# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_1975_S45 # Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration) THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 45 I. Lutheran Council in the U.S. A. During the past biennium the CTCR received regular reports on the activities of the Lutheran Council. Of particular interest to the commission is the work of the Division of Theo- logical Studies. Representing the Synod on this division's standing committee were Drs. Ralph Bohlmann, Theodore Nickel, and Richard Schultz. In 1972 a major division study was begun on "Discerning God’s Presence and Action in the World Today" with a series of regional conferences. Further reflection on the issues raised at these conferences resulted in two study groups: one on “The Relationship of Lutheran Particularity to Pluralism and Universalism.” the other on “The Categories of ‘Secular’ and ‘Sacred’ and Their Implications for the Tradi- tional Lutheran Categories of the Law/Gospel Dialectic and the Doctrine of the ‘Two Kingdoms.’"' More recently a new study has been initiated on “The Holy Spirit and His Manifestations in the World Today.” Representatives from the Missouri Synod have participated in each of these studies. J. Lutheran World Federation In accordance with 1971 Resolution 3-06, the CTCR evaluated the Fifth General Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation, held in Evian, France. in 1970. The commission’s evaluation titled “Evian in Retrospect’ was adopted in March 1973 and printed in the 1973 Workbook. pp.41f. On the basis of this evaluation the CTCR recommended that the Synod keep in contact with developments in the program of the Lutheran World Federation but that the Synod respectfully decline to make application for membership. In July 1974 the Synod was invited to attend the executive committee meeting of the LWF in Northfield, Minn. Rev. Samuel H. Nafzger and Dr. Martin Lieske attended this meeting as observers for the LCMS. Although the Missouri Synod is not a member of the LWF. questions relating to the Missouri Synod’s doctrinal controversy were discussed. The executive committee decided to ask President Mikko Juva to write to Dr. Preus in order to express the concern of the members of the LWF Executive Committee for The Lutheran Church-— Missouri Synod. President Preus responded to Dr. Juva's letter by stating that the Missouri Synod is ‘‘vitally interested in closer relationships between our respective groups.” He also indicated that the Missouri Synod would be most pleased to carry on doctrinal discussions with the Lutheran World Federation and that he would welcome conversation regarding the possibility of dis- cussions “‘both in the area of possible cooperation and closer relationships and particularly in the area of attempting to bring about a higher degree of doctrinal consensus among the Lu- therans of the world." The commission recommends: 25.a. That the Synod keep in contact with developments in the program of the LWF and encourage the President of the Synod and the CTCR to arrange for ways of promoting theological discussion with representatives from the LWF. b. That in response to the Board of Directors referral of 1973 Resolution 2-11 the Synod respectfully decline to make applica- tion for membership in the LWF at this time. K. NCC and WCC The commission has been asked by several conventions of The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod to prepare materials for the Synod on the National Council of Churches in Christ and the World Council of Churches. Because of a backlog of work, this assignment has not been completed. However. chiefly through its Executive Secretary, who is a member of the Faith and Order Commission of the NCC, the commission has kept itself informed regarding developments in both organiza- tions. In response to referral of 1973 Resolutions 2-10 and 2-14 to the CTCR by the Board of Directors, the commission recom- mends: 26. That the Synod encourage the CTCR to continue to keep itself informed concerning both the NCC and the WCC. L. Ecumenical Dialogs Lutheran-Reformed A second series of conversations between representatives of Lutheran and Reformed church bodies was held between 1972 and 1974. The purpose of these dialogs was “to assess the consensus and the remaining differences in the theology and life of the participating church bodies as they bear upon the teaching of the Gospel in the current situation.’ Six meetings were held. For a complete report of the LCMS representatives see Appendix D at the end of this report. This series of con- versations has now been completed. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Four meetings of Roman Catholic-Lutheran dialogs have been held since 1973 on the questions of papal primacy and infallibility. The essays presented during these discussions on papal primacy have been published in Volume V of Lutherans and Catholics in Dialogue. This volume. titled Papal Primacy and the Universal Church. is available from Augsburg Publishing House. The question of papal infallibility is being studied Biblically, historically. and doctrinally. Lutheran-Orthodox-Reformed During the past biennium a new dialog series was begun between Lutherans. Orthodox. and Reformed. Representing the LCMS were Drs. Warren Rubel and Ralph Bohlmann. In the two meetings held during the biennium, major attention was devoted to The Christian Gospel and Social Responsibility.” “The Commission plans to continue following the result of these conversations. Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogs A series of six dialogs between Lutherans and Episcopalians was held between 1969 and 1972. The essays and statements resulting from these meetings have been published by Forward Movement Press under the title Lutheran Episcopal Dialogue: A Progress Report. Plans for a new series of discussions are being developed. In response to the Board of Directors referral of 1973 Resolu- tion 2-45 to the CTCR, the commission recommends: 27. That the Synod encourage the President of the Synod to continue to participate on every level in ecumenical dialogs that permit a clear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. Guidelines for LCMS Participation in Ecumenical Dialogs In response to a request from the President of the Synod, the commission in March 1975 adopted guidelines for his assistance in carrying out his responsibilities as the chief ecumenical officer of the Synod. These guidelines are included with this report as Appendix E. It. AUXILIARY COMMITTEES A. Bible Versions Committee The Bible Versions Committee has met bimonthly since its appointment. Much time was devoted to making a comparative study of 10 of the most frequently used translations and para- phrases. The passages listed under the Explanation of the Second Article as found in the synodical catechism were the basis for the study, attached to this report as Appendix F. The comparative study materials included in this report lend themselves well for use in Bible study groups. It is hoped that such groups will use these materials to determine for them- selves the effective usefulness of the translations and para- phrases included. Presently the committee has in process a more detailed study of The New International Version—New Testament (NIV), prepared under the auspices of the New York Bible Society. A similar study of another recent translation is under considera- tion. B. Exchange Study Committee The Exchange Study Committee. begun in 1954 and incor- porated into the structure of the CTCR in 1962, has continued to provide scholarship funds and arrange for the exchange of professors between the Synod and its sister churches in various parts of the world. See Appendix G for the complete report of this committee. The commission recommends: 28. That the Synod encouraye the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to develop and expand the exchange study program as an important contribution to the theological growth and enrichment of the church bodies inrolved.