# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S432
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

432

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

WHEREAS, The ILC resolved in its 2015 world conference in
Buenos Aires “to strengthen the reach of the ILC” in time for its
25th anniversary celebrated in Antwerp, Belgium, on Sept. 25–28,
2018:
• by adopting revised bylaws to meet the challenges and
opportunities of the 21st century;
• by legally incorporating as a non-profit;
• by developing programs that benefit its members;
and
WHEREAS, The ILC has become a beacon to worldwide
Lutheranism by upholding the Holy Scriptures as the infallible
Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions; in 2018 the ILC
received 17 new members bringing its total membership to 54
Lutheran churches; and
WHEREAS, In his 1956 President’s Report, Dr. Behnken reported
that the conferences held in Europe afforded, “opportunities to exert
a real influence for Scriptural Lutheranism … Some great
theologians, not of our Synod, have stated that our Synod and those
in fellowship, are the last hope of true Lutheranism. Many are
praying fervently for us,” and these conferences and prayers led to
the formation of the ILC which provides hope for true Lutheranism;
and
WHEREAS, In 1995, the Synod in convention (Resolution 3-03A)
resolved “that we state our sincere hope that the International
Lutheran Council may carry on the task it has assigned to itself, and
to that end ask the Lord to grant His greatest blessings so that the
witness of the ILC churches may glorify Him and be heard
throughout the world; and be it finally resolved, that … the LCMS
declare that it is a member of the ILC”; therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS give thanks to God for more than 25
years of membership in and for the expansion of the ILC; and be it
further
Resolved, That the ILC be commended for its work to provide a
place for worldwide Lutheran churches to be strengthened in the
Holy Scriptures and in Lutheran identity as it bears witness to the
Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS encourage its members to learn more
about the work of the ILC, continue its involvement in the ILC, and
support the ILC so that Lutheran churches worldwide will have a
place to be encouraged, strengthened, and encouraged to remain
faithful and bold witnesses.
Zion
Ridgeville Corners, OH
Ov. 5-11

To Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching concerning
the Age of the Earth
WHEREAS, The Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, which
is God’s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps.
119:105; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21; Formula of
Concord, Solid Declaration, Binding Summary 3); and
WHEREAS, Christ’s words presuppose the inspiration and
veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. 17:3; 19:4–5; Mark
12:26; Luke 16:31; 24:44; John 5:46; etc.); and
WHEREAS, The first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world
was made from nothing in six days; and

2019 Convention Workbook

WHEREAS, There is no reason to believe from the context or some
subtlety of meaning that “day” refers to a span of time longer than
24 hours (see Joel Heck, In the Beginning, God [St. Louis;
Concordia Publishing House, 2011], 39–47); and
WHEREAS, The testimony of the Scriptures, given the
genealogical witness of Genesis 5 and 10, indicates the age of the
earth being near 6000 years; and
WHEREAS, Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and
apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures’ clear teaching
that death came as result of Adam’s sin (Rom. 5:12; 1 Cor.15:21);
and
WHEREAS, St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought
captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
in convention to reaffirm the scriptural doctrine of Creation from
nothing in six ordinary 24-hour days in conformity with the natural
reading of Genesis; and be it further
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention reaffirm the age of the
earth in terms of thousands of years rather than in terms of millions
or billions of years, so as to reject the erroneous doctrine of
Darwinism and all related positions.
Rocky Mountain District
Ov. 5-12

To Reaffirm the Scriptural Teaching concerning
the Age of the Earth
WHEREAS, The Scripture of the Old and New Testaments, which
is God’s Word, is the only rule and norm of faith and life (Ps.
119:105; John 17:17; 2 Tim. 3:16; 2 Pet. 1:21; Formula of Concord,
Solid Declaration, Binding Summary 3); and
WHEREAS, Christ’s words presuppose the inspiration and
veracity of the five books of Moses (Matt. 17:3; 19:4–5; Mark
12:26; Luke 16:31; 24:44; John 5:46; etc.); and
WHEREAS, The first two chapters of Genesis teach that the world
was made from nothing in six days; and
WHEREAS, There is no reason to believe from the context or some
subtlety of meaning that “day” refers to a span of time longer than
24 hours (see Joel Heck, In the Beginning, God [St. Louis;
Concordia Publishing House, 2011], 39–47); and
WHEREAS, Darwinian evolution presupposes death before and
apart from sin which conflicts with the Scriptures’ clear teaching
that death came as result of Adam’s sin (Rom 5:12; 1 Cor. 15:21);
and
WHEREAS, St. Paul commands us to hold every human thought
captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:5); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Indiana District memorialize The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) in convention to reaffirm the
scriptural doctrine of creation that God in six days created from
nothing all things in conformity with the natural reading of
Scripture beginning with Genesis; and be it further
Resolved, That the Indiana District memorialize the LCMS in
convention to reaffirm the age of the earth in terms of thousands of
years rather than in terms of millions or billions of years, so as to
reject the erroneous doctrine of Darwinism and all related positions.
Indiana District