# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1973_S140
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

140 SEMINARY ISSUES

(Article VI, for example, acceptance of the confessional basis
of Article II, etc.); and

Wuereas, The Synod’s Handbook shows that the Synod’s
theological schools are to be directed and supervised ac-
cording to the doctrine and practice of the Synod within the
intent and resolutions of the Synod (6.03, 6.05, 6.21, 6.37,
6.39), acting as agents of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, The American Association of Theological
Schools (AATS) has placed Concordia Theological Semi-
nary of St.Louis on a 2-year academic probation because
of what it called undue outside interference in its operation,
which in fact was supervision by the President of Synod and
Synod’s Board for Higher Education according to constitu-
tional provision for supervision on the basis of theological
standards and doctrine; and

WuereEas, The AATS makes a theological judgment in the
question whether a certain professor has gone beyond the
limits of Lutheran doctrine, despite its constitution which
States that it will not involve itself in doctrinal matters of
a denomination: and

WHEREAS, The faculty and Board of Control of the semi-
nary have the option of appealing the decision of the AATS;
and

Wuereas, The President of the Synod has appointed
a committee to study the matter and to work out a God-
pleasing solution; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Michigan District in convention en-
courage the President of Synod and Synod’s Board for
Higher Education to remind the AATS to keep true to its
constitution by not involving itself in doctrinal matters of
a denomination; and be it further

Resolved, That in answer to the faculty's appeal for help
to remedy the situation we remind them of the Synod’s will
to supervise the doctrinal standards of our theological
schools through the Board of Control, Board for Higher
Education, and the Synod’s President on the basis of the
Synod’s historic position in doctrine and practice; and be it
finally

Resolved. That the Michigan District ask the Synod in
convention at New Orleans in 1973 to declare that the Synod
will not give up its controls of its faculties on the basis of
criticism of subjective judgments of accrediting agencies

such as the AATS. MIcHican District

Howard W. Kramer, Secretary
Similar:

3-87B

South Wisconsin District, Robert A. Schmidt, Secretary,
with substitution of final whereas:

Wuereas, The majority of the faculty of our St. Louis
seminary first requests help from members of the Synod
to remedy the situation which brought about the recent
action of the AATS, and it places the blame upon the
President of Synod and Synod’s Board for Higher Education
by declaring that neither the school’s faculty nor its Board
of Control was primarily responsible for the conditions
which led to the probation; therefore be it an

3-88
To Propose Updating of AATS Standards

Wuereas, The American Association of Theological
Schools has objected to the role of the Board for Higher
Education as defined by the synodical Handbook; and

WHEREAS, The AATS placed the Concordia Seminary,
St. Louis, on probation because of the Board for Higher Edu-
cation action in declining to give prior consent to the ap-
pointment of Dr. Arlis Ehlen to the faculty of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis; and

Wuereas, The AATS standards fail to account for the
position of the Board of Higher Education within the LCMS
which is similar to the statewide governing and coordinating
boards in state educational systems; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Control of Concordia Semi-
nary, St. Louis, call the attention of the AATS to the parallel

in authority and responsibility between these new statewide
governing and coordinating boards and the Board for Higher
Education; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Board of Control propose to the AATS
that its standards be updated to reflect this significant edu-

cational development. Trinity LUTHERAN CHURCH

Indianapolis, Ind.
William Harding, Secretary

3-89

To Protest Actions of AATS Toward
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

Wuereas, The AATS accrediting agency makes a theologi-
cal judgment in the question whether a certain professor has
gone beyond the limits of Lutheran doctrine, despite its
constitution which states that it will not involve itself in
doctrinal matters of a denomination; and

Wuereas, Dr. Arthur Repp, President John Tietjen of
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, and David Schuller are offi-
cers of the AATS, thus showing conflict of interest; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention continue to de-
sire accreditation from the AATS only if the AATS apolo-
gize for its incursion into synodical affairs and promises that
Dr. Arthur Repp, President John Tietjen, and David Schuller
will neither be instrumental in nor involved in future deci-
sions regarding the seminary in St.Louis and its accredita-

tion. TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH

Sturgis, Mich.

Bruce Schaeffer,Chairman
Albert Bumann, Secretary
H. M. Heidenreich, Pastor

3-90
To Challenge AATS on its Judgment

Whereas, The Commission on Accrediting of the Amer-
ican Association of Theological Schools has objected to the
actions of the President of Synod in carrying out his duties
under Article XI of the synodical Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Accrediting has expressed
particular concern over the action of President Preus in ap-
pointing a Fact Finding Committee, charging undue inter-
ference of the synodical President in the affairs of Concordia
Seminary, St.Louis; and

Whereas, Kenrick Seminary, St.Louis, is accredited by
the AATS, and is governed by a Board of Directors made
up of the Archbishop of St. Louis, who serves as its Presi-
dent; the Vicar General and Chancellor of the Diocese of
St. Louis: and other members elected by the ex officio mem-
bers of the Board of Directors; and

WHEREAS, St. Thomas Seminary, Denver, is also accredited
by the AATS, and is governed by the Board of Trustees
made up of the Rector, appointed by the Vincentian Pro-
vincial, and four other members of the Vincentian Fathers
elected or reelected annually by the Board itself; and

Whereas, St. John University School of Divinity, College-
ville, Minn., is also accredited by the AATS, and is gov-
erned by a Board of Trustees consisting of the Chancellor,
three appointed and two elected members of the Order of
St. Benedict, and up to five other Trustees selected by the
Board of Trustees; and

Wuereas, It, therefore, appears that the AATS applies
different standards to different seminaries, objecting at Con-
cordia Seminary, to the interference of the synodical Presi-
dent, but accepting other Boards of Trustees made up largely
of church officials; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Board of Control of Concordia Sem-
inary be directed to protest to the American Association of
Theological Schools the unequal treatment of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, is receiving; and be it further

Resolved, That if satisfactory adjustment of this inequity
is not forthcoming, the Board of Control of Concordia Sem-
inary, St.Louis, and the Board of Control of Concordia