LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 232

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232

THEOLOGICAL DOCUMENTS­­—COMMISSION ON THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
CTCR
Statement on
on Luther’s
Luther’s Large
LargeCatechism
Catechism
CTCR Statement
with Annotations
Annotations and
with
and Contemporary
ContemporaryApplications
Applications

At its most recent meeting Feb. 16–18, 2023, the LCMS’s Commission on Theology and Church
Relations (CTCR) discussed the controversy that accompanied the publication of Luther’s Large
Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications, for which the Commission served
as editors, contributors and reviewers. The CTCR forthrightly asserts that this volume does not
change, question or supplant any doctrinal position of the LCMS, including any Synod teaching
on contemporary cultural issues such as race or sexuality. The CTCR furthermore categorically
rejects any assertions to the contrary. In feedback we have received as a Commission, it has
become clear that many misconceptions about the volume have surfaced on social media, and we
wish to offer this brief explanation to clarify what this volume is and what it is not.
First, the CTCR undertook the production of this volume at the behest of recent Synod
conventions. 2013 Synod Resolution 3-13A addressed the matter of catechesis, including a
resolve that a “catechetical compendium for adults” be prepared “which would be more
comprehensive and apologetic in scope” than Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation. The
2016 LCMS convention adopted Resolution 5-12 on the use of Luther’s catechisms. The
resolution tasked the CTCR, in concurrence with the Synod president and seminaries, to “explore
the creation of an annotated and expanded edition of the Large Catechism.” Consequently, the
resulting volume should be seen as a resource that was produced under the auspices of the
CTCR, in conjunction with the LCMS Office of the President.
Second, the text of the Large Catechism itself remains entirely unchanged in this volume, using
the English translation found in Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions—A Reader’s Edition of
the Book of Concord. It is the same text to which our Synod has always subscribed as part of our
unqualified commitment to the 16th-century Lutheran Confessions. This volume, however, has
two very different components, in accordance with the convention resolutions from 2013 and
2016. One component is the newly composed introductions and explanatory footnotes provided
with the text of Luther’s Large Catechism (similar in arrangement to The Lutheran Study Bible).
These introductions and notes were written by scholars of Luther and the Lutheran Confessions.
They are meant to help clarify the context and language of the catechism in its historical context.
The introductions and annotations are the centerpiece of this project and one of the most
extensive resources on this score provided in English. The other component is a series of
excursive essays. The essays are wide-ranging attempts to engage the sorts of contemporary
questions that often come up in relation to both of Luther’s catechisms, as well as more generally
in adult instruction and church life. By their nature, essays on contemporary questions touch on
challenging and complex social, cultural and political issues. As such, they represent individual
perspectives and judgments that some in the LCMS may not share.
Third, the selection of drafters for these excurses was not limited to LCMS authors but expanded
to other Lutherans who have a record of scholarship with the Large Catechism or experience
with many of these contemporary issues. We sought to have contributions from a variety of
individuals, including Lutherans from other church bodies to benefit from their expertise and/or
experience. Some of these writers are from church bodies not in fellowship with the LCMS.
Their contributions were painstakingly reviewed by the entire CTCR (and later by the Synod’s
doctrinal review process) to ensure that the doctrinal content in each essay is fully consistent
with LCMS teachings and practices. The decision was made to include the contributor’s name
for every piece in this volume (editors, annotators and essayists alike), unlike the typical custom
Rev. Dr. John Pless
Rev. Dr. Ely Prieto
Rev. Arlo Pullmann
Rev. Dr. William Schumacher
Rev. Dr. Scott Stiegemeyer
Rev. Dr. Roland Ziegler
Commission Staff
Rev. Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, executive director
Rev. Dr. Richard Serina, associate executive director
Rev. Dr. Larry Vogel, assistant to the executive director

2023 Convention Workbook

of the CTCR in publishing its materials with the Commission itself identified as the author,
rather than the principal drafters. The authors submitting these essays, for their part, did not view
their short papers as articulating or defending specific positions of the Synod but as helping to
explain some of the controversies that arise while teaching the catechisms or Lutheran doctrine
— indeed, arising in many cases from their own congregational and personal experiences as
pastors or laypeople.
Fourth, as noted earlier, the text of each introduction, annotation and excursive essay underwent
thorough review and subsequent approval by the CTCR, as well as Synod doctrinal review.
These reviews were undertaken to ensure that all material was in accord with Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions and the Constitution, bylaws and doctrinal statements of the Synod.
Numerous suggestions for improvement were offered during this process and were ultimately
addressed satisfactorily. That is not to say every reader will agree with each essay’s perspective
on specific social, cultural or political matters where Scripture, the Confessions or the Synod
may not have spoken. There is obviously room for debate on many such issues, as brothers and
sisters in Christ should be free to engage one another on matters of concern. They should be able
to do so with confidence that their voices will be heard, their engagement will be fruitful, and
their positions and objections measured by the rigorous standard of Scripture and the
Confessions upon which our doctrinal unity is based.
Last, while we acknowledge that certain things could have been worded differently, better or
more precisely (as is true of any publication, especially one of such massive size and scope), we
remain firmly supportive of this volume, its contents and its usefulness for our church body. It is
our express mandate and purpose as a Commission not to cause controversy, but to advise the
Synod on matters of doctrine and practice, to assist the Synod president in his constitutional
responsibilities, and to respond to the directives of our Synod in convention. We believe that we
have done so with this volume. As the Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, Synod president, said in
his Feb. 2, 2023, statement to the Synod: “Frankly, I think each reader will be astounded at the
content and quality of the volume.” We urge you to read it for yourselves and to make your own
judgments.
The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
Adopted unanimously—Feb. 17, 2023
Commission Members
Rev. Dr. Lawrence Rast, chairman (ex officio)
Rev. Dr. Brian Saunders, vice-chairman
Rev. Paul Gregory Alms
Mr. Kenneth Balsters
Rev. Dr. Joel Biermann
Rev. Robert Dargatz
Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger (ex officio)
Dr. Frederick Guengerich
Mr. Timothy Hardy
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (ex officio)
Dr. Jack Kilcrease
Rev. Peter Lange (ex officio)
Rev. Dr. Naomichi Masaki
Dr. Andrea Pitkus