# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1892_S7
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

of the Ev. Luth. Synodical Conference of North America. 1892. 7

inferences from the propositions arising from the truth to be treated, drawn toward the other side, are hereby to be rejected from the outset. Although, then, the discussion of this proposition will contribute nothing to the solution of the said mystery, it will nevertheless be profitable in many respects. Apart from the fact that going into this subject gives occasion to reject unjustified inferences ascribed to us from the doctrine of *Gnadenwahl* [election of grace, predestination], it will yield a wealth of exhortations, warnings and encouragements as a consequence. Therefore, having been asked to set up theses for this year's convention of the Venerable Synodical Conference [*Synodalconferenz*], I have taken the liberty of laying before the venerable assembly a few propositions on this subject. They are the following

Theses.

The Unbelief of Those Who Are Lost Is Solely Their Own Fault.

Thesis 1.

Unbelief is the only reason why human beings remain in the damnation that came upon them already on account of original sin.

Thesis 2.

That human beings remain in the unbelief in which they are by nature, and so fall prey to eternal damnation, is not to be traced back to God;

not a. to an unconditional decree of God (rejection of Calvinism);

not b. to an omission on God's part, as if God had not also in those who are lost earnestly willed to work faith (rejection of a false inference from the doctrine of election).

Thesis 3.

The unbelief of those who are lost is to be traced back to themselves, because God himself wills to work and sustain faith in them through the means of grace.

Thesis 4.

The guilt of the evil conduct toward the means of grace, by which the working of grace by the Holy Spirit is resisted, is evident in those who have had the Gospel for this reason: that, according to the testimony of Scripture, this evil conduct is founded wholly and exclusively in their corrupt nature.