LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1983, Page 111

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 111

WHEREAS, The LCMS has recognized homophile behavior
as “intrinsically sinful”; and
WHEREAS, Some Lutherans have said that ‘the Church may
not condemn or judge homosexual propensity”: and
WHEREAS, Jesus clearly teaches that the desires of the heart
are included under the condemning and accusing finger of the
Law (“disgraceful passions,” Matt. 15:19; Rom. 1:26; therefore
be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
declare that both homosexual nature and practice are sinful;
and be it further
Resolved, That no homosexual who refuses to repent of the
sin of homosexuality be allowed to remain a member of the
LCMS: and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS recognize that all have sinned
(Rom. 3:23) and that there is full and free forgiveness for all
repentant sinners, including homosexuals.
Trinity Lutheran Church
New Haven, Mo.
Orville Meyer, Secretary

3-46

To Study
Christian—Non-Christian Marriages

WHEREAS, The number of divorces in the world and in the
church is escalating: and

WHEREAS, The increasing number of divorces is but the tip
of the iceberg of increasing suffering (physical and emotional),
withdrawing from church activity, and apostasy; and

WHEREAS, It is generally believed that a common religion is
a strong force for keeping husbands and wives together and
happy and productive in their mariages; and

WHEREAS, It is helpful for the voice of the church to be
unified, and yet there is varying opinion within Synod con-
cerning Christian-Non-Christian marriages: therefore be it

Resolved, That the CTCR be requested to study thoroughly
the entire Scriptures and Confessions prior to the District
conventions in 1985, and

A. Specifically evaluate each of the following lines of
approach, each of which (if correct) leads to the conclusion that
it is contrary to God's will (a sin) for a Christian to marry a
non-Christian:

1. God in Old Testament times told believers not to marry
unbelievers (Deut. 7:3-4: Neh. 13:25-26), and Dr. Fritz in
Pastoral Theology. p. 163, states that Old Testament marriage
laws are part of the moral law and hence are still in effect.

2. God in Old Testament times warned believers of the
dangers of marrving unbelievers (Ex. 34:12-16: Joshua 23:12-
13; 1 Kings 11:1-4), and such marriages resulted in tragedy
(Gen. 6:1-5; 1 Kings 11:1-4). These dangers remain today. and
selecting a wavy of life that has this significant a danger seems
to be sinning against Matt. 4:7.

3. Stewardship of time. talents. and treasures and the
bringing up of children in the nurture and admonition of the
Lord are at best difficult when there is not acommon faith. and
selecting a way of life that is at best difficult seems to be
sinning against Matt. 4:7.

4. The unequal voking spoken of in 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
we apply to Christians joining non-Christian lodges, and we
speak out strongly against such unions. The marriage of a
Christian to a non-Christian is a much more intimate. strong
voking. is just as unequal, and should be spoken out against
even more strongly.

5. Applving the restriction of marrying only in the Lord
(1 Cor. 7:39) only to widows or women would be applying a
double standard. Interpreting “in the Lord” as “in a Christian
way would be a limitation that would apply to anything one
did and would not add much to the admonition. Hence. 1 Cor.
7:39 commands Christians to marry only Christians.

6. The comparison of a man and his wife to Christ and the

church (Eph. 6:23-33) demonstrates the essential oneness of
spirit and birth (from above, by the Spirit) that God desires in
Christian marriages. A heterodox marriage does not permit
even the approximation of such a condition right from the
start, defeats God’s purposes from the start, and therefore is
contrary to His will, and
B. Recommend practical guidelines for pastoral counseling
and action, specifically answering the questions (and any
others appropriate in the CTCR’s opinion)
1. Is it contrary to God's will for a Christian to marry a
non-Christian?
2. Should pastors be advising against such heterodox
marriages? If so, on what basis?
3. Should pastors be performing such heterodox marriages?
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Audubon, Iowa
Gary Bald, President
Douglas Young. Pastor

3-47

To Warn Against Satanic Activities
in Our Modern Society

WHEREAS, As Christians we believe that there are evil forces
in the world which take many disguises and forms to tempt us
from the way of truth and the Word of God (Rev. 16:13-l4a; 2
Thess. 2:3-10); and

WHEREAS. Some of these evil forces use guile and illusion to
convince us that they are truth and speak the Word of God (2
Cor. 11:14-15; 1 Tim. 4:1-2); and

WHEREAS, Deut. 18:10b-13 says: °... anyone who practices
divination, a soothsayer. or an augur. or a sorcerer, or a
charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For
whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord; and
because of these abominable practices the Lord your God is
driving them out before vou; and

WHEREAS, Insidious forces are using modes that have been
considered harmless and entertaining and give the false
impression that demonic personages are harmless myth (Rev.
20: Tb-8a). Specific examples of these forces of evil include
televsion shows such as “Bewitched.” and “Tucker's Witch”:
games such as Eight Ball. Ouija boards. and others which tell
the future: horoscopes: and caricatures such as kitchen witches.
little red devils. ghosts. and goblins: and

WHEREAS, Other areas of concern include the more blatant
forms of witchcraft and its paraphernalia: tarot cards: palm
reading: and movies such as Omen land IT, Halloween Iand II.
The Exorcist. and other films dealing with demons. covens.
spell. and charms; therefore be it

Resolved, That congregations spend time educating their
members so that we will not be ignorant of these designs of
Satan (2Cor. 2:11; 1 Cor. 10:20b-22). This educational process
could include sermons. lectures. classes, articles in newsletters,
and whatever other methodology is available to inform the
members of the congregation. We should also pray that others
are not lured into evil by what is a seemingly harmless and
entertaining endeavor (John 17:15).

Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
Atascadero, Calif.

Philip W. Sievers, Pastor

Vicki Heinemann, Secretary

3-48A

To Publish
an Updated Systematic Theology

WHEREAS, There is a need for an orthodox and updated work
on systematic theology in all of Christendom; Affirm maga-
zine. published by orthodox members of The Lutheran
Chureh—Missouri Synod. has said: **The liberal literature our
clergy increasingly seems to read (and may often uncon-