LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1971, Page 76

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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IIE /-—

76 THE CONVENTION ESSAY

preached to you, let him be accursed,’ ” 24 Overarching priority of the church. The Point is made

There are those in the world who cannot understand that God created the world to be good and that the
why our Synod is so concerned about preserving the church should marshal its resources to contro] and
correct view of the Holy Scriptures, why we are so reshape the environment as well as our political and

insistent that Correct methods of interpretation be ap- economic structures so that man may find fulfillment
plied to the Bible. We are wrestling with many prob- and satisfaction in everyday living.

lems related to the Holy Scriptures, their essence, their In some instances this line of thinking leads to a
integrity, their authority, their Proper interpretation, concept of a secular salvation. One hears little or no
Yet many do not understand what is at Stake. Some talk of a life to come of heaven and hell One hears
even lampoon and ridicule ou concern little or no mention of reconciliation of man with God

Holy Scriptures is not to place the Bible above Christ; [A promotional sheet of one denomination clearly
it is not to make of it, as some Say, a “paper pope.” expresses this concept. It states: “The Ministry of

doctrine and the correct approach to Holy Scriptures members for the church. Jt requires us to open the

Is to be realistic in heeding the warnings God Himself ay for God to make @ people that He wil] To say
has given. Pay] said in our very letter that he refused it another way, it requires us to work for conditions
to practice cunning or tamper with God’s Word” (2 Cor. in our world that fitee men and women to attain the

4:2). Peter wrote of those who “stumble because they utmost of themselves as Persons. We do not presume
disobey the Word” (1 Peter 2:8). And John, the apostle to determine what kind of persons they will be.” 25
of love, gave the warning: “Beloved, do not believe

every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are reconciliation with God, does not appear to be high on
of God, for many false prophets have 80ne out into the

the agenda of this church’s business, ]
world.” (1 John 4:1)

‘ . ; : Many seem to think that the new birth, the new
Yes, our Synod is particular about its view of Holy creation, that Payl talks about, is not an important item.

Scripture so that it may be faithful to what the Scrip- According to their viewpoint, the reconstruction of
tures teach, Thereby it guards, under the Spirit’s power scciety is the important thing. It appears they believe

that if the environment is improved, people will behave
justification and reconciliation by faith in Jesus Christ. better. The basic power of sin over the hearts of men

is not recognized as the root of the world’s alienation.

IV theology is action. The proponents of socia] revolution

The Priorities We Observe

(Sections in brackets were omitted in the reading because the side of revolutionary violence in order to achieve
of time considerations.) 4 restructuring of the political and economic establish.
The role of the Christian church is a controversial] ment. Some speak of “Christian Marxism” as the best
topic in our world. The great issues of racism, repres- solution to society’s ills.
sion, poverty, war, and ecology properly bulk large in How do we evaluate these ideas and the many