LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 108

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108 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

WHEREAS, Various humanist. historical critics. unorthodox
theologians, universalists, existentialists. evolutionists. charis-
matics. cultists. and others are introducing errors which are
not always answered in confessional documents written centu-
ries ago: and

WHEREAS. A comprehensive document of confessional rank
is now needed to apply the truth of the Scriptures to the errors
of our day in order to bring to an end the scandalous divisions
among us and provide an international basis and rallying
point for fellowship among orthodox Christians everywhere:
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
take appropriate steps to produce a “Twentieth Century For-
mula of Concord” that will deal precisely, in thesis and
antithesis, with the errors of our time and will establish the
truth in accordance with the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran
Confessions: and be it further

Resolved, That this “Twentieth Century Formula of Con-
cord” be submitted to theologians, churches, and individuals
all over the world for their signatures and adoption.

Trinity Lutheran Church
New Haven, Mo.
Orville Meyer. Secretary

3-36

To Repudiate Luther’s Treatise on Jews

WHEREAS, The year 1983 marks the 500th anniversary of the
birth of Martin Luther (1483—1546); and

WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church is especially mindful and
appreciative of the many gifts God bestowed upon this hero of
the faith, which he used to glorify the Lord of the church; and

WHEREAS, The voluminous amount of material he wrote
during his lifetime contains material of many types and
quality; and

WHEREAS, Not all of the writings of the blessed Martin
Luther deserve the same weight as instructive in the church
today; and

WHEREAS, Of particular difficulty in the church which bears
his name is his treatise entitled On Jews and Their Lies
(Luther's Works, American Edition, Vol. 47, pp. 123—306); and

WHEREAS, This lengthy treatise is replete with anti-Semitic
and scurrilous treatment of the Jewish people; and

WHEREAS, It is encumbent upon the church to praise that
which is good and to repudiate that which is wrong: and

WHEREAS, The position of Dr. Luther among us is that of
teacher, professor, and pastor but not infallible nor inerrant;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
repudiate the treatise of Martin Luther entitled On the Jews
and Their Lies in its entirety; and be it further

Resolved, That the sections of the treatise herewith sub-
mitted be especially denounced:

What shall we do with this rejected and condemned people, the
Jews? ...I shall give vou my sincere advice...

First, to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and
cover with earth whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever
again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our
Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are
Christians...

Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed...
_ Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings
in which such idolatry, lies, and cursing, and blasphemy are taught.
be taken from them...

Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach hence-
forth on pain of loss of life and limb...

Fifth, I advise that safe conduct on the highways be abolished
completely for the Jews...

Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them. and that all cash
and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for
safekeeping...

Seventh, I recommend putting a flail, an ax. a hoe, a spade, a
distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and
Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow

and be it finally

Resolved, That the church continue to give thanks for the
multitude of Christ-exalting writings and sermons prepared

and delivered by Dr. Luther during his lifetime.
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church
Beverly Hills, Calif.
Elwood Hillger,. Chairman
Jeffrey Mueller, Secretary
R. John Perling. Pastor

3-37
To Clarify Our Position on Anti-Semitism

WHEREAS, Some falsely believe that the Lutheran Church is
bound to the opinions of Martin Luther; and

WHEREAS, Some anti-Semitic statements of Luther are being
given public expression; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Florida-Georgia District of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod disavow and reject any and every
anti-Semitic remark attributed to Martin Luther (e.g., Luther’s
Works, American Edition, Vol. 47, pp. 268—72); and be it
further

Resolved, That the District reaffirm and determine to
proclaim the precious Gospel of Jesus Christ to Jew and Gentile
alike since ‘“‘all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of
God” but ‘‘all have been justified freely by His grace through
the redemption which is in Jesus Christ.”

Florida-Georgia District
L. Lloyd Behnken, President
Gerald W. Seaman, Secretary

3-38

To Celebrate
the 500th Luther Jubilee Properly

WHEREAS, Lutherans all over the world this vear are
celebrating the 500th birthday of Martin Luther; and

WHEREAS, Many of the leading Lutheran theologians se-
lected to speak at various celebrations commemorating the
500th year of Luther's birth reject the Christ of Holy Scripture
whom Martin Luther proclaimed: and

WHEREAS, The theological position of Martin Luther is often
misrepresented by liberal Lutheran theologians who claim
Luther rejected the inerrancy of the Bible, the immortality of
the soul, the vicarious satisfaction of Christ. and other basic
doctrines of historic Christianity: and

WHEREAS, Lutherans, as they celebrate Luther's 500th
birthday, do not want to give the impression to non-Lutherans
that they worship Martin Luther: therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
emphasize that. while orthodox Lutherans thank God for
Martin Luther, they trust only in the merits of Jesus Christ for
their salvation and regard the Bible alone as the source and
norm of all Christian doctrine; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS in its official publications this
year show that Luther affirmed

1. the complete inerrancy of the Bible in all matters:

2. the Genesis account of creation in six natural days, and
the Mosaic authorship of the first five books of the Bible:

3. the doctrine of justification by faith alone;

4. the vicarious satisfaction of Christ;

5. the virgin birth, deity. and physical resurrection of
Christ:

6. the immortality of the soul:

7. the Scriptural doctrine of the Trinity (not any kind of
modal monarchianism—three manifestations of God—which
is held by many liberal Lutherans):