# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S125 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) SEMINARY ISSUES 125 3-35A To Use Dr. Preus’ “Statement” Wuereas, Dr. Preus prepared A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles to “assist the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in identifying areas need- ing further attention in terms of the Synod’s doctrinal posi- tion”; and Wuereas, The President of the Synod in the exercise of his right and duty of synodical supervision and theological leadership, has also presented this doctrinal Guideline to the church, to assist the Synod in the conservation and preserva- tion of the unity of the true faith (Const. Art. III); and Wuereas, The Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations has approved the doctrinal content of A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles as being in accord with the Scriptures and the Lutheran Con- fessions; and Wuereas, The Statement reflects the church’s high un- derstanding of the Gospel and Holy Scripture, putting Christ and His saving Gospel first, also acknowledges that the doc- trinal content of the Lutheran Confessions involves Scrip- tural teachings set forth indirectly, such as the doctrine of Biblical authority, verbal, plenary inspiration of the Scrip- tures, and that the Gospel itself is distorted when the his- torical factuality of specific Biblical accounts (Fall, Flood, Exodus) is questioned or denied; and WuereaS, The Statement constitutes a Bible-based refer- ence true to the historic position of the Lutheran church, and clearly indicates how Scripture is degraded and negated through human philosophy and negative higher critical scholarship not consistent with the Scripture alone prin- ciple; and Wuereas, The Statement, though not intended as a new statement or standard of orthodoxy, directly relates to the present theological controversy contributing to confusion and conflict in the Synod; therefore be it Resolved, That the Statement be used as an aid to- wards resolution of the doctrinal disputes and difficulties within the church in recent years, thereby promoting spir- itual unity, restoring synodical concord, reaffirming the Bib- lical standards and norms by which the Synod’s life and work shall be ordered (Const. Art. III and VI); and be it finally Resolved, That we urge the President of the Synod and all others in official and authorized positions of doctrinal supervision to initiate whatever additional positive and de- cisive action may be necessary to maintain and safeguard the preaching and teaching of God’s Word in its truth and purity in our beloved church and Synod. Trinity LUTHERAN CHURCH Billings, Mont. Russell Jourdan, Secretary Similar: 3-35B Zion Lutheran Church, Anaheim, Calif., Stan Depue, President; Elmer W. Matthias, Pastor. 3-35C St.Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Memphis, Ark., Jerome P. Mutter, President; Herbert E. Berry, Pastor. 3-35D Christ the King Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tenn., B. P. McKay, President; Carl W. Schrader, Pastor. 3-35E Bethany Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, Wis., C. Seefeldt, Chairman; E. M. Goltermann, Pastor. 3-35F Lutheran Church of St.John, Quincy, Ill, John Phillips, Chairman, Herbert W. Hallerberg, Pastor. 3-36A To Endorse “A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles” Wuereas, A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles issued by President J. A. O. Preus is thoroughly grounded in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confes- sions: and Wuereas, A Statement is simply a restatement of the position long held by the LCMS; and Wuereas, A Statement has been endorsed by Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations; and Wuereas, A Statement speaks particularly to the doc- trinal issues troubling the church today; and Wuereas, Although President J. A. O. Preus did not offer A Statement as a new standard of orthodoxy, the church has the privilege and responsibility to recognize and support true Scriptural doctrine; therefore be it Resolved, That the LCMS endorse A Statement of Scrip- tural and Confessional Principles as a correct and truly Lu- theran exposition of the Holy Scriptures; and be it further Resolved, That the LCMS declare that A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles is to be regarded as a “formal and comprehensive statement of belief” in the sense of Res. 5-24 of the Milwaukee convention (Proceedings, 1971, pp. 163—165) and that the Synod further declare that A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles shall hold the status defined in the resolution. FaITH LUTHERAN CHURCH Sioux Falls, S. Dak. P. D. Brack, Pastor Jerry Gan, Chairman Paul Lawrence Jr., Secretary Identical or Similar: 3-36B Grace Lutheran Church, St. Catharines, Ontario, Gerhard Schaffner, President; Matthias R. L. Krey, Pastor. 3-36C St.John Lutheran Church, Clifford, Ontario, Aaron Ru- bach, Chairman. 3-36D Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, Huron, S. Dak., M. Thomas Bauer, Secretary. 3-36E Resurrection Lutheran Church, St. Catharines, Ontario, Roger J. Humann, Pastor. 3-36F Memorial Lutheran Church, Sioux Falls, S. Dak., Donald Jerke, Chairman; C. F. Paul, Pastor. 3-36G First Ev. Lutheran Church, Clearwater, Fla. Donald R. Drung, President; David V. Dissen, Pastor. 3-36H Trinity Lutheran Church, Sturgis, Mich., Bruce Schaeffer, Chairman; H. M. Heidenreich, Pastor. 3-361 Grace Lutheran Church, Bakersfield, Calif., L. W. Faul- stick, Pastor; C. G. Billingsley, Secretary. 3-37A To Accept “A Statement” Wuereas, The Synod, when it by resolution of a general convention included the historic Lutheran Symbols in its confessional base and did by this act exercise the right and duty of confessing Christians to adopt statements which they hold to be correct expositions of the Scriptures, and thereby established precedent for the adoption by Synod in conven-