LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 185

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 185

3-71

To Bear Public Witness against Homosexual Unions

WHEREAS, Many in American society are demanding legal
recognition of same-sex unions as “marriages” by appeals to
“equality under the law” (e.g., the Supreme Court of Massachu-
setts, Feb. 4, 2004); and

WHEREAS, Human beings have no “right” to violate the moral
law of God; and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention and, subsequently, the
Synod President have affirmed the sanctity of marriage and rejected
same-sex unions (1998 Res. 3-21); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod declare, on the basis of Scripture, that
God has instituted marriage as the lifelong union of one man and
one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt. 19:4—6); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod affirm, also on the basis of Scripture,
that homosexual unions fall under the condemnation of God (Lev.
18:22, 24; 20:13; 1 Cor. 6:9-20; 1 Tim. 1:9-10); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to give a public wit-
hess against the social acceptance and legal recognition of homo-
sexual unions of any form; and be it finally

Resolved, That homosexual thoughts, words, and deeds are
themselves sinful; that Jesus Christ lived, suffered, and died for all
sin, including homosexual and heterosexual sin; and that all who
sin in either way are called to repent of their sins and receive cer-
tain and free forgiveness in Christ for all sins, including these.

Faculty
Concordia Theological Seminary
Fort Wayne, IN

3-72

To Uphold Scriptural Position
That Homosexual Relationships Are Sinful

WHEREAS, The Word of God clearly condemns homosexual be-
havior:

Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is de-
testable. ... Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because
this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you be-
came defiled. (Lev. 18:22-24)

Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even
their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the
same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women
and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed inde-
cent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due
penalty for their perversion. (Rom. 1:26-27)

Do you not know that the wicked will] not inherit the kingdom
of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor
idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual of-
fenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor
swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Cor. 6:9-10)

We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for
lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and ir-
religious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murder-
ers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and per-
jurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine.
(1 Tim, 1:9-10); and

WHEREAS, Homosexuality is a sin against God and the natural
knowledge of God:

Since what may be known about God is plain to them, because
God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world
God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—
have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been
made, so that men are without excuse. (Rom. 1:19-20)

Since they show that the requirements of the law are written on
their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their
thoughts now accusing, now even defending them. (Rom. 2:15);
and

WHEREAS, There are churches in many mainstream denomina-
tions that are actively accepting or even promoting the homosexual
lifestyle as a healthy, normal alternative to heterosexuality; and

WHEREAS, The silence of many of the congregations of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod can be seen as misleading or
even as acceptance of the homosexual lifestyle and agenda; and

WHEREAS, God’s people and pastors are to proclaim the Law of
God clearly and effectively; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reaffirm
the position stated in Res. 2-04 of the 1973 LCMS convention that
“the Synod recognize homophile behavior as intrinsically sinful”;
and be it further

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reaffirm
Res. 3-12A of the 1992 LCMS convention that “it is necessary for
the church to expose and resist sexual idolatry of our society”; and
be it finally

Resolved, That the pastors and churches of The Lutheran
Church—Missouri Synod encourage all pastors and Christian con-
gregations to pray for and work faithfully with those struggling
with homosexual! desires. As St. Paul instructs us, “Brethren, if a
man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such
a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be
tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of
Christ” (Gal. 6:1-2).

Crookston Circuit Forum
Minnesota North District

3-73

To Reaffirm Marriage of One Man and One Woman
WHEREAS, Many now approve of homosexual marriage; and

WHEREAS, Scriptures clearly declares that marriage is the life-
long union between one man and one woman (Gen. 2:24; Matt.
19:5); therefore be it

Resolved, That the LCMS, in convention, affirm on the basis of
Scripture this lifelong union of one man and one woman, and be it
further

Resolved, That Synod urge its members to clearly proclaim this
biblical truth; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Family Ministry unit of the Board for District
and Congregational Services produce resources to help congregations
promote strong, healthy marriages.

Brainerd Circuit Forum
Minnesota North District

3-74

To Recognize Scriptural Definition of Marriage

WHEREAS, We learn from the Word of God that marriage is the
lifelong, exclusive union of one man and one woman, as husband
and wife; it is a part of God’s creation: ‘For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will
become one flesh” (Gen. 2:24; cf. Matt.19:5-6; Eph. 5:31); and

WHEREAS, The Lord teaches us through His Word that homo-
sexuality is a sinful distortion of His desire that one man and one
woman live together in marriage as husband and wife; and

WuereEAS, God categorically prohibits homosexuality: “You
shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination . ...
Do not defile yourselves by any of these things” (Lev. 18:22-24).
And “If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have
committed an abomination” (Lev. 20:13). “For this reason God
gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged
natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up nat-
ural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one
another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving
in their own persons the due penalty for their error’ (Rom.
1:26-27). “Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters,
nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts ... shall inherit the kingdom of