LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1967, Page 97

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THEOLOGICAL MATTERS 97

Wuereas, Selective conscientious objection to mili-
tary service tends to promote chaos and anarchy in time
of national emergency; therefore be it

Resolved, That we discourage selective conscientious
objection; and be it further

Resolved, That we pledge ourselves as Christian citi-
zens anew to loyalty and obedience to our government
also in this matter of military service; and

Wuereas, There could be exceptional cases in our
communion in which a Christian’s conscience might lead
him to refuse to bear arms; therefore be it

Resolved, That we minister to and counsel with a
member under our pastoral care who refuses to bear
arms for his country.

Action: Adopted.

(The following threefold amendment failed to carry:

1. to substitute for “subjectivity” in the second Resolved:
“an exaggerated individualism and anarchic spirit”;

2. to delete the fourth Whereas;

3. to change the first Resolved to read: “that we urge
those who would be conscientious objectors on a selec-
tive basis to proceed cautiously and only after careful
consideration and discussion with their fellow be-

lievers.”

Still another amendment that failed called for:

1. the deletion of the fourth Whereas, and

2. the following rewording of the final Resolved: “That
we counsel with and support a member under our pas-
toral care who refuses to bear arms for reasons of
conscience.”

To Refer “A Review of the Question
‘What Is a Doctrine?’” to 1969 Convention

RESOLUTION 2-36

Report 2-114 U (URO, p. 19)

Wuereas, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations has produced the document “A Review of the
Question ‘What Is a Doctrine?’” as a result of additional
study made at the request of the Detroit. convention;
therefore be it

Resolved, That the document “A Review of the
Question ‘What Is a Doctrine?’” be commended to the
Synod’s membership for study and discussion; and be it
further

Resolved, That the document “A Review of the
Question ‘What Is a Doctrine?’” be referred to the 1969
convention of the Synod for adoption.

Action: Adopted.

To Deal Decisively in Cases of Alleged
False Teaching
RESOLUTION 2-37
(Recommitted Resolution 2-25)
Overtures 2-17, 2-18, 2-46, 2-47, 2-49, 2-50 and 2-51, 2-93,
2-94 (CW, pp. 65—68, 70—73, 85), 2-95U to 2-101U
(URO, pp. 16—17)

Wuereas, A number of overtures reflect concern and
unrest due to alleged false teaching in the Synod; and

WHEREAS, These overtures ask that the Synod, synod-
ical officials, and District officials deal with alleged false
teaching in a manner that will satisfy concern; and

Whereas, Both misleading doctrinal statements and
irresponsible charges of error contribute to misunder-
standing and unrest in the church; therefore be it

Resolved, That in this situation of unrest the mem-
bers and officials of the Synod deal decisively in love
with both accusers and accused in all cases of alleged
false teaching; and be it further

Resolved, That pastors, teachers, professors, and lay-
men be reminded of the damage that results from mis-
leading doctrinal statements and irresponsible charges of
error and be exhorted herewith to avoid them; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the members and officials of the
Synod deal decisively in love with those who ignore this
exhortation, seeking to lead them to true repentance and
proclaiming the grace of forgiveness.

Action: Adopted.

To Declare Capital Punishment in Accord
with Scripture and Confessions
RESOLUTION 2-38

Overtures 2-111 U to 2-113 U (URO, p. 19)
WHEREAS, Various church bodies have condemned
capital punishment in recent years; and
Wuereas, God’s Word supports capital punishment
(Gen. 9:6; Lev. 24:17; Ex. 21:12; Num. 35:21; Deut.
19:11; Rom. 13:4; Acts 25:11); and
Wuereas, The Lutheran Confessions support capital
punishment:
Therefore neither God nor the government is included in
this commandment, yet their right to take human life is
not abrogated. God has delegated His authority of pun-
ishing evil-doers to civil magistrates in place of parents;
in early times, as we read in Moses, parents had to bring
their own children to judgment and sentence them to
death. Therefore what is forbidden here applies to private
individuals, not to governments. (Large Catechism I, 180
to 181 [Tappert, p. 389])
therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod declare that capital punishment is in accord with
the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.
Action: Adopted.

(A motion to refer this resolution to the Commission on
Social Action failed to carry.)

To Accept Report of Joint Commission
on the Theology and Practice.
of Confirmation
RESOLUTION 2-39
Report 2-01, Appendix C (CW, p.50)
Resolved, That the report of the Joint Commission on

the Theology and Practice of Confirmation be accepted
and the commission be encouraged to continue its work.

Action: Adopted.