# Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1930_S6
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

6 Proceedings of the thirty-second convention

Doctrinal Proceedings.

True Union
as Opposed to Unionism and Separatism.
Essayist: Dr. P. E. Kretzmann.

The question of Christian unity, of fellowship among brethren in the faith, has already been discussed often within the Synodical Conference [*Synodalkonferenz*], by individual conferences and synodical districts as well as by whole synods, and in the various periodicals that have treated this important question in both popular and scholarly fashion. Thus the Eastern District of the Missouri Synod heard a paper [*Referat*] in 1888 on the preservation of true unity, the Oregon and Washington District in 1924, and the same theme appears elsewhere repeatedly as part of a longer work.

At the conventions of the Synodical Conference, too, this very point has often been discussed. Well known is the history of the preliminary negotiations of 1870 and 1871 that preceded the formation of the Synodical Conference, in which constant reference was made to the biblical principles that must be observed in such a union. Well known also is the "Denkschrift" [memorial] of 1871, in which the words of Article 10 of the Formula of Concord on the true unity of the Church are cited. These principles emerge clearly in the doctrinal proceedings of 1888, which Prof. F. Pieper of St. Louis led on the basis of the following theses:

"1. By unity in faith we understand agreement in all articles of the Christian doctrine revealed in Holy Scripture.

"2. This unity in faith is possible because all articles of the Christian doctrine are clearly revealed in Holy Scripture.

"3. This unity in faith is willed by God, because God both commands the believing acceptance of his whole revelation and strictly forbids every departure from it.

"4. The necessary outward attestation of unity in faith consists in this, that those who stand in unity of faith acknowledge one another as brethren in the faith.

"5. Those who stand in unity of faith are to cultivate and seek to preserve it with all diligence as a most glorious good bestowed by the free grace of God."

In the year 1906 the following theses, written by Prof. J. Ph. Köhler, were before the Synodical Conference for discussion:

"1. What is unity in the Spirit? What does the expression mean? 1. Not the unity of the Spirit as the third person of the Godhead, in the sense a) that he alone is the one who rules in the Church, or b) that he creates the unity of the Church, but 2. the unity of the spirit, which is the new life created by the Holy Spirit in individual Christians. — What is the content of this new life? Faith, love, hope.

"2. What should move us to preserve this unity in the Spirit? Its significance as an essential part of the true Church, ordained by God, established by Christ, carried out among men by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel.