LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2004, Page 237

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HIGHER EDUCATION 237

5-42

To Require Doctrinal Subscription
for All Faculty Members of Synodical Institutions

WHEREAS, Bylaw 6.23 (Appointment of Members to Faculties
of Synodical Institutions) was altered by the 1998 Synod conven-
tion; and

WHEREAS, This action changed the former wording of paragraph
e: “When, in exceptional cases, laypersons are involved, they
should be persons who are solemnly pledged to the Holy Scriptures
as the inspired Word of God and to the Lutheran Confessions” to
read in paragraph c: “When laypersons are employed in full-time
teaching positions, they shall pledge to perform their duties in har-
mony with the Holy Scriptures as the inspired Word of God, the
Lutheran Confessions, the Synod’s doctrinal statements, and the
policies of the Synod”; and

WuereAas, The phrase “and the policies of the Synod” is impre-
cise and ambiguous since there is no central compilation of “the
policies of the Synod” to which laypersons/teachers are asked to
pledge their agreement; and

WHEREAS, Not even rostered members of the Synod are asked to
make such a pledge; therefore be it

Resolved, That the 2003 convention of the Northern Illinois
District petition the 2004 LCMS convention to require all mem-
bers of the faculties of synodical institutions to pledge themselves
to perform their duties in harmony with the Holy Scriptures as the
inspired Word of God, the Lutheran Confessions, and the Synod’s
doctrinal statements alone, by removing “and the policies of the
Synod” from Bylaw 6.23 c.

Northern Illinois District; Trinity, Roselle, IL; Circuit 6,
Northern Illinois District

5-43

To Investigate Teaching of Evolution
in Synod’s Colleges

Whereas, The Scriptures clearly teach that God created all that
exists by His almighty Word, in the span of six days, and that He is,
therefore, the author and giver of all life; and

WHEREAS, This teaching has been the official position of The
Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (Brief Statement of the Doctri-
nal Position of the Missouri Synod, paragraph 5); and

WHEREAS, Deviation from this teaching calls into question the au-
thority of Scripture as well as denigrates the value of human life; and

WHEREAS, There are indications that the theory of evolution has
been taught as fact in some Synod colleges; therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod reaffirm
its confidence in the doctrine of creation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Board for Higher Education begin an imme-
diate investigation into the teaching of evolution in our Synod’s
colleges with the mandate to bring all science curricula into agree-
ment with our official position on the doctrine of creation.

Montana District; Our Redeemer, Columbia Falls, MT

5-44

To Survey Teaching of Creationism
in Concordia University System
WHEREAS, The Bible teaches that God created the heavens and
the earth in six days; and
WHEREAS, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod upholds the
teaching of creationism; and

WuereAS, The false teaching of evolution undermines the truth
of Holy Scriptures and has led many to doubt their faith since Gen-
esis 1 and 2 are foundational to the whole of Scripture; and

WHEREAS, There are reports that creationism is not being taught
at some of our Concordias; and

Whereas, Our future church workers as well as others attending
our colleges and universities need familiarity with the solid argu-
ments of creationism to address the very fundamental question of
origins that resonates in our secular culture; therefore be it

Resolved, That a survey of all science instructors and profes-
sors at each of our Concordia colleges and universities be compiled
under the direction of the Board for Higher Education to determine
the extent of their teaching of creationism; and be it further

Resolved, That the results of this survey be shared with the var-
ious boards of regents of the colleges and universities for any cor-
rective actions necessary; and be it finally

Resolved, That a summary of the findings of this study be piib-
lished in Reporter.

Circuit 13 Forum, North Wisconsin District; Faith, Plano,
TX; Immanuel, Brandon, FL; St. Paul, Bonduel, WI

5-45

To Require Teaching of Doctrine
of Creation in Synod Schools
WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that God is the creator of all that

exists and, therefore, the author and giver of life, which Scriptural
teaching is undermined by the theory of evolution; and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that men will “deliberately for-
get” that God is the creator of all (2 Peter 3:5—6); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Montana District in convention request the
Synod in the 2004 convention to direct the Board for Higher Edu-
cation to require the professors and teachers at its institutions of
higher education to teach creation doctrine; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the District submit a copy of

‘this resolution as an overture to the 2004 Synod convention.

Montana District

5-46

To Clarify Role of “‘Teachers of Theology”
at Synod Colleges and Seminaries

WHEREAS, St. Paul expressly confines the teaching of doctrine
to qualified men (1 Tim. 2:12; 3:1-2; 1 Cor. 14:34; Titus 1:5-9;
2:1); and

WHEREAS, The Augsburg Confession maintains that “nobody
should publicly teach or preach or administer the sacraments in the
church without a regular call” (AC XIV); and

WHEREAS, The colleges and seminaries of the Synod exist “for
preparation of professional church workers and other Christian
leaders” (Bylaw 6.34 b); and

WuerEaS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
has recognized that the term “teacher of theology” is sometimes
“used in the sense of providing ‘instruction’ or ‘explanation’ anal-
ogous to the instruction that takes place in theology departments”
in secular universities (Response to Questions from the BHE-CUS
on Lay Teachers of Theology, Feb. 19, 2003); and

WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
has found that in other cases “teacher of theology” describes a po-
sition that would “necessarily involve the proclamation and trans-
mission of the church’s authoritative ‘public teaching’ (publica
doctrina)” and in such cases “only one who has been properly
called (rite vocatus) into the office of the public ministry may serve
in this position” (Response to Questions from the BHE-CUS on Lay
Teachers of Theology, Feb. 19, 2003); therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge that “teachers of theol-
ogy” in its colleges and seminaries, because they are responsible
“for preparation of professional church workers and other Christian
leaders,” will necessarily be involved in “the proclamation and
transmission of the church’s authoritative ‘public teaching’ ”; and
be it further