LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 96

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96 THEOLOGICAL MATTERS

love from disseminating doctrinal opinions in such manner
and in such situations as will cause confusion and offense
in the church;

and

Wuereas, This overture states that “many contro-
verted theological positions . . . have now become a
closed issue for the seminar group,” thus suggesting that
the peer group process has been discontinued; and

Wuereas, This overture quotes one of the River For-
est professors as saying that “they [our colleagues in the
Theology Division] confessed that the content of the
papers was substantially reflective of classroom teach-
ing”; and

Wuereas, The content of these papers is not available
to the convention since, at this Stage, the papers have
not been released by the authors; and

Wuereas, This overture casts a shadow of doubt on
our brethren in the theology division at River Forest;
and

Wuereas, It is essential, on the one hand, that the
doctrine of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions
should be correctly taught in the classroom, and on the
other hand, that the theological reputation of our profes-
sors should not be unjustifiably questioned; and

Wuereas, Requiring that these papers be submitted
to the President and Vice-Presidents of the Synod and
the Council of Presidents would circumvent a prior re-
sponsibility of the Board of Control (synodical Hand-
book 6.39 a); therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overture
2-69; and be it further

Resolved, That this matter be referred to the River
Forest Board of Control for action in keeping with its
constitutional responsibilities.

Action: Adopted.

To Decline to Elect Board of Inquiry
or Lay Commission but to Seek
Better Solutions

RESOLUTION 2-33

Overtures 2-19 to 2-45 (CW, pp. 68—70); 2-103 U (URO,
p. 17)

WHEREAS, Investigatory committees such as are rec-
ommended in these overtures might create new prob-
lems and add to: rather than alleviate unrest in the
Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That we respectfully decline Overtures
2-19 to 2-45 and 2-103 U; and

Wuereas, These overtures suggest changes in our
present structure of doctrinal supervision; therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be asked to
investigate carefully the question of devising an im-
proved structure for expediting matters of doctrinal su-
pervision and that it report its findings to the next con-
vention; and

Wuereas, Our synodical and District officials need the
active, positive support of the entire Synod; and

WHEREAS, Some of our unrest stems from the fact that
the earnest, painstaking, and time-consuming efforts of
synodical and District officials toward clearing up prob-
lems in the area of doctrine and discipline are not ade-
quately communicated to our members; and

WHEREAS, Anonymous, irresponsible, and unwar-
ranted suggestions of infidelity on the part of officials
add to the state of unrest in the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That we compellingly exhort all members
to give active and positive support to synodical and Dis-
trict officials; and be it further

Resolved, That the Council of Presidents be urged to
search for ways and means to communicate more effec-
tively regarding the efforts they are making to clear up
problems in the area of doctrine and discipline; and be it
finally

Resolved, That writers and speakers be reminded of
the nature of anonymous, irresponsible, and unwar-
ranted suggestions of infidelity on the part of officials
and be herewith exhorted to avoid them.

Action: Adopted.

To Thank God for Teachers and Theologians

RESOLUTION 2-34
Wuereas, Godly and dedicated teachers and profes-
sors are at all times a gift of God in His mercy to the
church; therefore be it

Resolved, That we thank God for the teachers and
professors on the faculties of our seminaries and col-
leges; and be it further

Resolved, That we encourage them in their dedicated
labors, not alone in the classroom but also in their liter-
ary work and their lecturing and speaking at confer-
ences and other study groups, by the assurance of our
prayers and confidence.

Action: Adopted.

To Pledge Loyalty and Obedience
in Military Service and to Discourage
Selective Conscientious Objection

RESOLUTION 2-35
Overture 2-82 (CW, p. 80)

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations document on “Civil Obedience and Disobedi-
ence” offers guidance which is in harmony with Scrip-
ture and the Lutheran Confessions in all matters of con-
science relating to obedience to the government; and

Wuereas, This study warns clearly against the dan-
ger of subjectivity in making independent judgments re-
garding civil disobedience; and

Wuereas, The complexity of international relations
makes it extremely difficult to determine categorically
that one’s government is engaging in a war which is in
itself sinful and immoral; and