LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1998, Page 191

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 191

WHEREAS, There are serious doctrinal divisions between Luther-
ans today throughout the world; and

WHEREAS, The authors of the 16th-century Formula knew little
about evolution, destructive higher criticism of the Bible, the New
Age Movement, feminism, the modern charismatic movement with
its holy laughter, modern cults, etc.; and

WuereEas, When new heresies, antiscriptural doctrines and
movements arise, the church which intends to remain orthodox and
speak to the issues of the day will have to set forth its position in
clear and unequivocal statements which affirm the ancient truths
of historic Christianity and reject the current false doctrines, and

WuereaS, A comprehensive document of confessional rank is
now needed to apply the truth of the Scriptures and ancient creeds
of Christendom to the errors of our day in order to bring an end to
the scandalous divisions among us and provide an international
basis and rally point for fellowship among true Lutherans and
Christians everywhere; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod show
its commitment to end the controversy that threatens to tear it apart
by taking appropriate steps to join with confessional Lutherans at
home and abroad to produce a “21 st-century Formula of Concord”
that will deal precisely, in thesis and antithesis, with the errors of
our time and will establish the truth in accordance with the Holy
Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That the 1998 convention of the LCMS ask the Pres-
ident and Vice-Presidents of the LCMS to appoint a committee of
orthodox theologians to prepare a “2]st-century Formula of Con-
cord” by the year 2000 in order that it might be sent to all congre-
gations of the LCMS for study and final approval at the next con-
vention of the LCMS; and be it finally

Resolved, That this “21 st-century Formula of Concord” be sub-
mitted to theologians, churches, individuals all over the world for
their suggestions, signatures, and adogtion (see Convention Work-
book, LCMS, 1975, pp. 103-4).

Trinity. New Haven, MO; Immanuel, Clovis, NM;
Washington Circuit, Missouri District; Trinity, Denver, CO

3-127

To Encourage Confessional Study Groups

WHEREAS, The apostle Paul commended the Bereans on account
of the fact that “they received the Word with all eagerness” and be-
cause they were, “examining the Scriptures daily”; and

WHEREAS, It is axiomatic for Lutherans and especially for
Lutheran pastors that individual and group study of the Scriptures
is desirable; and

WHEREAS, The study of the Lutheran Confessions, which are
drawn from and express the truths of that Scripture, is also desir-
able on an individual and group basis; and

WHEREAS, The synodical Handbook recognizes the above by
encouraging the formation of study groups as it states in Bylaw
5.67 b and c: “Ordained and commissioned ministers are also en-
couraged to organize smaller conferences in addition to their offi-
cial conferences” and “‘intersynodical conferences for the study of
theology are desirable and are encouraged on a regular basis”; and

WHEREAS, The word confessional is a good word, used in a fa-
vorable way by our Lord Jesus in Scripture and it is a professed
word in the Lutheran Confessions to present the concept of pure
public teaching of and belief in the Word of God; and

WHEREAS, One of synodical President A. L. Barry's “Five Vi-
sions for Missouri” (which were adopted at the 1995 synodical con-
vention) is that she be and remain a truly confessional church;
therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod in con-
vention assembled encourages its pastors to form groups for the
study of Scripture and the Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That District and synodical officials assist in, and do
not oppose, the formation of such study groups, and this shall in-
clude, but not be limited to publishing meeting announcements in

the District publications and The Lutheran Witness; and be it fi-
nally

Resolved, That these study groups be allowed and encouraged
to include the word confessional in their names.

Grace
Paris, TX

3-128

To Differentiate between Doctrines and Traditions

Wuereas, Our Lord Jesus once characterized the Pharisees as
self-righteous (Luke 19:9), He more frequently faulted them for
confusing their traditions with biblical doctrines, with the result
that “Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat” (Matt. 23:2); and

WuereaS, The Roman Church similarly confused its traditions
with the expressed will of God and then actually identified the two;
and

Wuereas, God blessed Philip Melanchthon with such a sharp
discernment between the two that he was able to write a political
document (Augsburg Confession) which was so discriminating that
we Lutherans were able to adopt it as our basic doctrinal statement;
and

WuereaS, Even some of our pastors sometimes become con-
fused about pure doctrine and well-established customs; and

Whereas, Such confusion sometimes leads to a self-righteous
attitude toward those who do not share our traditions, as though
this made avoidance of other Christians a doctrinal issue; and

WHEREAS, The ability to discriminate between doctrine and tra-
dition is not a widespread spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:10), yet the
obligation to make such distinctions is laid on us all (1 John 4:1;
Eph. 5:10; 1 Thess. 5:21; Heb. 5:14); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church Re-
lations undertake a study of which statements in the Augsburg Con-
fession were made by Dr. Melanchthon de jure divino and which
were made de jure humano; and be it further

Resolved, That when this study is completed the CTCR begin a
study of other Lutheran traditions to determine which of them are
required by God’s Word and which are merely convenient or sim-
ply make our “walking together” in Synod more comfortable.

Christ
Pleasanton, CA

3-129

To Emphasize Synod’s Evangelical Advisory Relation
to Its Members re Ratification
of Doctrinal Resolutions

Rationale

Synod’s Constitution (Art. VII) states, “In its relation to its
members the Synod is not an ecclesiastical government exercising
legislative or coercive powers, and with respect to the individual
congregation’s right of self-government it is but an advisory body.”

The language of Synod’s Bylaws (3.101 and 3.103) can be
made to contradict its constitutional intent (advisory), when as-
signing executive function with supervisory power over rather than
counsel and advice to those under its supervision. Executive super-
vision (4.73) can take on an ecclesiastical air that repudiates advi-
sory status. Constitutionally, authority is vested in the Synod, not in
its officials (Art. II): “The Synod, under Scripture and the Lutheran
Confessions, shall provide evangelical supervision, counsel, and
care for the pastors, teachers, and other professional church work-
ers of the Synod in the performance of their official duties”; and
“provide protection for congregations, pastors, teachers, and other
church workers in the performance of their official duties and the
maintenance of their rights.” Clearly, Synod’s constitutional pur-
pose is to serve the risen Christ among its members, not to control
them.