# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1884_S5
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1884. 5

Doctrinal Discussions.

The Reverend President of the Conference, Pastor J. Bading, had asked Prof. A. Gräbner and later also Dr. C. F. W. Walther each to prepare, on a subject that seemed suitable to him, theses for the doctrinal discussions at this year's convention of the Synodical Conference (*Synodalconferenz*). Both had complied with the request. Prof. A. Gräbner, however, had been unable to attend the Conference. So, besides the doctrinal subjects left unfinished by the Conference from earlier years, there lay before it the theses of Dr. Walther, which by unanimous resolution formed the basis of this year's doctrinal discussions. They read as follows:

Preliminary Remark. The writings left behind by the so-called Church Fathers as well as by the pious teachers of our Church are treasures for which we cannot thank God enough. 1 Thess. 5:20 (cf. Rom. 12:7). 1 Cor. 12:7 (cf. Acts 18:24–28).

How reprehensible it is to want to establish matters of faith from the writings of the Fathers and to bind consciences to their doctrinal decisions.

It is so reprehensible:
I. because it is contrary to Scripture; for it is
A. contrary to the authority that belongs to Holy Scripture alone,
a. of being alone the pure source of all knowledge of the faith,
b. of being alone the infallible rule and norm of all doctrines and teachers, and
c. of being alone the legitimate judge in all religious controversies.
Deut. 4:2. 2 Tim. 3:15–17. Acts 26:23. Luke 16:29 (cf. vv. 27–31). Rom. 16:17 ("beside" ["neben"]). Gal. 1:8. Rev. 22:18–19.
Ps. 119:105. Isa. 8:19–20.
Matt. 4:4, 7, 10. Luke 10:26. John 10:34 (cf. vv. 33–36).
B. contrary to the teaching of Scripture; for it is
a. contrary to the nature of the faith of Christians, which, according to Scripture, it has, namely to be founded on God's Word and therefore divinely certain.