Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1969 · 48th Convention › Page 544
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1969, Page 544

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

544

ber of which have been treated exegetically above,
and adds:

In the light of these texts all joint ecclesiastical efforts

for religious work (missionary, educational, etc.) and

particularly joint worship and mixed (promisctious)

Prayer among those who profess the truth and those

why deny any part of it, is sinful unionism.18

In this last definition of unionism particular stress
is laid on activities which do not assume church fel-
lowship, like Praying with Christians of another con-
fession. The last part of this definition of unionism
seemed to many to make impossible even the joint
prayer for the Holy Spirit's aid by Lutherans of dif-
fering synods when they met to seek to overcome
their differences. It was also thought to brand partici-
pation in prayer at mixed gatherings, civic and patriotic,
as sinful unionism.

2. Separatism

Like the term unionism, so also the term separatism,
is not a Biblical but an ecclesiastical word. Webster’s
Third New International Dictionary defines separatism
as “a disposition toward secession or schism,” and a
separatist as a “dissenter from an established church.”

While unionism is often and variously defined in the
writings of our synodical fathers, the term separatism
occurs much less frequently. Eckhardt gives the fol-
lowing definition of separation and of separatism:

Separation, eine Trennung auf schriftgemaesse Weise
wegen falscher Lehre, und Separatismus, eine Tren-
nung wider die Schrift aus allerlei andern Gruenden,17

It is evident that the concepts of unionism and
separatism are intimately related. Unionism is at-
tempted union when Separation is in order, and

separatism is separation when union is in order.

3. Unionism and Separatism: Twin Dangers
to the Church

Both unionism and separatism constitute serious
dangers to the church. Unionism ignores genuine dif-
ferences in doctrine, and treats them as though they
were unimportant. It tends to foster laxity in doctrine,
which, like the little leaven, will in time leaven the
Whole lump (Gal.5:9). On the other hand, separatism,
as already St. Augustine clearly stated, sing against
love and divides the church, just as surely as unionism
undermines it. The church must therefore, for its own
safety, shun both unionism and separatism.

C. SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR THE CHURCH
IN THE PRACTICE OF FELLOWSHIP

The task of avoiding unionism on the one hand and
separatism on the other while faithfully performing
the church's God-given tasks has proved difficult
throughout the ages, and will continue to prove diffi-
cult until her Lord’s return. Christians will at times
be puzzled in specific situations, particularly when they
are dealing with a church with which their own church
is not in pulpit and altar fellowship.

No statement, including this THEOLOGY oF FELLow-
SHIP, can give complete guidance for every possible

THEOLOGY OF FELLOWSHIP

case. However, the following guidlines appear Scrip-
turally

sound, and in harmony with the Lutheran

Confessions:

1.

ur

Our Synod should treasure the fellowship in the
Gospel and in the sacraments which it enjoys
with its sister churches and which it expresses
through what is usually called pulpit and altar
fellowship; and it should foster this fellowship
with all diligence.

. Our Synod should work zealously for the exten-

sion of this fellowship by engaging in doctrinal
discussions with other churches in the interest
of achieving such fellowship where this can be
done without compromising sound doctrine;

- Our Synod should understand that, in the case

of doctrinal discussions carried on with a view
to achieving doctrinal unity, Christians not only
may but should join in fervent prayer that God
would guide and bless the discussions, trusting
in Christ’s promise Matt. 18:19: “Again, I say unto
you, that if two of you shall agree on earth as
touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall
be done for them of My Father which is in
heaven.” ts

The opening prayer on such an occasion should
be suited to the specific situation. If all parties
meet in an atmosphere of mutual confidence there
will be no problem. In a tense or an uncertain
situation it may be suggested that the conference
use the great hymns and liturgical prayers of
the church. as was done at the Colloquy at
Ratisbon where representatives of the two sides
changed off opening the sessions with the “Veni
Creator Spiritus” (Come, Holy Spirit) and the
“Pater noster” (Our Father):!" and as did the
fathers of The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod, when at the Milwaukee Colloquy the local
pastor opened every session with a liturgical
service.“

- Our Synod should clearly recognize that, in the

case of necessary work on the local, national, or
international level, where the faith and confession
of the church are not compromised, and where
it appears essential that the churches of various
denominations should cooperate or at least not
work at cross purposes, our churches ought to
cooperate willingly to the extent that the Word of
God and conscience will allow.

. In the many cases which do not seem to fall

readily under the guidelines enunciated above
(e.g. prayers at all kinds of meetings), every
Christian should for his own person observe the
apostle’s injunction, “Let every one be fully
convinced in his own mind” Rom. 14:5; and his
warning, “He who doubts is condemned if he
eats, because he does not act from faith: for
whatever does not proceed from faith is sin"
(Rom. 14:23).