LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 13

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SYNODICAL REPORTS 13

sion. Here is what I said to the Synod, almost two years ago, in my
memo of Feb. 11, 2002:

Some from among both those who agree and those who disagree
with Dr. Benke’s Yankee Stadium participation have expressed the
view that his prayer was lacking in clarity and did not provide as
clear a witness to the Gospel as it might have. I have spoken with
Dr. Benke about this matter. It should be noted that he has expressed
his own agreement with the view that his prayer could and should
have been more complete in its expression of faith in Jesus Christ as
the only way to salvation. In his response to the charges against him
he has admitted this deficiency and has asked for the Synod’s for-
giveness.

Here are the exact words of Dr. Benke himself, originally posted on
Jan. 4, 2002, online and in print since that date, and referenced in my
memo to the Synod almost two years ago:

I made a pledge very early on to take seriously those who dif-
fered with me. So in the area of specific wording, to whoever has
had problems and criticisms, | am sorry that I didn’t get the words
out more clearly or accurately or completely. Although it was never
intentional, | know that my words have offended some in my de-
nomination, and for that offense I apologize, sincerely, and ask for
forgiveness.

David H. Benke
; ; January 4, 2002
In my memo of Feb. 11, 2002, I went on to say:

“We in our Synod clearly confess that Jesus Christ is the only way
to salvation.

We are not saying that only LCMS Lutherans will be in heaven. We
do confess the Scriptural teaching that only those who trust in Jesus
Christ as their Savior are assured of eternal life. On this the Scripture is
clear: .

* Jesus said: “/ am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes
to the Father except through Me” (John 6:14).

* Peter confessed the name of Jesus saying, “There is salvation
in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given
among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

* John states the same confession in very clear terms, “This is
the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in
His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who has not the Son
of God has not life” (1 John 5:1 1-12).

“On the basis of these and other passages of Scripture, we are clear
and correct in holding that the beliefs of Islam, Hinduism, etc., are false.
While we believe that the eternal destiny of each individual person is in
the hands of our almighty God, we nevertheless believe that Scripture
states that those who do not believe in Jesus Christ as Savior will not
spend eternity with Him in heaven. Therefore, we are called to proclaim
Christ to all.”

The memo continues:

“There is one God. He is not the god of the Muslims, but the one
God who reveals Himself as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is also
why every baptized believer in Jesus is called to bear witness to Jesus
Christ and the fact that there is salvation in no one else. We want as
many people as possible to know Him and to have life in Him. “For this
is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all
men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy
2:3-4). The truth is that Scripture reveals no other way to eternal life
than through faith in Jesus.

“In summary, we in the LCMS believe that:
¢ There is only one true God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
¢ The Scriptures clearly teach that there is forgiveness, life, and sal-
vation solely through faith in Jesus Christ, the only Savior of the
world.

* Christians can therefore never pray to or worship another god

under any circumstances, at any event.”

Those are the two points [ want to share with you in this memo. I
trust they will be received in the same spirit of love, care, and concem
for our Synod with which they have been written. Ultimately, I myself
bear full responsibility for the counsel and advice I give to District Pres-
idents in the conduct of their office, in accord with my constitutional

duty to supervise the doctrine and administration of all District Presi-

dents.

There is one more matter that needs to be addressed. Communi-
cations already have been and undoubtedly will continue to be sent
to members and congregations of the Synod, particularly in these
months just prior to our synodical convention July 10-15. In one for-
mat or another, these communications will offer differing perspec-
tives on this and many other issues. Voting delegates to the conven-
tion have in the past been deluged with such communications.

With no intention of questioning the motivation of such com-
munications or those responsible for sending them, I encourage
you, dear friends in Christ, to consider all matters of concern and

‘difference among us prayerfully and to treat those who hold posi-

tions different from your own with the highest degree of integrity,
respect, and Christian charity.

Like any leader of a group of people, especially a large group of
people, I, too, am called upon to make many decisions, some of
which affect only a few, most of which affect and are scrutinized
by many. As those who know me personally will testify, I lay no
claims to perfection. Like you, I am a sinful human being. And also
like you, I cherish the forgiving love of Jesus Christ, God’s Son,
our Savior.

At this summer’s convention, delegates will have both the op-
portunity and the responsibility to address many matters of impor-
tance for the future of our walking together as a Synod. With great
sincerity and humility, I encourage the congregations and individ-
ual members of our Synod to bring to the throne of our Heavenly
Father fervent petitions and sincere supplications for The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod.

In a recent letter to the pastors of the LCMS, I wrote the fol-
lowing paragraphs: .
A call to prayer, repentance and spiritual renewal

A matter of importance among us is our recognition of the depth of
sin in the world, in the church and in our own personal lives. Sin mani-
fests itself in many ways. Sin is a necessary ingredient in separation,
sectarianism, and schism, as well as in a widespread lack of faithful-
ness to God’s Word as revealed in Holy Scripture.

To say the least, we are a church body experiencing significant ten-
sions regarding numerous doctrinal issues, and regarding ways of car-
rying out the mission and ministry of the church. Left unresolved, these
differences will continue to provide a foothold for Satan. His influence
and subtle manipulations catalyze our individual and corporate sinful
thoughts, words and deeds. Divisiveness and a spirit of contention are
the result.

Accordingly, I believe it is time for a widespread call to prayer, repen-
tance and spiritual renewal among us. I say this with deep sincerity and
conviction. I have no reason to doubt or question the current level of spir-
ituality of the pastors, educators and members of congregations of our
Synod. At the same time, I am mindful of Paul’s words in Galatians 5:

You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your
freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in
love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your
neighbor as yourself.” If you keep on biting and devouring each
other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of
the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to
the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They
are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want.
But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, im-
purity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jeal-
ousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy;
drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that
those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such
things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have cru-
cified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live

2004 Convention Workbook