LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 151

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RESOLUTIONS
5

Theology and Church Relations
To Endorse Altar and Pulpit Fellowship
with Lutheran Church in Norway
RESOLUTION 5-01
Overture 5-01 (CW, pp. 341–342)
Preamble
Christianity came to Norway around AD 1000 and became the
dominant religion by the 12th century. The 16th-century Reformation had a profound effect on the church in Norway, leading it
to sever its ties with Rome. The Lutheran church became the state
church of Norway. (To this day, the “state” or “people’s church”
continues to receive state support.) In subsequent centuries, Norwegian Lutherans were noted for deep piety and energetic work in
missions. The second half of the 20th century, however, marked significant change for the Norwegian state church, most notably an
undermining of biblical authority, growing tolerance of theological
innovation and false doctrine, growing rejection of Christian moral
teachings (e.g., on abortion, sexual behavior), a marked decline of
church attendance among the laity, and the decline of mission. In
the 21st century, the decay of Norwegian Christianity has become
only more evident. Regular church attendance is now below 3 percent of the population, leading to baptism of infants dropping
significantly. The Church of Norway itself tolerated departures
from biblical teaching and practice, such as abortion, same-sex
marriage, universalism, and so forth.
Despite such decline, there are faithful Christians in Norway.
One example is The Lutheran Church in Norway (LCN). The LCN
is a small, emerging, strongly confessional Lutheran church (presently with three congregations) that is independent of state support.
It upholds the complete authority and inerrancy of Holy Scripture
and clearly articulates and practices the truth that Christ alone is
the world’s Savior from sin, death, and hell. As has been the practice
among Scandinavian Lutherans, it subscribes to the three ecumenical creeds, the Small Catechism, and the Augsburg Confession,
with the Book of Concord as authoritative for interpreting these
documents. The LCN’s purpose is to plant and guide congregations in the true faith.
Its commitment to the Gospel and the Holy Scriptures, and the
Confessions, led the LCN, under the leadership of Rev. Torkild
Masvie, to request fellowship with the LCMS on March 3, 2011.
Doctrinal discussions began in July of that same year, according
to the provisions of Bylaw 3.9.5.2.2 (c). Following these visits and
discussions (which included LCMS representatives Dr. Albert Coll“5. Theology and Church Relations”

ver, Rev. Dan Gilbert, Dr. Joel Lehenbauer, and Rev. Daniel Preus),
on May 16, 2014, the CTCR recommended a recognition of fellowship with the LCN to President Harrison and he declared the
same on November 7, 2014. A protocol agreement between the two
churches was signed on March 7, 2015. On January 17, 2016, Rev.
Torkild Masvie was formally installed as Provisional Bishop of the
Lutheran Church in Norway at the first official convention of the
LCN.
Whereas, There is a severe decline of biblical and confessional
teaching and life among Norwegian Christianity; and
Whereas, By God’s grace, the LCN traces its history to the
Lutheran Reformation’s acceptance in Norway and continues to
believe, teach, and confess the saving Gospel of justification by
grace through faith in Christ alone and is fully committed to the
sole authority of Holy Scripture in the church’s teaching and life;
and
Whereas, By God’s grace, the LCN boldly proclaims God’s
holy Law and His saving Gospel, seeking to uphold the scriptural
truth about abortion, abortifacients, and same-sex marriage, while
promoting the glorious truth of Christ’s saving work for all the
world; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS),
in obedience to God’s Word and the Lutheran Confessions, enjoys
church fellowship with many other Lutheran churches throughout
the world and endeavors to seek out other Lutheran churches that
believe, teach, and confess the same true faith; and

Committee 5 Chairman Scott Murray
U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

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