LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2007, Page 121

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
WHEREAS, The LCMS is blessed to work with other confessional Lutheran churches around the world through the
work of the International Lutheran Council (ILC) and has
increased opportunities to be a blessing to others through
such programs as Committee Responsible for International
Studies Program (CRISP), which offers scholarships for
students and provides or exchanges professors at seminaries and universities; and
WHEREAS, The LCMS, which has been so abundantly
blessed, has also been called to be a good steward of God’s
many gifts; and
WHEREAS, A new dogmatics text which involves the work
of LCMS and partner church theologians is in the final
stages of preparation (cf. 1986 Res. 3-11); and
WHEREAS, One of the express purposes of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) is to provide guidance to the Synod in matters of church relations;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the CTCR, in consultation with the Office of the President and our seminaries, coordinate fundamentally constructive and intentionally supportive efforts
such as theological symposia, conferences, and other opportunities for study of confessional Lutheran theology, to
uphold and nurture confessional Lutheranism; and be it
further
Resolved, That members of partner churches, members
of the ILC, as well as other church bodies and individuals,
be invited to participate in these programs; and be it further
Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House give the
highest priority to the publication of the new dogmatics
text; and be it further
Resolved, That the CTCR be encouraged to assist in encouraging the translating of the Lutheran Confessions into
the languages of the world; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention request that in
2010 the CTCR report progress in furthering and nurturing confessional Lutheran theology at home and abroad to
the Synod.
Action: Adopted (5)
(During discussion, the committee agreed to the addition of a
new resolve prior to the final resolve: Resolved, That the CTCR be
encouraged to assist in encouraging the translating of the
Lutheran Confessions into the languages of the world. An amendment to add and the Synod will provide funding for this publication at the end of the third resolve was not adopted. The committee agreed also to add the words and our seminaries after the
word President in the first resolve, but an amendment to delete
the entire third resolve failed. The resolution was adopted as
changed [Yes: 959; No: 81].)

To Call for Study of the Natural Knowledge
of God and Its Implications for Public Witness
RESOLUTION 3-04A
Overtures 3-06–12, 3-18–28 (CW, pp. 149–151,
152–156)
WHEREAS, We live in a society in which many are increasingly confused about the one true God and have been
led to believe falsely that all religions lead to salvation; and

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WHEREAS, The Scriptures teach that all people have a
natural knowledge of God but such knowledge is not saving knowledge; and
WHEREAS, The Athanasian Creed clearly confesses, “The
catholic faith is this, that we worship one God in Trinity
and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance,” and, “It is also necessary for everlasting salvation that one faithfully believe the incarnation
of our Lord Jesus Christ”; and
WHEREAS, An understanding of the natural knowledge
of God can assist the members of the congregations of the
LCMS in their witness; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention reaffirm its confession that there is no salvation apart from Jesus Christ
and that it is impossible to worship the one true God in
spirit and truth (Jn. 4:23ff) apart from saving faith in Jesus
Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention ask the Commission on Theology and Church Relations, in consultation
with the seminary faculties, to prepare a study of the natural knowledge of God, and especially its implications for
our public witness.
Action: Adopted (5)
(As discussion of the resolution began, a motion was introduced to amend the first resolve by deleting the phrase in spirit
and truth (Jn. 4:23ff), followed by a suggestion to insert 1 John
2:23 in place of the deleted phrase. After discussion, the amendment failed. After further debate, the resolution was adopted as
presented by the committee [Yes: 980; No: 96].)

To Provide Further Discussion and
Guidance on the Matter of Serial Prayer
RESOLUTION 3-05
Overtures 3-14–17 (CW, pp. 151–152)
WHEREAS, In 2004 Res. 3-06A, The Lutheran Church—
Missouri Synod commended for study Guidelines for Participation in Civic Events, a report of the Commission on
Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), “to help pastors,
teachers, and church workers make decisions about participation in civic events” (2004 Proceedings, p. 131); and
WHEREAS, Congregations of the Synod have requested
further clarification regarding serial prayer; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention assign to the
CTCR the task of providing further guidance for participation
in civic events that includes the offering of serial prayer.
Action: Adopted (5)
(As discussion began, the following amendment was offered to
replace the final whereas and the resolve: WHEREAS, The CTCR
report itself notes, ‘The members of the Commission disagree about
the issue of so-called “serial” or “seriatim” prayers involving representatives of different religious [Christian and/or non-Christian] groups or churches’ [p. 19]; and WHEREAS, Seven districts
(Minnesota North, Southern Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota,
Rocky Mountain, Pacific Southwest, and Northern Illinois), three
congregations, one circuit forum, and one pastors conference have
submitted overtures in the Convention Workbook which recognize
this ambiguity as to serial prayer and call for further clarification
or restudy or, in several cases, for the recision of 2004 Res. 3-06A;
therefore be it Resolved, That the Synod in convention withdraw
its commendation of those Guidelines; and be it further Resolved,
That the Synod assign to the CTCR and the seminary faculties the

2007 Convention Proceedings