# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S117
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 117

:

Mrs. Willie Segar, Richmond, came close to being the first lady delegate
to participate in a floor debate

“the polity developed conforms to the general Scriptural
principles that women neither hold the pastoral office
nor exercise authority over men” (Denver Proceedings,
1969, Res. 2-17, p. 88); and

Wuereas, The Synod also urged “cautious and de-
liberate action in the spirit of Christian love” “in the
implementation of any changes in this area of women’s
ministry in the church” (Denver Proceedings, 1969, Res.
2-17, p. 89); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, in consultation with the Commission
on Constitutional Matters, be asked to review concerns
expressed in overtures to the Synod and report their
findings to the Synod prior to the 1973 convention at
New Orleans; and be it also

Resolved, That congregations once again be re-
minded of the Synod’s concern for “cautious and de-
liberate action in the spirit of Christian love” “in the
implementation of any changes in this area of women’s
ministry in the church” (Denver Proceedings, 1969,
Resolution 2-17, p. 89).

Action: Adopted (18).

To Retain “He Descended into Hell”
RESOLUTION 2-18
Report 2-01, 1, F (CW, p. 32)

Wuereas, The Worship Supplement distributed in
the Synod in 1969 contains contemporary translations
of various parts of the liturgy including the text of the
Apostles’ Creed; and

Wuereas, The translation of one phrase in particular
disturbed some people: “He descended into hell” was
rendered with “He went to the dead”; and

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations, at the request of the President of the Synod,
undertook a study of whether “He went to the dead”

is an acceptable Lutheran way of confessing Christ’s
descent to hell; and

Wuereas, The Synod should be concerned about
expressing the creedal confession in most acceptable and
understandable forms; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod accept for the present time
the commission’s recommendation to retain the word-
ing “He descended into hell” as the most acceptable
way of expressing for the members of the Synod what
the Lutheran Confessions intend to affirm by this phrase
in the Apostles’ Creed.

Action: Adopted (18).

To Use Terms “Visible” and “Invisible”
RESOLUTION 2-19
Overture 2-238 (CW, p. 116)

Whereas, The Synod has found the terms “visible”
and “invisible” useful for instruction of the doctrine
of the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod encourage the continued
use of these terms and any other terms that correctly
set forth the doctrine of the church as taught in the
Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

Action: Adopted (18).

To Refer to Board of Directors
Overtures 2-213 and 2-214
(General Editor)

RESOLUTION 2-20
Overtures 2-213—2-214 (CW, pp. 108—109)

Wuereas, The issues of Overtures 2-213 and 2-214,
“To Establish Position of General Editor,” have merit
but are too complex to be decided by a convention
floor committee; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod refer this matter to the

Synod’s Board of Directors for study and report back
to the convention in 1973.

Action: Adopted as amended (18).

(Originally the resolved had read: “. . . for study and
possible implementation.”)

To Uphold Synodical Doctrinal Resolutions
RESOLUTION 2-21

Overtures 2-07—2-11, 2-13—2-19, 2-21—2-22, 2-25—2-33,
2-35—2-44, 2-46—2-48, 2-52, 2-54—2-56, 2-59—2-64, 2-66,
2-70, 2-112—2-113 (CW, pp. 52—53, 54—56, 56, 57—58,
59—61, 62—63, 65, 65—69, 69, 70, 80—81)
Preamble

The Synod holds that “the Word of God shall
establish articles of faith and no one else, not even an

angel” (Tappert, p. 295:15) and that “the prophetic
and apostolic writings of the Old and New Testaments