# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S284
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

284 STRUCTURE, PLANNING, AND ADMINISTRATION

tures or the Lutheran Confessions, or which purport to be confes-
sional statements of the Synod, as the basis for selective fellow-
ship, does violate Art. II of the Constitution of the Synod; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the convention declare that previously estab-
lished confessional statements of the Synod are, in fact, standards
by which fellowship is to be determined.

Lamb of God
Pleasant Prairie, WI

7-101

To Reaffirm Primary Use of Scripture
and Lutheran Confessions in Resolving
and Explaining Doctrinal Disputes -

WHEREAS, All matters are to be determined on the basis of
Scripture because it is the Word of God and the Lutheran Confes-
sions because they are the correct interpretation of Scripture (Art. II
of the Constitution); and

WHEREAS, When matters of controversy arise, the Constitution
and Bylaws of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod establish
the process for dealing with controverted issues; and

WHEREAS, Decisions on the controverted matters are rendered on
the basis of the Constitution, Bylaws, and resolutions of the Synod
without explanation of their scriptural and confessional basis; and

Whereas, Appeals to the Synod’s Constitution, Bylaws, and
resolutions render it difficult for congregations of the Synod to un-
derstand the underlying doctrinal issues, and may lead to the con-
clusion that such decisions may not have been rendered on the basis
of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, This can cause confusion, frustration, and disillu-
sionment among the congregations of the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the SELC District memorialize the LCMS 2004
convention to reaffirm the primary use of Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions in resolving doctrinal disputes; and be it fur-
ther

Resolved, That when doctrinal disputes that cause division in
the Synod are resolved, every effort be made to explain to the con-
gregations of the Synod the scriptural support and confessional
basis for rendering the decision; and be it finally

Resolved, That the SELC District provide opportunities for the
laity to participate in dialog concerning the important doctrinal is-
sues that confront the Synod, through District conferences, Circuit
Forums, and other appropriate venues.

SELC District

7-102

To Use Holy Scriptures in Dealings with One Another

WuereaS, Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz was given the responsibility
to investigate the situation involving Rev. Dr. David H. Benke and
his participation in “A Prayer for America” at Yankee Stadium in
New York City; and

WHEREAS, Vice-President Schulz presented “‘a very thorough
argument concerning the charges on the basis of the Holy Scrip-
tures alone” (“Decision of Dispute Resolution Panel: The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod”); and

WHEREAS, Vice-President Schulz “did follow the proper process
indicated by the Constitution and Bylaws of the Synod” (“Decision
of Dispute Resolution Panel: The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod”); therefore be it

Resolved, That we all continue to use the Holy Scriptures in our
dealings with one another; and be it further

Resolved, That we all continue to follow the Constitution and
the Bylaws of the Synod.

Immanuel
Merrill, WI

7-103

To Reread Scripture Before Dealing with Matters
That Impinge on Doctrine and Practice

Wuereas, Christ Himself places the authority of Holy Scrip-
ture above all human rules, as shown in many passages of the
Gospels (e.g., Matt. 15:1-9; 21:15-16; 22:29; Mark 7:6-8;
12:24-27; Luke 4:3-12; 16:14-17; John 8:31-32; 10:35); and

Wuereas, The apostles of our Lord settled matters of doctrine
and practice not only by direct revelations they themselves received
from God but also by referring their hearers to the Old Testament
Scriptures as the final authority (e.g., Acts 1:18-20; 2:14-36;
4:8-12; all of Acts 7; 8:26—35; 10:43; 13:32-43; 15:14-21; 18:28;
and in their epistles, Rom. 3:1-21; 4:3-8; 1 Cor. 1:18-19; 4:6; Gal.
1:6-12; 3:10—14, 16, 22; 2 Tim. 3:12—17; the entire Book of He-
brews; and 2 Peter 1:16—2:3); and

Wuersas, The Old Testament clearly and forcefully speaks to
present issues in the world and in the church (e.g., Deut. 5:6-7;
6:13-16; 7:1-26; 11:26-28; 13:1-18; 17:1—7; 20:16—18; 29:16—28;
32:39; Judg. 2:11-23; and especially 2 Chronicles 13-36); and

WuereaS, The New Testament also speaks clearly and force-
fully to the same issues that now confront the world and the church
(e.g., Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15—16; Luke 24:44-47; Acts 1:8 [If
non-Christian “gods” and religions can save, why is this Great
Commission needed?]; also John 1:9-10, 29; 3:16—-18; 5:22—23;
8:12, 24; 12:32; 14:6; 15:5-6, 23; 17:1-3, 20-21; Acts 4:8-12;
Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 10:1-33; 11:27-33; 2 Cor. 6:14—-7:1; 1 John
2:23-25; 4:1-6; 5:9-12; 2 John 7-11; Jude 3-5; Rev. 2:9-10,
14-16, 20-28; 3:9-12, 19; 22:18-19); and

WHEREAS, When Martin Luther was challenged concerning his
doctrine and practice, he submitted himself and the whole Christian
church, laity and clergy alike, to the Holy Scriptures of God as the
highest authority—even above popes and councils, saying in the
famous Leipzig Debate in 1519, “A simple layman armed with
Scripture is to be believed above a pope or a council without it. As
for the pope’s decretal on indulgences I say that neither the Church
nor the pope can establish articles of faith. These must come from
Scripture. For the sake of Scripture we should reject pope and
councils” (Roland H. Bainton, Here I Stand: A Life of Martin
Luther [New York and Nashville: Abingdon-Cokesbury Press,
1950], p. 117); and

WuereEas, The above serves as a clear, working definition of
the Lutheran and Christian principle of Sola Scriptura (the Scrip-
tures alone); and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures cited above, when studied by indi-
viduals or especially in groups, will form a firm foundation on
which the delegates to the current convention can base their deci-
sions in dealing with matters of the Synod’s doctrine and practice;
therefore be it

Resolved, That, in order that the whole Synod may truly speak
with one voice in accordance with God’s Word (1 Cor. 1:10), all
delegates to this 2004 convention, as faithful Lutheran Christians,
are asked to reread the above citations from God’s Word in prepa-
ration for making decisions on matters that impinge on the doctrine
and practice of the Synod, its congregations, pastors, Districts, and
other entities; and be it further

Resolved, That, in order to facilitate the above resolved, no issue
that may impinge on matters of doctrine and/or practice, including
decisions regarding unionism, syncretism, closed Communion, and
the like, be brought to the convention floor before the Monday
morning session of this convention; and be it finally

Resolved, That all decisions of the convention, of any officers of
the Synod, of any boards, of any commissions, of any committees,
of any panels, or of any other entity of the Synod be consciously
and carefully designed to be in line with the Sola Scriptura princi-
ple as taught in the Scriptures themselves and reiterated in the
Lutheran Confessions.

Shepherd of the Lakes
Syracuse, IN