more dangerous for us than
when the masses of our country regard them as harm-
less and inconsequential” (“What Atheism and Com-
munism Want in the United States,’ WLM, Dec. 1941,
p. 200); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod, assembled in Denver in 1969, reaffirm its Scrip-
tural position over against the ungodly tenets of athe-
istic communism; and be it further

Resolved, That it publicly registers its conscientious
protest over against all the slavery and injustice perpe-
trated on mankind through communistic doctrines and
practises; and be it further

Resolved, That it commends with thanks those who
have rendered a distinct service to God’s church and
their country by their fearless witness to the truth of
God against this system of militant unbelief; and be
it further

Resolved, That it encourages all our people, clergy
and laity, to inform themselves as to the true nature and