# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S126 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) 126 SEMINARY ISSUES tion assembled of other statements which the Synod deems to be correct expositions of Scripture and necessary clarifi- cations of its position relative to and required by contem- porary circumstances; and WuerEas, The Lutheran Confessions to which the Synod is committed do not forbid the preparation, acceptance, and use of such statements since the Formula of Concord itself (1) provides that neither the recognition of the Augsburg Confession, the Apology, the Smalcald Articles, and Luther’s Catechisms as “publicly and generally accepted documents” nor the assertion that “the Word of God is and should re- main the sole rule and norm of all doctrine, and that no human being’s writing dare be put on a par with it” is to be construed to mean “that other good, useful, and pure books, such as interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, refuta- tions of errors, and expositions of doctrinal articles, should be rejected,” and (2) expressly urges that “they are to be accepted and used as helpful expositions and explanations” providing that “they are in accord with the aforementioned pattern of doctrine” (Formula of Concord, Solid Declaration, Comprehensive Summary, 9-10); and Wuereas, The Synod’s constitutional commitment to the Lutheran Symbols as correct expositions of Scriptures can- not, either on the basis of the Constitution itself or on the basis of the Scriptures or the Symbols, be construed to mean that never in her whole history dare the Synod prepare, accept, and use other helpful expositions and explanations providing they are in accord with the confessional pattern of doctrine; and Wueneas, The document titled A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles issued by the President of the Synod has been widely acclaimed throughout the Synod as a helpful and correct exposition and explanation of Scrip- tural and Confessional teachings relative to controversies that are disturbing the Synod, and the Commission on The- ology and Church Relations has found the doctrinal content of said Statement “to be in accord with the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and to contain nothing contrary to them”; therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod recognize and accept A State- ment of Scriptural and Confessional Principles as a helpful exposition and explanation of and response to the issues that are troubling our church today, and as representing the position of the Synod with regard to the issues in contro- versy. EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF Ovr REDEEMER Overland, Mo. Oreon Wesche, President Raymond Singer, Secretary Similar: 3-37B All Nations Lutheran Church, Rock Lake, N. Dak., Har- old Pantsari, Chairman: Leila Kaleva, Secretary. 3-37C Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Cleveland, Ohio, Andrew Smerek, Secretary. 3-37D St. John’s Lutheran Church. St. Johns, Mich., Richard D. Wells, President; Charles A. Stachel, Secretary. 3-38A To Approve “A Statement” Wuereas, Every member of the LCMS is to accept with- out reservation the written Word of God and the Lutheran Confessions (Art. II, Constitution), and congregations have joined the Synod for the conservation and promotion of the unity of the true faith and a united defense against schism and sectarianism (Art. III, Constitution); and Wuereas, The President and Vice-Presidents of the LCMS under date of March 3, 1972, issued A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles, the purpose of which is to provide Biblical and Lutheran guidelines for identifying theological viewpoints that are irreconcilable with the Syn- od’s position (Art. II c, Articles of Incorporation), and for determining whether a doctrinal position is “in complete accord with the Bible and the confessional position of our church as we have been taught it” (President’s accompany- ing letter); and WHEREAS, These guidelines are soundly Biblical and in full agreement with the Lutheran Confessions and the his- toric doctrinal position the LCMS has expressed repeatedly in documents and resolutions addressed to current theologi- cal problems; and WHEREAS, These guidelines are a clear and forthright statement of basic principles to which the LCMS must ad- here not only to preserve her doctrinal heritage, but to settle theological disputes and restore concord and harmony; and Wuereas, The Synod has a right as a Synod to apply Biblical and confessional principles to debated theological issues to determine what must be accepted as right and true and what must be rejected as false and injurious to the Gos- pel; (Art. III and IV, Constitution); therefore be it Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in convention assembled declare that it wholeheartedly ac- cepts, approves, and endorses the Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles as a basis for determining whether a doctrinal position is in accord with the Bible and the confessional position of our church as we have been taught it; and be it further Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod in convention assembled declare its intention to adhere to the principles enunciated in said document as valid and necessary guidelines for preserving theological concord within Synod. TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH Riverton, Wyo. Jim Luers, Chairman Jared Rosburg, Secretary R. C. Oberhau, Pastor Identical or Similar: 3-38B St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, R. 2, Shawano, Wis., Orris Kroenke, President; Vendor Eggert, Secretary, with the added provision that “it become binding on all pastors and teachers of the LCMS.” 3-38C St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., J. E. Murray, Pastor; Ronald Stowell, Secretary, with the addition of the following Resolveds: 3. That the Administration and Faculty of Concordia Seminary of St. Louis, Missouri, declare its need for an apology to Synod and its leaders and to also adhere to the same principles of said document as truly valid and neces- sary guidelines for preserving theological concord; 4. That this congregation submit this overture to the LCMS in convention assembled at New Orleans requesting the Synod itself to take such action. 3-38D Immanuel Ev. Lutheran Church, Mellen, Wis., Donald Koosmann, President: Robert Kretzschmar. 3-38E St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, Mellen, Wis., Ken Lind- quist, President; Donald L. Kulbachi, Secretary. 3-38F Trinity Lutheran Church, Ironwood, Mich., Leonard Korpi, President; R. W. Heikkinen, Pastor. 3-38G Zion Ev. Lutheran Church, Atlantic, Iowa, Allen Fann, Chairman; Richard Kanning, Secretary.