# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1971_S119
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

RESOLUTIONS 119

of Scripture despite the fact that it is formulated in
synodically adopted resolutions. If a member cannot for
conscience’ sake accept a doctrinal resolution of the
Synod, he has the obligation and opportunity through
mutually approved procedure to challenge such a reso-
lution with a view to effecting the changes he deems
necessary. Failing in that, he is completely free by rea-
son of his wholly voluntary association with the Synod
to obey his conscience and disassociate himself from the
Synod. Meanwhile every member of the Synod is held
to abide by, act, and teach in accordance with the Syn-

od’s resolutions.
* * *

Wuereas, Doctrinal resolutions of the Synod which
are soundly Scriptural carry with them the authority of
God’s Word itself and do not set up “a power in the
church beside the power of the Word” (Walther’s Presi-
dential Address); and

Wuereas, The earnest warnings of Walther and Pie-
per against permitting anything but God’s Word to rule
in the church were not intended to apply to resolutions
of the Synod, which, when they are in harmony with
the Scriptures, do in fact permit God’s Word to rule; and

Wuereas, The Synod has indicated on the one hand
that its resolutions are not to be regarded as equal to
the Lutheran Symbols, and has made provisions for
challenging its resolutions, but on the other hand the
Synod has repeatedly declared that all members should
“honor and uphold” its resolutions (cf.: 1962, 3-17; 1965,
2-08; 1967, 2-04; 1969, 2-27); and

Wuereas, To “honor and uphold” means not merely
to examine and study them, but to support, act, and
teach in accordance with them until they have been
shown to be contrary to God’s Word; and

Wuereas, The Synod’s Constitution (Article XI, B, 4)
provides that “the President of the Synod shall see to
it that the resolutions of the Synod shall be carried
out” and in no way indicates that doctrinal resolutions
are excluded from this stipulation; therefore be it

Resolved, That we adopt the statement of the Coun-
cil of Presidents of February 27, 1970, as our own:

We, the Council of Presidents of The Lutheran
Church — Missouri Synod, committed to the preserva-
tion and extension of our confessional truths and to
unity based on God’s infallible Word and the norm of
the Lutheran Confessions, believe that only the Holy
Spirit, through the inspired and sanctifying Word, will
assure peace and harmony of our church. We are espe-
cially mindful that “the continuing concern for preser-
vation of pure doctrine and Christian unity should be
cultivated among the brethren in the spirit of Christian
love, since all disunity in the church is displeasing to
our Lord” and that our “synodically adopted statements
reflect a synodical consensus which speaks to the church
in a contemporary manner and may be regarded as
attempts to clarify the faith for the current life of the
church.” (Denver Res. 2-06, Proceedings, pp. 85—86)

Therefore we commit ourselves to the Denver resolu-

tions which request “that by the grace and mercy of
God the Synod abide by its doctrinal position as stated
in its constitution (Art. II)” and “uphold and honor the
doctrinal content of the synodically adopted statements
under the norms of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions” (2-06); and that “the Synod in humble
gratitude thank God that He has blessed the Synod with
such doctrinal statements” and that the Synod continue
“to urge its members to honor and uphold the synod-
ically adopted statements as valid interpretations of
Christian doctrine and not to give them more or less
status than they deserve.” (2-27)

We also remind the Synod “that all who believe these
synodically adopted doctrinal statements to be faulty in
their formulation of Scriptural doctrine, or to have other
deficiencies, be asked to present their concerns to the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations.”
(Cleveland Res. 3-17)

We therefore pledge that we will carry out our re-
sponsibilities as set forth in Synod’s Handbook, and we
pray that unity may be restored and strengthened in
our Synod on the basis of the Scriptures and the Lu-
theran Confessions. We seek the Spirit’s guidance that
we may help all pastors, teachers, and congregations
of Synod to attain a greater measure of joy in service
and mutual confidence in fulfilling our mutual Gospel
mission.

Action: Adopted as amended above (14). See also
Res. 5-24.

(When Res. 2-21 was first presented to the floor in Ses-
sion 8 it had, after the preamble and the whereases, the fol-
lowing resolveds:

Resolved, That the Synod once again declare its doctrinal
resolutions to be of binding force until it can be demonstrated
to the Synod that they are not in accord with the Word of God;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod remind the members of the Synod
(i.e., congregations, pastors, teachers, and professors, Bylaw
1.09 a) of their obligation to bring their concerns about resolu-
tions with which they cannot agree to the attention of the Synod
through the appropriate channels; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod request all who disagree with a
doctrinal resolution to refrain from expressing their dissent ex-
cept through procedures established by the Synod; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod and every member of the Synod
support the President of the Synod in the discharge of his obli-
gations to see to it that the Synod’s resolutions are in fact car-
ried out, supporting him in the discharge of the responsibilities
assigned to him in the Constitution (XI, B, 2—3).

Lively discussion followed. Several efforts to extend the
time failed. A 2-minute rule for every speaker on the issue
was adopted. Discussion was resumed in Session 11. At that
time it was moved and seconded to amend the resolution by
substituting Res. 5-24. In answer to a question the chair
ruled that if the motion to substitute should fail, Res. 5-24
would still be in the hands of Committee 5 and could come
before the convention during the course of Committee 5’s
report. When the question had been called for, the motion
to amend Res. 2-21 by substituting Res. 5-24 failed by a
standing vote of 450 to 469.

A motion to extend the time by 20 minutes carried by the
necessary 24 vote. The assembly gave formal permission
to Dr. Lloyd Goetz to read to the assembly the statement
adopted by the Council of Presidents on Feb. 27, 1970, with
reference to the status of synodical resolutions. It was then
moved and seconded to amend Res. 2-21 by substituting for
the resolveds the Feb. 27, 1970, statement of the Council of
Presidents. Provision was made to have this statement
printed in Today’s Business.

In Session 14 the amendment was adopted by a rising
vote of 485 to 425. Thereupon the preamble and the where-