# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2004_S406
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

406 THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS—-COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

sustained efforts to reach agreement in confession. For profitable
discussion of matters under dispute in the church it is critically im-
portant that points at issue be carefully delineated or defined, and
that a focused and reasoned presentation of biblical and confes-
sional evidence pertinent to the question be offered.

In the view of the Commission, “That They May Be One” has
failed to achieve the goal that it has set forth for itself, namely, “to
bring clarity and concord to this situation” [Preface]. In the Com-
mission’s opinion, the document has not adequately fulfilled its
claim, made in the language of confessional subscription, to be a
“common confession of the one Holy, Christian and Apostolic
faith, as set forth in the Holy Scriptures, as taught in the Book of
Concord, and as presented above” [Conclusion]. While there is
much in the document to commend it, the Commission concludes

2004 Convention Workbook

that because the document in numerous instances and at critical
points fails to make clear distinctions, provide basic definitions,
and supply sufficient biblical and confessional evidence for its
claims it does not “adequately and correctly give[s] expression to
the doctrinal position of the Synod.”

The Commission commends pastors and others in the Synod
who have offered written contributions to the ongoing conversa-
tion concerning these controverted issues. In forwarding the fore-
going evaluation of this particular contribution to the Council of
Presidents, the Commission encourages the Council to facilitate re-
sponsible public discussion of such matters in a spirit of collegial-
ity and charity, and under the Scriptures and Lutheran Confessions.
Adopted Feb. 17, 2004