# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S52
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

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52 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

Wisconsin District and studied in all congregations of the
South Wisconsin District, and that we ask all pastors and
individual members to commit themselves to this positive
thrust under the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions;
and be it finally

Resolved, That this resolution be presented to the 1973
convention of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in
New Orleans with the request that it be accepted by all our
sister congregations with the prayer that we remain united
in doctrine and Practice for the good of the Kingdom, for

keeping The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod true to her
Scriptural and Confessional commitment for the eternal wel-

fare of all its members. SouTH Wisconsin District

Robert A. Schmidt, Secretary

To Vote on Two Statements

WHEREAS, We have read and circularized our congrega-
tion with the above document [A Statement]: and

WHEREAS, We find ourselves in substantial agreement and
that it is an adequate expression of the issues that confront
and divide our Synod: and

WHEREAS, We have over the years alerted Synod to the
doctrinal deterioration in the field and at the St. Louis semi-
nary (see the Blue Book CTM) and have submitted our
convictions to previous conventions: therefore be it

Resolved, That in plain, bold letters that all the world
can understand, we reduce the issues to two statements that
encompass a votable proposition,

A. Adam and Eve were two real people (Gen. 1, 2,3,4,5;
1 Chron. 1:1; Job 31:33: Luke 3:38; Rom. 5: 12-21; 1 Cor. 15: 22,
45, 1 Tim. 2:13,14: Jude 14);

B. Jesus and Jonah were real people (Jonah 1—4; 2 Kings
14:25; Matt. 12: 38-42 {Jonah, Nineveh, queen of the South,

and Solomon are equally real to the Resurrection of Jesus];

A vote of “yes” or “no” by the convention on this resolution
needs no amendments, no tabling, no recess, no committee,
no Lutheran presuppositions, no maneuvering, no sitting
down and discussing; and be it further

Resolved, That we at Bethlehem vote “yes” on A and B
as given above. For the present controversy this is an ade-
quate statement as to how we read the Bible.

BETHLEHEM Ey. LUTHERAN CHURCH
Evanston, III.

Eugene Koch, Chairman

Larry Gardner, Secretary

F. A. Hertwig, Pastor

2-15
To Subscribe to the Brief Statement

Wuereas, It is evident from Preus’ Report in compliance
with Res. 2-28 of the 49th regular convention of the Synod
that not all professors and instructors of the St. Louis semi-
nary accept the teachings of Scripture as we in the Missouri
Synod have historically accepted them; and

WHEREAS, The Brief Statement of 1932 has repeatedly
been recognized by conventions of the Missouri Synod as

eing an accurate stand on issues troubling the church of
today; and

WHEREAS, One of the true God-given blessings of Synod
is oneness of faith and practice: and

WuereEas, God has definitely told us in Titus 3:10-11
“A man who chooses to be different in his teaching warn
once and a second time, and then don’t have anything more

wrong way and is a sinner who condemns himself” (N. T. in
the Language of Today — C. Pp. H.-published) ; therefore
be it

Resolved. That Synod require each of its instructors. pas-
tors, and administrators (present and future) to make a

bona fide subscription to the Brief Statement as well as to
other Confessions (Quia subscription); and be it further

Resolved, That anyone who cannot with a clear con-
science subscribe wholeheartedly to these confessions, be
dropped from our church as instructor, pastor, or adminis-
trator over any other instructor, pastor, or administrator in
the Lutheran church; and be it finally

Resolved, That this be incorporated into Article XIII 1 of

Synod’s Constitution. TRINITY LUTHERAN CuurRCH

Slayton, Minn.
Milton Schroeder, Chairman
G. Pundt, Pastor

2-16
To Require Written Assurance of Faith

WHEREAS, The stability and welfare of Synod depend on
its ability to maintain “unity in the faith” (Const., Art. III 1);
and

Wuereas, Synod’s current difficulty stems from doctrinal
disunity: and

Wuereas, This is apparent at District and national con-
ventions, in our colleges and Seminaries, among synodical
Officials, and in commissions, boards, and committees; and

Whereas, This is hindering Synod in the performance of
its duties as a servant to its members; therefore be it

Resolved, That henceforth the Synod require written as-
surance of every voting and advisory convention delegate,
of every candidate for office, and of every candidate for an
administrative and teaching position at Synod’s colleges and

Resolved, That if any elected or appointed person experi-
ences a change of heart he shall vacate his position; and be
it further

Resolved. That the Presidium prepare a proper form for
general use, that it be signed in duplicate and filed for ref-
erence with the responsible authority and with the Secre-
tary of Synod: and be it finally

Resolved, That no person be seated, elected, or appointed
until his affirmation is in hand and has been reviewed and
approved by the Secretary of the District or by the Secre-
tary of Svnod, depending on whether it is a matter for the
District or the general Synod.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
New Haven, Mo.

Larry Scheer, Secretary

2-17

To Reaffirm the Binding Nature
of Doctrinal Resolutions

WHEREAS, Synod in convention in Milwaukee, 1971, has
stated that “in accord with Article II of the Constitution,”
synodically-adopted doctrinal resolutions have “binding
force for all members” (2-21, Preamble): and

it can be demonstrated that a resolution is in fact ‘not in
accordance with the Word of God'™ (same); and

WHEREAS, The Synod in same convention stated that if a
member failed to challenge a doctrinal resolution success-
fully, “he is completely free by reason of his wholly volun-
tary association with the Synod to obey his conscience and
disassociate himself from the Synod” (same); and

Wuereas, The same convention stated that “every mem-
ber of the Synod is held to abide by, act, and teach in ac-
cordance with the Synod’s resolutions” (same);

Wuereas, The same Synod has defined to “honor and
uphold” as “not merely to examine and study them, but to