LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 177

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 177

teachings of Scripture, Creeds, and Confessions? Our own argu-
ments and failures do not change the fact that truth and falsehood
can be known. God’s Word can be clearly understood. Some prac-
tices build unity, and others tear it down.

While I have not put my signature to That They May Be One,
the CTCR’s assessment has not persuaded me that doing so: would
be wrong or somehow damaging to the church. I find nothing in
TTMBO that violates or opposes the doctrinal position. of the
Synod. On the contrary, it appears to uphold and defend the Scrip-
tures, Creeds, and Confessions clearly and effectively. We all face
this challenge:

If | profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every por-
tion of the word of God except precisely that little point which the world
and the Devil are at that point attacking, I am not confessing Christ,
however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages,
there the loyalty of the soldier is tested. To be steady in all the battle-
fields besides is mere flight and disgrace if the soldier flinches at that
one point®
Thanks be to God for the courage He gives to the hundreds of

laypeople, teachers, deaconesses, and pastors who have put their own
names on the line to defend God’s Name and speak the truth of His
Word. May we all show such courage for the sake of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ, the only hope for the salvation of all mankind.

and

WHEREAS, The CTCR has not yet forwarded that Opinion for
publication in the Convention Workbook; and

WHEREAS, Convention delegates along with others in our Synod
should have the opportunity to read and consider the points made in
this Opinion in order to draw their own conclusions; therefore be it

Resolved, That those District Presidents, pastors, and laity of
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod who read the CTCR’s Re-
view of That They May Be One also be reminded to give careful
consideration to the Minority Opinion submitted by Mr. Paul Nus.

Grace Lutheran Church
Haven, WI

Notes

1. The Synod’s official doctrinal position on matters of fellowship
is most clearly and completely expressed in the CTCR’s 1965
Report Theology of Fellowship, which provides extensive scrip-
tural and historical documentation. Whereas other CTCR docu-
ments have merely been “commended,” the Synod officially
adopted this Report at its 1967 Convention. This endows it with
a measure of authority other CTCR documents (including The
Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship) do not have.
The 1965 Report is also notable for its extended discussion of
the terms “heresy” and “schism,” explaining their essential role
in guiding the practice of fellowship. Decisions concerning who
should or should not be considered “in fellowship” cannot be
properly made without reference to these terms.

2. “The teachings of Scripture conceming the fellowship of Chris-
tians with God through faith in Christ, and the fellowship with
one another which inevitably follows from their mutual fellow-
ship with God as His children, as set forth in Part I of THEOL-
OGY OF FELLOWSHIP, are meant to be translated into prac-
tice” (Theology of Fellowship, p. 14).

3. Cf. Theology of Fellowship’s exposition of Romans 16:17-18
(pp. 38-39). Fellowship surely suffers when one grieves or re-
sists the Holy Spirit through persistent unrepented (mortal) sin
(Eph. 4:30; Hebrews 3).

4. Theology of Fellowship dealt concisely with this question: “Joint
prayer with non-Christians is to be avoided” (n 18). It also
quotes (p. 41) the Concordia Cyclopedia of 1927: “particularly
joint worship and mixed (promiscuous) prayer among those who
profess the truth and those who deny any part of it, is sinful
unionism.” This was understood to include “participation in
prayer at mixed gatherings, civic and patriotic.”

5. Walther goes on to provide extensive documentation from the
Scriptures, church fathers, Lutheran Confessions, and post-

Reformation scholars, but not within the Theses themselves.

6. While often attributed to Martin Luther, this reference seems
apocryphal and cannot be found in Luther’s Works. The true au-
thor’s lost identity need not subtract from the sobering truth this
paragraph presents.

i

3-42

To Continue Model Theological Conferences

WHEREAS, The Model Theological Conference in Phoenix (Au-
gust 2002) was the beginning of a process for the laypeople and
clergy in the LCMS to discuss serious theological issues; and

Wuereas, Each District was encouraged to hold Model Theo-
logical Conferences in 2003; and

WHEREAS, The reports from these conferences indicated the
blessing of Christian dialogue about serious issues in the church;
and

WHEREAS, There is the continued need for such forums that pro-
mote greater harmony and unity based on Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions through the serious discussion of doctrine
and practice; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention vow to continue such
forums involving laypersons, clergy, and teachers on at least an an-
nual basis for a number of years until greater harmony in our midst
has been brought about by God’s grace.

St. Paul
Waseca, MN

3-43

To Encourage Districts to Hold
Regular Theological Conferences

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod has been
commissioned to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ in a rapidly
changing society; and

WHEREAS, The LCMS is faced with differences of opinion re-
garding the practice and application of our teaching; and

WHEREAS, These differences impede our effectiveness in com-
municating the Gospel; and

WHEREAS, These differences are a reflection of our sin and lim-
itations in understanding and call us to make an investment in each
other; and

WHEREAS, There is an ongoing need for confession and absolu-
tion in our personal and professional relationships; and

Wuereas, The Synod has historically encouraged the participa-
tion of the laity in theological discussions; and
WuereaS, The Holy Scriptures admonish us to be in conversa-
tion with each other about such differences of opinion (Heb.
10:24—25); and
Wuereas, The Lord Himself desires us to be one as the body
of Christ (John 17); therefore be it
Resolved, That the Districts of The Lutheran Church—Missouri
Synod be encouraged to schedule and implement regular theologi-
cal conferences for the purpose of addressing issues relevant to the
life of the church; and be it further
Resolved, That all pastors of the LCMS be encouraged to par-
ticipate in these conferences; and be it finally
Resolved, That lay leaders be encouraged to participate in these
conferences.
Board of Directors
Northwest District