LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 122

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122 RESOLUTIONS

Resolved, That the Synod repudiate the use of the
Historical Critical Method, or any other method which
operates with the same presuppositions and procedures,
and so direct that it not be employed at its colleges and
seminaries in the task of interpreting the Scriptures;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod beseech its pastors, teach-
ers, and congregations to exercise great care and vigi-
lance in carrying out their responsibilities in the area of
Biblical interpretation and instruction, to the end that
throughout our Synod only such principles of Biblical
interpretation shall be employed as are in harmony with
historic Lutheran doctrine regarding the authority of
the canonical text, the inspiration and the unity of
Scripture, and the principle of Sola Scriptura.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.

To Continue Evaluation of the Synod’s
Membership and Participation in LCUSA

RESOLUTION 2-39

Overtures 2-04, 2-05, 2-115A through 2-121 (CW, pp. 47
—48, 80—82)

The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod joined
LCUSA as a result of convention action in 1965 (Resolu-
tion 3-12, 1965 Proceedings, p.110) with the intention
of establishing a forum enabling Lutheran church
bodies, “to seek to achieve theological consensus in a
systematic and continuing way on the basis of Scrip-
tures and the witness of the Lutheran Confessions”
(LCUSA Constitution, Article IV) and also to become
an agency through which the Synod might carry out
joint Lutheran activities consistent with our fellowship
principles. Inter-Lutheran participation within the
structured agency of LCUSA has received both com-
mendation and criticism. Resolution 3-18 of the 1971
synodical convention (1971 Proceedings, pp. 133—134)
directed the President of the Synod “to petition the
proper persons or boards of LCUSA to institute an in-
dependent and objective study of all its operations,”
particularly the need for the various divisions of
LCUSA, the policies, fiscal programs and procedures.
The Board of Directors has reported on the results of
this study to date (CW, p. 47 £.). The Milwaukee resolu-
tion also made the President of the Synod “responsible
for study and evaluation of the Division of Theological
Studies of LCUSA ... to determine the extent to which
Synod’s participation in LCUSA is achieving or hin-
dering the promotion of unity in doctrine and practice;
and that the findings and recommendations be reported
to the Council of Presidents and to the next convention
of the Synod.” This study has not been completed.
Resolution 3-18 of the 1971 synodical convention also
authorized the Board of Directors “to determine on the
basis of need, the program and services of which the
Synod should avail itself and for which it will allocate
funds.”

Wuereas, The cost of the Synod’s partcipation in
LCUSA (which was $742,000 in the 1972—73 fiscal year)
has been the cause of considerable concern within the
Synod; and

Wuereas, The Synod’s Board of Directors is of the
opinion “that at the present moment in history the
Synod may well regard its participation in LCUSA as
primarily an investment in inter-Lutheran relation-
ships” (CW, p. 48); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod continue membership in LCUSA on a selected
program basis in an effort to achieve its original objec-
tives of membership; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod request the Council to in-
tensify its efforts to “seek to achieve theological con-
sensus in a systematic and continuing way on the basis
of Scripture and the witness of the Lutheran Confes-
sions”; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Directors and
through them all boards and commissions be directed
to keep the programs and activities in the Council under
continuing scrutiny in order to determine those pro-
grams in which the Synod should participate, basing
their judgment on such criteria as the effect on the
Synod’s doctrinal position, compatability with the
Synod’s fellowship principles, economic feasibility, and
contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the
Council; and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical Board of Directors,
after consultation with the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, attempt to effect a substantial reduc-
tion in the cost of the Synod’s involvement in the Coun-
cil by withdrawing from any activities, departments,
offices, or divisions of the Council (with the exception
of the Division of Theological Studies) where this is
deemed advisable on the basis of the above criteria; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the study of the Lutheran Council
requested in 1971 Resolution 3-18 be completed at a
very early date, and that the findings be reported to the
Synod prior to the 1975 synodical convention.

Action: None. Referred under omnibus Res. 4-47 to
the Board of Directors.
(After an amendment to delete the fourth resolved had

been defeated in the final session, a motion was made, sec-
onded, and carried to adjourn.)

To Declare the Synod’s Fellowship
with the ALC to be in a “State of Suspension”

RESOLUTION 2-40

Report 2-01, II, 16, 2-06 and Appendix; Overtures 2-122A
through 2-143, 2-171 (CW, pp. 34 f, 48—50, 82—89)

The Denver convention of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod, by a majority vote of its delegates, re-
solved to establish “pulpit and altar fellowship” with the
American Lutheran Church (ALC). (Resolution 3-15,
Proceedings, pp. 96—98).