LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1977, Page 133

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RESOLUTIONS 133

text in effect renders the Bible useless as the absolute
and final authority for all the church does and teaches
in God’s name; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod reject and repudiate as
opposed to sound Lutheran theology and injurious to
the Gospel any view of the Bible and method of
interpreting it which relates history to the production of
the sacred writings in such a way as to diminish their
“not of this world” character and to deprive them of
their divine authority; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reassure its members that
the Synod still adheres faithfully to its historic position
that the Scriptures are God’s very own inspired,
inerrant, and authoritative Word for all matters of
doctrine and practice; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod call upon its responsible
officers to implement evangelically the provisions of
the Synod’s Constitution and Bylaws, which were
intended to assure that in all institutions under the
Synod’s control this position will be upheld and
preserved; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod beseech the pastors,
teachers, and congregations of the Synod, by the
mercies of God, to continue to uphold the Synod’s
position.

Action: Adopted (12).

To Encourage CTCR to Complete
Its Report on Communion Practices

RESOLUTION 3-12

Overtures 3-52—3-53B, 3-55—3-56C, 3-58—3-
59C (CW, pp. 85—87)

WHEREAS, Good order and reasonable uniformity of
practice are important factors in life together as
members of the Synod; and

WHEREAS, Considerable disparity in Communion
practices has developed in the Synod in recent years,
especially regarding the practice of open and close
Communion; and

WHEREAS, Increasing confusion seems to exist
regarding the matter of celebrating Holy Communion
as part of the worship practices on the campuses of the
Synod; and

WHEREAS, 1971 Res. 2-13 instructed the President of
the Synod to appoint a special committee composed of
members of the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations and the Commission on Worship to make a
comprehensive study of Communion practices and
policies in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and
to report through the CTCR to the next convention; and

WHEREAS This special committee has completed its
report, which, however, has not yet been approved by
the CTCR for distribution in the Synod; and -

WHEREAS, Many of the members of this special
committee are no longer associated with the CTCR and
the Commission on Worship; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Special Communion Practices

Committee be released with thanks for their work; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod request the CTCR,
following consultation with the Commission on
Worship, to complete the Communion Practices Report
as soon as possible, giving special attention to the
matters of Communion practices on synodical cam-
puses and open and close Communion; and be it further

Resolved, That in the meantime the Synod request
the Boards of Control of the Synod’s colleges and
seminaries to make adequate provision for the sharing
of the means of grace in the campus communities in
such ways that the Synod’s position on the Sacrament
of the Altar, the central importance of the local
congregation, and good order are not set aside; and be it
finally

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm its position “that
pastors and congregations of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod, except in situations of emergency and
in special cases of pastoral care, commune individuals
of only those Lutheran Synods which are now in
fellowship with us.” (1967 Res. 2-19)

Action: Adopted (12).

To Warn Against Transcendental
Meditation/Science of Creative
Intelligence

RESOLUTION 3-13A
Overtures 3-75—3-80, 3-82—3-83B, 3-88, 3-179

WHEREAS, The Commission on Organizations has
rendered valuable and commendable service to the
Synod and continues to respond to numerous requests
for counsel and information; and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Organizations has
prepared a paper on Transcendental
Meditation/Science of Creative Intelligence; and

WHEREAS, This commission has determined that the
TM/SCI movement is a non-Christian eastern religious
movement; and

WHEREAS, The TM/SCI claims to be a nonreligious,
scientific organization and seeks to permeate all areas
of society, ie., educational systems, business, and
government; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Organizations
be authorized to send a copy of this paper on TM/SCI to
all pastors, teachers, congregations, schools, and
officials of the Synod and to civil authorities that may
be affected by this movement; and be it further

Resolved, That we warn the members of the Synod
against the religious exercises of this eastern cult.

Action: Adopted (12).
To Appoint a Doctrinal Committee
of LCMS for Canada

RESOLUTION 3-14

Report 3-01, II, 3 (CW, pp. 42—43); Overtures 3-
191—3-192 (CW, p. 123)