LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 119

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
review process to continue to be sensitive to the necessary
distinction between ethnic nuances and universally applicable truth; be it further
Resolved, That those involved in the doctrinal review
process take care to be faithful to the Scriptures and the
Lutheran Confessions.
Action: Adopted (10)

To Request President to Work Toward
Renewing Discussion with RIM
and to Bring to Conclusion
RESOLUTION 3-12A
Overtures 3-95–99, 7-98–99 (CW, pp. 182–83, 269–70)
WHEREAS, Representatives of The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod have been engaged in theological discussions with leaders of Renewal in Missouri (RIM) since its
inception in the late 1980s; and
WHEREAS, The most recent round of these discussions in
1990–92 resulted in “some progress in the resolution of differences between the position of the Synod regarding
‘charismatic’ teaching and positions of RIM” (1992 CW, p.
11); and
WHEREAS, Disagreements still remain between the position of the Synod and the position of RIM in at least the following areas:
1. The interpretation of SA III viii, 3-13 (Tappert pp.
312–13) and its application to 1977 Res. 3-10A, point 8
2. The relationship between the means of grace, prayer,
and charismata
3. Does the context of promises made by Jesus Christ to
His church include the charismata?
4. The Word- and faith-confirming function of manifestations of the Spirit
5. How to discern the authenticity of spiritual gifts (1992
CW, p. 12); and
WHEREAS, The President of the Synod has attempted
during this past triennium to arrange for a continuation of
these discussions in order to resolve their remaining differences but without success; therefore be it
Resolved, That we give thanks to God that some
progress has been made in resolving the differences between the position of the Synod and of RIM; and be it further
Resolved, That we commend the President of the Synod
for his efforts in seeking to have these discussions between
members of the Synod continue; and be it further
Resolved, That the members of the Synod join in asking
God for His blessings on these continuing discussions; and
be it finally
Resolved, That the President of the Synod report to the
next convention of the Synod regarding the results of these
continuing discussions and bring a recommendation so that
a God-pleasing conclusion may be brought to this matter.
Action: Adopted (9)
(During discussion an amendment stating, Resolved, That if
Dr. Ted Jungkuntz’s candidate status is not restored by the time
that these discussions resume, that he be permitted to be an “unofficial” observer and advisor to the RIM team, with RIM picking
up his expenses was declined as was an amendment to add the

119

words and the Director of RIM have after the word Synod in the
fourth whereas.)

To Recognize Sanctity of Life Efforts
RESOLUTION 3-13A
Report R1-8 (CW, p. 186); Overture 3-113 (CW, pp.
3–4)
WHEREAS, The President’s Commission on the Sanctity
of Life has produced the document “That They May Have
Life,” in which is stated: “Human life is not an achievement. It is an endowment. It has measureless value, because every individual, at every state of development and
every state of consciousness, is known and loved by God.
This is the source of human dignity and the basis for
human equality. It must therefore be asserted without exception or qualification: no one is worthless whom God has
created and for whom Christ died”; and
WHEREAS, The commission has also produced the document “Real and Abundant Life,” in which is stated, “In
much of today’s culture what so many call ‘really living’ is
often marked by carelessness and irresponsibility at the expense of other human lives. It reduces human beings to insignificance. Such lives are emptied of meaning and often
end in despair. The defeat of death by Christ’s resurrection,
however, means that those who are joined to Christ now
live before God in innocence and holiness. This real life is
filled with the good gifts of the Creator. His fatherly blessing attends them as it did Adam and Eve before the Fall.
The Holy Spirit comforts and sustains them”; therefore be
it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention commend for
churchwide study the President’s Commission on the Sanctity of Life documents “That They May Have Life” and
“Real and Abundant Life”; and be it further
Resolved, That all congregations and church workers be
strongly encouraged to regularly support and promote all
efforts to uphold and underscore Christian concern for the
sanctity of life; and be it finally
Resolved, That our President, Dr. A. L. Barry, be commended for the leadership he is providing our Synod in affirming the sanctity of life.
Action: Adopted (9)

To Affirm Life and Oppose
Abortion on Demand
RESOLUTION 3-14
Overtures 3-114, 3-116–17 (CW, pp. 186–87)
WHEREAS, God our heavenly Father is the Author and
Creator of all life (Gen. 1 and John 1:1–3); and
WHEREAS, Many unborn children, whom God has woven
together in their mothers’ wombs (Ps. 139:13–16) are being
slain through abortion on demand, including through the
inhumane partial-birth abortion procedure; and
WHEREAS, The developing field of fetal tissue research
may create new pressures and incentives for abortion on
demand or even harvesting fetal tissue for use in research
in developing technologies; and