LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2016, Page 244

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To Commend In Christ All Things Hold Together:
The Intersection of Science and Christian Theology
RESOLUTION 14-05
Report R59 (CW, p. 196)
Whereas, Apparent contradictions between science and faith
create an opportunity for doubt as students pursue their education
in a variety of settings; and
Whereas, The Commission on Theology and Church Relations
(CTCR) document In Christ All Things Hold Together: The Intersection of Science and Christian Theology is an excellent resource
for Christian reflection on questions arising from the intersection
of science, faith, and Christian theology; and
Whereas, Reason is never lord over the Christian faith but
always the servant of the Christian faith; and
Whereas, The idea that nature is an autonomous machine leaving no need for God is a predominate cultural presupposition; and
Whereas, Throughout history, many faithful Christian scientists intentionally applied theology to their work and found God’s
creative and providential actions in the world; and
Whereas, We should always seek to discern the proper use of
science and the proper use of Scripture in order to recognize that
Christ and the Gospel are at the center of all things; and
Whereas, We have many opportunities to apply these principles in our daily vocations; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS)
in convention commend the CTCR document In Christ All Things
Hold Together: The Intersection of Science and Christian Theology
as a helpful resource to prevent the idolatry that results from confusing the Creator and His creation; and be it further
Resolved, That the Concordia University System (departments
of theology, natural sciences, and education), the Association
of Lutheran Secondary Schools, LCMS campus ministries, and
individual congregations utilize this report for the purpose of
strengthening the ability of our young people to maintain their
faith while also seeing the value of studying the sciences; and be
it finally
Resolved, That Concordia Publishing House be encouraged
to pursue the development of curricular materials based on this
resource for the purpose of catechesis.
Action: Adopted (3)
(Discussion continued until debate was ended, and Res. 14-05
was adopted as presented [Yes: 982; No: 54].)

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U P O N T H I S R O C K • Resolutions

To Encourage Outreach to Muslim Neighbors
RESOLUTION 14-06A
Overtures 14-05–06, 14-15 (CW, pp. 466–467, 471)
Whereas, The religion of Islam continues to grow in numbers
and impact throughout the United States and world; and
Whereas, Christ sends us as sheep among wolves and directs
us to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves because men will
deliver us to court (Matt. 10:16–17); and
Whereas, Our Lord’s command not to fear (Matt. 10:28ff.) frees
the Christian from fearing not only the devil and our sinful nature
but also all elements of the world, including those persons practicing the religion of Islam; and
Whereas, Illicit acts of violence committed out of fear or as an
expression of religious conviction are contrary to Scripture (Matt.
5:38–39; Luke 22:50–51; John 18:10–11); and
Whereas, Christ commands us to love our neighbors of all
faiths (Matt. 22:39) and to proclaim the Gospel to all nations (Matt.
28:19); therefore be it
Resolved, That the 2016 LCMS convention condemn all illicit
acts of violence committed out of fear or out of religious conviction; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Chief Mission
Officer, working in coordination with the Office of National Mission and the Office of International Mission, to adopt as a priority
the development and identification of resources (e.g., written and
visual materials, conferences, and experts) that will assist districts
and congregations boldly and faithfully to reach out to Muslims
with the Gospel of Jesus Christ; and be it further
Resolved, That districts be directed and congregations be
encouraged to develop specific outreach plans to share the Gospel
with their Muslim neighbors; and be it finally
Resolved, That the LCMS in convention commend the work of
Gottfried Martens in Berlin, Germany, for successfully creating an
ongoing outreach to European Muslim refugees and also commend
those in the United States conducting similar outreach activities.
Action: Adopted (5)
(Discussion of Res. 14-06 was begun during Session 3, when
after discussion, a motion was introduced to amend the resolution by adding a new second paragraph: “Whereas, Christ sends
us as sheep among wolves and directs us to be wise as serpents
and innocent as doves because men will deliver us to court (Matt.
10:16–17).” The committee was amenable to the change, and the
convention did not object to the addition. Discussion continued
until the Orders of the Day were called. Consideration of the resolution, now Res. 14-06A, resumed during Session 5. When asked by
the chair whether it was ready to proceed with voting on the resolution, the assembly agreed to vote, and Res. 14-06A was adopted
as changed during Session 3 [Yes: 945; No: 61].)

“14. Church and Culture”