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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2019, Page 98

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

in a new format. The theses themselves are included, together
with a PowerPoint presentation suitable for use in studying
them. These materials are accompanied by an essay also adopted by the Commission titled “Luther and the Doctrine of Justification.” This set of materials is also included in the Appendix
and is available for free download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

8. Unjustifiable Faiths—Bible Study (Leader and
Participant Guides) (2016 Res. 5-10)
At its September 2017 meeting, the CTCR also adopted a
third set of materials titled Unjustifiable Faiths. This study examines false or inadequate views of justification and the doctrine of salvation in the light of the Bible’s teaching. This study
is included in the Appendix and is available for free download at
http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

9. Subjective and Objective Justification, Justification and Evangelicalism, Ecumenical Discussions
on Justification—Bible Study (Leader and Participant Guides) (2016 Res. 5-10)
The Commission completed its work on justification in response to 2016 Res. 5-10 at its February 2018 meeting by adopting a three-part set of materials. The first part is a consideration
of the teachings of subjective and objective justification. (At
times in Synod’s recent history, there has been some controversy
over the matter of objective justification, that is, over the justification of the world that is accomplished and declared in Christ’s
saving work.) The second part of these materials compares the
biblical and confessional understanding of justification with
justification as it is commonly understood in American evangelical circles. Third, materials were prepared to aid in the evaluation and study of the ecumenical discussions on justification
between Lutherans and Roman Catholics that led to the publication of The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification.
(LCMS representatives did not sign the declaration, and the
Synod formally declared its disagreement with it in 1998 Res.
3-08A.) The three-part materials were adopted at the CTCR’s
February 2018 meeting and are included in the Appendix. They
are available for free download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

10. The Natural Knowledge of God in Christian
Life and Christian Witness—Bible Study and Discussion Guide (General Request)
In April 2013, the CTCR adopted a report titled The
Natural Knowledge of God in Christian Confession & Christian
Witness. After numerous compliments on the report and suggestions that study materials be provided to complement it, the
CTCR adopted a companion study at its February 2018 meeting. The materials are included in the Appendix and are available for free download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

11. Immigrants Among Us: A Lutheran Framework for Addressing Immigration Issues—Bible
Study (General Request)
The 2012 CTCR report Immigrants Among Us has been
well received and is highly regarded by many within and outside
the LCMS as a carefully reasoned, biblical, and practical guide
for Christians in thinking about the complex and often contentious matter of immigration. In adopting a Bible study based
2019 Convention Workbook

on the report at its September 2018 meeting, the CTCR is seeking to make the underlying doctrinal and biblical framework
and the document’s insights available to a wider audience. The
materials are included in the Appendix and are available for free
download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

12. The Royal Priesthood: Identity and Mission—Discussion Guide and Bible Study
At its November/December 2018 meeting, the CTCR reviewed and then adopted a Bible study and guide for discussion
designed to accompany its report The Royal Priesthood: Identity
and Mission. The discussion guide and Bible study are available
for free download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr and is published
here in the Appendix.

13. Confession and Absolution—Study Guide
(General Request)
At its February 2019 meeting, the CTCR reviewed and
then adopted a Bible study and discussion guide based on its report Confession and Absolution. The study and discussion materials are available for free download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

14. “An Inexpressible Treasure”: The Theology
and Practice of Holy Baptism—Study Guide (General Request)
Also at its February 2019 meeting, the CTCR reviewed and
adopted a Bible study and discussion guide to accompany its
recently published report on the theology and practice of Baptism, “An Inexpressible Treasure.” This guide is available for free
download at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.

D. Work in Progress
1. Guidelines for Inter-Christian Relationships (1981 Res. 3-03A) and To Study Article VI of
Synod’s Constitution (2010 Res. 8-30B)
Since 1981, the CTCR has completed a number of documents relating to the subject of inter-church relationships, some
in specific response to 1981 Res. 3-03A and subsequent resolutions related to it. These include: Inter-Christian Relationships:
An Instrument for Study (1992), The Lutheran Understanding of
Church Fellowship: Study Materials (2000), The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship: Report on Synodical Discussions (2001), Church Relations in the 21st Century (2009), Principles for “Cooperation in Externals” with Theological Integrity
(2010), Theological Dialogue with Other Christian Church Bodies (2011), and Policy for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Declaring Altar and Pulpit Fellowship with Another Church Body
(2009, rev. 2014, see above, I. A. 4). The materials are all available on the CTCR’s website at http://www.lcms.org/ctcr.
The Synod’s request for “practical guidelines . . . to assist officials, pastors, teachers, congregations, and individuals
in the Synod in determining which practices and activities are
appropriate to the various levels of inter-Lutheran and interChristian relationships in which the Synod is involved” (1981
Res. 3-03A) remains permanently on the Commission’s agenda
as a standing assignment. The CTCR continues to provide such
guidance as needed and requested (cf., e.g., 2010 Res. 8-30B, discussed below).