LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 2013, Page 156

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156

LIFE TOGETHER

3-25

3-27

To Update Content of 1991 Explanation to Small
Catechism

To Direct CPH to Place 1986 Catechism
into the Public Domain

Whereas, An Explanation of the Small Catechism, the Synod’s
question and answer exposition of Luther’s Small Catechism
(Enchiridion), is based on similar works that evolved from one to the
next as each subsequent work was published over the centuries; and
Whereas, An Explanation, because of its concise treatment of the
chief parts of Christian doctrine and its application of that doctrine to
current issues, is frequently used both for instruction in the Christian
faith and as a resource for those so instructed; and
Whereas, The last revision to the content of An Explanation is
that copyrighted 1991 (authorized in 1986 by Res. 2-17 before the
revision was completed), available from Concordia Publishing House
with proof texts primarily from either the New International Version
or the English Standard Version; and
Whereas, There is a need to update An Explanation in light of
many changes in church and society over the more than two decades
that have passed; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct and authorize
Concordia Publishing House to propose such needed revisions to the
content of the 1991 An Explanation of the Small Catechism, leaving
intact the 1986 wording of the Small Catechism (Enchiridion) itself
and continuing to use primarily the English Standard Version for proof
texts (or other appropriate translations as necessary); and be it further
Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House present its proposed
revisions to the Synod in time for ample review and response from
the field (and make necessary further revisions) before presenting a
revised An Explanation for consideration at a subsequent convention
of the Synod; and be it further
Resolved, That the revised An Explanation not be published
(except for review and in the Convention Workbook) nor be offered for
sale prior to its being approved by doctrinal review and then accepted
by a majority vote by the Synod in convention; and be it finally
Resolved, That the eventual publication of the revised An
Explanation not preclude Concordia Publishing House from continuing to publish and sell the previous editions from both 1943 and
1991 (with proof texts primarily from either the New International
Version or the English Standard Version).
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
Kilgore, TX

Whereas, The text of Luther’s Small Catechism is the primary
teaching tool of the Lutheran Church; and
Whereas, The text is intended to be used in the home and church,
and spread abroad as freely as possible; and
Whereas, The Scriptures themselves encourage us to write the
text of the catechism on our doors and walls (Deuteronomy 6:6ff.;
see Luther’s Preface to the Large Catechism); and
Whereas, Wherever the catechism is read, studied, printed, sung,
written, posted, repeated, and learned, the Holy Spirit produces the
fruit of faith and love; and
Whereas, The congregations of the LCMS, in love for one
another and the unity of the Spirit, have a common translation of the
Small Catechism (1986); and
Whereas, The copyright limitations placed on the 1986 translation of Luther’s Small Catechism limit its distribution (for example,
on the Internet, church Web sites, catechism study books and worksheets, audio recordings, posters and artwork, etc.); therefore be it
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention direct the Board of
Directors of Concordia Publishing House to place the 1986 translation
of Luther’s Small Catechism into the public domain; and be it further
Resolved, That this resolution be submitted as an overture to the
2013 convention of the Synod.
Southern Illinois District

3-26

To Reject Use of NIV 2011 in Catechism
Whereas, Biblica and Zondervan publishing houses have produced a new (2011) translation of the New International Version
(NIV) of Holy Scripture; and
Whereas, This version alters the meaning of many verses from
the 1984 translation; and
Whereas, The Enchiridion of Luther’s Small Catechism uses
the 1984 translation which is no longer published by Biblica and
Zondervan; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Nebraska District encourage the LCMS and its
corporate entity Concordia Publishing House to secure permission
for continued use of the 1984 version of the NIV; and be it further
Resolved, That the Nebraska District memorialize the Synod in
convention to select a faithful translation of the Holy Scriptures to be
used in the Enchiridion if permission is not obtained.
Nebraska District
2013 Convention Workbook

3-28

To Encourage Study of Lutheran Confessions
to Celebrate Reformation
Whereas, The 500th anniversary of the beginning of the
Reformation by Rev. Dr. Martin Luther will be observed in 2017; and
Whereas, It is most appropriate for us as members of the LCMS
to join in the celebration of that anniversary; and
Whereas, Resolution 4-02 of the 2009 district convention, “To
Encourage Study of the Lutheran Confessions in Celebration of the
Reformation,” stipulated that this resolution be reintroduced to the
2012 and 2015 district conventions; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Minnesota South District encourage every congregation of the district to hold regular, ongoing studies of all writings
contained within the Book of Concord of 1580 (i.e., the Lutheran
Confessions); and be it further
Resolved, That the Minnesota South District encourage each congregation of the district to encourage all of its members to attend these
studies regularly; and be it further
Resolved, That this memorial be reintroduced at the 2015
Minnesota South District convention as a reminder of what we have
agreed to do in preparation for the 500th anniversary of the start of
the Reformation; and be it finally
Resolved, That the Minnesota South District memorialize the 2013
Synod convention to encourage every congregation of the Synod to
hold regular, ongoing studies of all writings contained within the
Book of Concord of 1580 and to encourage all of their members to
regularly attend those studies.
Minnesota South District;
Minnesota North District