LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 169

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 169

WueireAs, In the past the LCMS has rightly insisted upon dia-
logue re doctrine before fellowship with other Lutheran bodies and
just recently the ELCA through its President, the Rev. Dr. George
Anderson, has expressed the desire for such dialogue with the
LCMS; therefore be it :

Resolved, That we seek opportunities on various levels (local,
Tegional. and synodical) for dialogue to discover points of agree-
ment as well as differences as they exist and to confess similarities
where we can; and be it further

Resolved, That we initiate steps to establish a new formal forum
for dialogue and, where possible, cooperation between our respec-
tive Synods, perhaps similar to the function LCUSA performed in
the past.

St. Luke, Dix Hills, NY; Emanuel, Patchogue, NY

3-47

To Express Regret re ELCA Actions

WHEREAS, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) in 1997 formally declared altar and pulpit fellowship with
the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., the Reformed Church in
America, and the United Church of Christ, thereby claiming to
have reached a fundamental doctrinal consensus with churches of
the Reformed tradition; and

WHEREAS, The ELCA in 1997 formally accepted the Joint Dec-
laration on the Doctrine of Justification, thereby claiming to have
reached a consensus on the basic truths of the doctrine of justifica-
tion with the Roman Catholic Church; and

WHEREAS, These decisions have significant implications for
American Lutheranism and world Lutheranism; and

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
wishes to take seriously its confessional identity and its ecumenical
responsibilities by avoiding both unionism and isolationism; there-
fore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS express its deep regret that the ELCA
has taken these actions; and be it further

Resolved, That all members of the LCMS commit themselves
to engage in serious and extensive theological discussions with
members of the ELCA; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS commit itself to engage in serious
and extensive theological discussions with the ELCA and the
Lutheran World Federation; and be it further

Resolved, That the LCMS invite its partner churches throughout
the world to participate in these discussions; and be it finally

Resolved, That these discussions address theological issues, in-
cluding justification, the sacramental presence, the nature of
Lutheran identity, and the appropriate relationships with churches
of other theological traditions in the confusing and changing eccle-
Siastical landscape of today.

Faculty
Concordia Seminary
St. Louis, MO

3-48

To Declare That Absolute Truth Exists

WHEREAS, Many do not believe there is absolute truth:

1. Rev. Don Matzat writes in “Apologetics in a Postmodern
Age”: “For many, there is no such thing as absolute truth. Rather,
there are competing truths. The Christian Gospel is simply one
truth among many ‘truths.’”

2. Lael F. Arrington writes in World Proofing Your Kids: “A
recent Barna poll asked the following question: ‘Do you agree or
disagree with this statement: There is no such thing as absolute
truth. People can define truth in different ways and still be correct.’
The answer: 28 percent of the public strongly agree that there is no
such thing as absolute truth. Another 38 percent somewhat agreed,
meaning 66 percent of Americans do not believe in absolutes.

Among those who identified themselves as Evangelicals, 53 per-
cent agree that there is no such thing as absolute truth!” (George
Barna, What Americans Believe, pp. 83-85)

3. A 1994 survey commissioned by Josh McDowell and other
national leaders of youth ministry showed that 57 percent of church
youth are likely to approve the view that there are no such things as
absolute truth.

4. The pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, New Haven, noted in
his “Baal or God”: “The Christian Church today faces the greatest
crisis it has ever confronted. For centuries the Church has had to
defend various doctrines when they were denied. But today the
very foundation of the historic faith is under attack. It is no longer
a matter of one or another doctrine. Direct revelation and the very
concept of truth and doctrine are being rejected within the estab-
lished churches of our day. The very thought that God revealed
Himself or any truths to man in certain propositions recorded in
Holy Scripture is rejected. This all-out attack against historic Chris-
tianity is not limited to any one denomination or to any particular
country.”

5. Professor Kurt Marquart observed in his “The Crisis in Chris-
tendom”: “No longer is it this or that aspect of revelation which is
questioned, but all revelation, and the very idea of revelation. Not
this or that particular truth is rejected, but all truth and the very pos-
sibility of truth. Herein lies the intensive, vertical radicalism of the
current crisis”; and

WHEREAS, Christ says: “If you continue in my word, then are
you my disciples indeed, And you will know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free” (John 8:31-32); therefore be it

Resolved, That the 1998 convention of the LCMS declare that
absolute truth exists, the doctrines taught in Holy Scripture are ab-
solute truth, and any teaching which is contrary to the Bible is not
the truth.

Trinity, New Haven, MO; Washington Circuit, Missouri
District; Trinity, Denver, CO

3-49

To Provide Biblical Balance in Constitution’s Position
on Church Fellowship

WHEREAS, The Lord our God clearly encourages us to cherish
and extend to others His gift of Christian fellowship (John
17:20-21; Rom. 12:5; Heb. 10:24; Gal. 6:10; 1 John 1:3, 7) even as
He provides us with warnings against the dangers of improper fel-
lowship (Amos 3:3, Rom. 16:17-18; 2 Cor. 6:14); and

WHEREAS, The position of our Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod, as it is currently set forth in Art. VI 2 of the Constitution,
addresses the dangers of improper church fellowship, but does not
address the imperatives of Holy Scripture to cherish and pursue
true Christian fellowship; and

WHEREAS, There has been and continues to be considerable con-
cern expressed within the Synod over the issue of church fellow-
ship, which might well be moved toward resolution by the grace
of God with a biblically balanced policy statement in our Constitu-
tion’s Art. VI, “Conditions of Membership”; therefore be it

Resolved, That Art. VI of the synodical Constitution be
amended to read as follows:

PRESENT/PROPOSED WORDING
Article VI Conditions of Membership
1. Acceptance of the confessional basis of Article IL.
‘pen; Conunitment to maintain and extend God's
gift of true Christian unity and fellowship through:
a. Sen in 7 een o i i nea ene

: Outreach in love to separated Christian
brethren at open theological conferences, ecumenical programs
of prayer for Christian unity, cooperative work for social min-
istry, and the like.