Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 2023 · 68th Convention, Milwaukee › Page 305
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 305

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

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
with the office of the President and both seminary faculties,
“explore the creation of an annotated and expanded edition of the
Large Catechism for widespread use and study in the Church; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR completed this assignment and in January
2023 published through CPH a volume of over 700 pages that
included 70 contributors and extensive introductions and
annotations to the text of the Large Catechism, accompanied by
over 70 essays dedicated to addressing contemporary questions
related to the Large Catechism; and
WHEREAS, The volume not only underwent review by the CTCR,
but was certified by the doctrinal review process, while the
President of Synod helped oversee the project and included his
endorsement by way of an introduction praising the volume; and
WHEREAS, Upon release, the volume received intense critique
and opposition on the basis of social media attacks and online
commentary, leading the President of Synod and CPH to agree to
pause sales of the volume; and
WHEREAS, Many contributors to this volume were harassed
privately and publicly for their participation in this project; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR was publicly criticized for falsely
promoting wokeness, Critical Race Theory, the ordination of
women, among others; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention express its thanks for the
publication of this work by the CTCR and CPH; and be it further
Resolved, That the harsh and baseless attacks against this
volume, the CTCR, and CPH be condemned as contrary to Paul’s
command that “all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and
slander be put away from you” (Eph. 4:31); and be it further
Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the Synod use
this resource for study and discussion, communicating to the CTCR
and CPH what it finds most helpful; and be it finally
Resolved, That members of the Synod express any suggestions
for improvement to the CTCR and to the office of the President, and
that those suggestions be taken into consideration.
Emmanuel, Fort Wayne, IN; Prince of Peace, Anaheim, CA;
Circuit 9 (Decatur), Indiana District
Ov. 5-31

To Commend Luther’s Large Catechism with
Annotations and Contemporary Applications
WHEREAS, 2013 Resolution 3-13A asked the Commission
on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), in collaboration
with the Office of the President and Concordia Publishing
House (CPH), to produce a catechetical compendium that
would be “more comprehensive and apologetic in scope”; and
WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 5-12 requested that the CTCR, in
collaboration with the Office of the President and both
seminary faculties, “explore the creation of an annotated and
expanded edition of the Large Catechism for widespread use
and study in the church”; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR completed this assignment, and in
January 2023, published through CPH a volume of over 700
pages that included 70 contributors and extensive introductions
and annotations to the text of the Large Catechism,
accompanied by over 70 essays dedicated to addressing
contemporary questions related to the Large Catechism; and

305

WHEREAS, The volume not only underwent review by the
CTCR, but was certified by the doctrinal review process,
while the President of Synod helped oversee the project and
included his endorsement by way of an introduction praising
the volume; and
WHEREAS, Upon release, the volume received intense
criticism and opposition on the basis of social media attacks
and online commentary; and
WHEREAS, Many contributors to this volume were
vitriolically harassed privately and publicly for their
participation in this project; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR was accused of promoting false
teaching; therefore be it
Resolved, That that the Synod in convention express its thanks
for the publication of this work by the CTCR and CPH; and be it
further
Resolved, That the harsh and baseless attacks against this
volume, the CTCR, and CPH be condemned as contrary to
Paul’s command that “all bitterness and wrath and anger and
clamor and slander be put away from you” (Eph. 4:31); and be
it further
Resolved, That the pastors, commissioned ministers, teachers,
students, congregations, and schools of Synod be encouraged to
use this resource for study and discussion, communicating to
the CTCR and CPH what they find most helpful; and be it
finally
Resolved, That members of Synod express any suggestions
for improvement to the CTCR and to the office of the President
in a spirit of Christian brotherhood and love with the aim of
concord of theology and witness, and that such suggestions be
taken into consideration.
Circuit 2 (St. Paul Metro)
Minnesota South District
Ov. 5-32

To Cease and Desist Publication of
Luther’s Large Catechism
with Annotations and Contemporary Applications
WHEREAS, Our Lord Jesus says, “Watch and beware of the
leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matt. 16:6) and St. Paul
says, “A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Gal. 5:9); and
WHEREAS, St. Paul warns us, “Watch out for those who cause
divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have
been taught; avoid them” (Rom. 16:17) and encourages men in the
Office of the Ministry to “hold firm to the trustworthy word as
taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine
and also rebuke those who contradict it” (Titus 1:9); and
WHEREAS, It is fully in accordance with our Lutheran Symbols
to demand an unconditional subscription by the teachers of our
Church of those Symbols, because the Symbols themselves declare,
“We have mentioned only those things we thought it was necessary
to talk about so that it would be understood that in doctrine and
ceremonies we have received nothing contrary to Scripture or the
Church universal. It is clear that we have been very careful to make
sure no new ungodly doctrine creeps into our churches” (Augsburg
Confession Conclusion 5); and

2023 Convention Workbook