LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1986, Page 131

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CONGREGATIONAL MINISTRIES 131

in the image of God and deserving of honor (Rom.
1:24-25). Pornography has special appeal to those
who, for instance, desire not a woman, but only “a
pleasure for which a woman happens to be the nec-
essary piece of apparatus” (C.S. Lewis, The Four
Loves, p. 135). Such separation of bodily functions
from the body as person is foreign to the Scriptures.
One’s body is not merely the carrier of sex but the
carrier of “man’s very self” (J. A. T. Robinson, The
Body, p. 28; (cf. 1 Cor. 6:13-20, where “body” is used
by the apostle Paul in the sense of our word person-
ality; “body” is equivalent to the personal pronoun).
The manifestations of sexual deterioration, says Hel-
mut Thielicke, are caused by the “loss of the ability
to see the interconnection of bios and person,” and
thus the tendency to “degrade one’s partner to the
status of a mere function-bearer . . .” (Ethics of Sex,
p. 24).

4. Pornography accepts as “normal,” and urges, forms
of sexual perversion contrary to the norms of sexual
conduct which the Creator God has established for
His creatures. Homosexual behavior, for instance, is
regarded as a “natural” form of human sexual activ-
ity, a practice condemned by the Scriptures as “un-
natural” and as a manifestation of the refusal to
acknowledge and honor the Creator (Rom. 1:24—27).
Such sexual deviancy receives first mention among
the social evils which “rend the fabric of society and
make an agony of the common life that should in
God’s intent have been a blessing to mankind” (M.
Franzmann, Romans, p. 43).

5. Pornography, in its crasser forms, has resorted to
open derision of the standards of sexual conduct to
which Christians commit themselves, and even
mockery of the cross of Christ itself. Those who ad-
vocate the removal of pornography from the public
sphere on the basis of common humanitarian values
have also become the objects of slanderous and ob-
scene commentary. Such repudiation of the good is
reminiscent of the Biblical predictions of the abuse
to be expected in the last days when men shall be
“lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” (2 Tim.
3:1-7).

6. Pornography and its habitual use poses a serious
threat to faith and the spiritual life (cf. Matt. 5:27-
30; Prov. 6:32). Pornography’s addictive character
threatens to produce the subservience to desires that
takes place in the life of one who permits sin to rule
(Rom. 6:12; cf. 1 Cor. 6:2).

In view of what the Scriptures say about sexual behav-
ior that honors both God and one’s neighbor, Christians
would do well to recognize the church’s important role in
providing instruction on questions of human sexuality.
They should be sensitized to the need for an effective wit-
ness to God’s will, also in the civil sphere where they may
choose to support efforts to curb the production and sale
of pornography (e.g., economic boycotts). Those responsible
for providing Christian instruction and counsel should be
equipped and urged to address the problem of pornography
by fostering positive, respectful attitudes toward the Cre-

ator’s good gift of human sexuality. Care must be exercised
to distinguish His intentions for the use of this aspect of
our creaturely existence from the distortions of it resultant
from the Fall. Christians should be especially sensitive to
the need for speaking the Gospel of forgiveness to those
overcome with guilt and in need of help to live responsible
Christian lives in the area of human sexuality. Only the
renewing power of the Holy Spirit who works through the
Word and Sacraments can change the heart “both to will
and to work for [God’s] good pleasure” (Phil. 2:13). The
church, therefore, ought to intensify its efforts to provide
materials and resources that will enable people to discover
the joys and blessings that come to individuals and families
when expressions of sexuality are in harmony with the
Creator’s design.

Action: Adopted as amended (12).

(Number 1 of the second resolve was added by common con-
sent.)

To Increase Percentage of Synodically
Trained Teachers in Lutheran Schools

RESOLUTION 2-09B
Overtures 2-47-49 (CW, p. 91)

Wuereas, The purpose of Lutheran schools and their
role in the congregations of The Lutheran Church—Mis-
souri Synod is being jeopardized by the decreasing per-
centage of synodically trained teachers in Lutheran school
classrooms (90% in 1970 and 68% in 1985); and

WHEREAS, This situation has become a serious problem
and will be difficult to reverse unless immediate steps are
taken to mobilize the resources of the Synod to bring about
a reversal; therefore be it

Resolved, That all Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
schools, preschool through college, be encouraged to em-
ploy only called teachers who are certified by The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod and, if unable to do so, to en-
courage hiring only teachers who hold membership in Lu-
theran Church—Missouri Synod congregations; and be it
further

Resolved, That congregations of the Synod be encour-
aged to use the proposed salary schedules developed by the
Board for Parish Services, which contain salary differen-
tiations that reward workers for special theological train-
ing; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod express and demonstrate its
appreciation to non-synodically trained teachers who have
served faithfully in Lutheran schools by making serious,
creative efforts that provide non-synodically-trained
teachers access to theological training that leads to teacher
colloquy; and be it further

Resolved, That our synodical colleges be encouraged to
coordinate colloquy programs with graduate programs,
thereby providing further incentive to candidates consid-
ering pursuit of the colloquy program; and be it further

Resolved, That our synodical colleges be encouraged to
expand the offerings of extension courses in geographical
locations where large numbers of non-synodically trained