# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1886_S11
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1886. 11

appearance of authority, also cited the Scripture. Thus Irenaeus reports of the Valentinians: "By means of a frivolous interpretation they draw their proofs from the evangelical and apostolic writings." In the footsteps of those men our Lutheran teachers, the fathers, foremost among them Dr. Luther, have trodden; and that is also our way, as their late-born sons. By the Scripture we judge when it is a matter of deciding whether a doctrine is from God or only human opinion. We know from the Scripture, and only from the Scripture, and teach according to the Scripture, that God is triune, that the world was created in six days by God's almighty word, that man was made in the image of God, that Christ, the Son of God and of David, redeemed the whole of mankind, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, sat down at the right hand of God, and will one day judge the world. We know from the Scripture, and only from the Scripture, and teach according to the Scripture, that the Holy Spirit by powerful calling desires to lead all to Christ and to keep them in the faith, and likewise that although many are called, few are chosen, and only these chosen ones are saved, are most certainly saved, and not for the reason that God had regard to their doing or conduct and therefore saved them, but out of sheer grace and mercy.

Whatever opposes these teachings of the Scripture, be it Arianism or Socinianism, Rationalism or Calvinism or Synergism in any form down to the most recent days, we reject gladly and from the whole heart as error, lie, and deceit. We recognize no one as a brother in the faith who knowingly refuses to accept a truth that is written plainly in God's Word. Indeed, we study the words of Holy Scripture and spend time and money on it, in order that we may learn to understand the individual words ever better. For what other purpose do we establish schools and institutions than that ever more proper interpreters of Scripture may be trained? We bind our preachers to the Confessions because they agree with Holy Scripture.

All this, however, can have its justification only if Holy Scripture is a quite firm foundation of faith and doctrine. And such a firm foundation it is according to 2 Pet. 1:19: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts." And Titus 1:9 says: "Holding fast the faithful word, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers." But Holy Scripture can be such a firm foundation of faith only if it is God's own Word. For in this Book it is a matter of God's thoughts and his counsels concerning fallen mankind. And if, according to 1 Cor. 2:11, no man knows what is in a man,