LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 155

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5. THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
about close(d) Communion, thus revealing a lack of
unanimity; therefore be it
Resolved, That the Synod in convention recognize the
scriptural necessity of adhering publicly to both the professed
doctrine and practice of close(d) Communion (recognizing
the terms “close” and “closed” as synonymous) as adopted by
previous conventions of the LCMS; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod President and the Council of
Presidents in consultation with our Synod’s seminary
faculties re-evaluate the specific language of earlier
Communion
resolutions
regarding
extraordinary
circumstances, providing case studies and examples for study
and discussion to be shared within our districts.
Action: Adopted (8)

After the chair offered a word of explanation and the body
accepted his proposal to close debate, the resolution was adopted
[Yes: 842; No: 105].

To Articulate Theology
and Philosophy of Lutheran Education
RESOLUTION 5-10
Reports R1, R1.2.1, R14 (CW, 1–3, 14, 64–69)
WHEREAS, Our Lutheran schools at every level face
constant challenges in a world of competing philosophies;
and
WHEREAS, Our Synod would benefit from a clearly
articulated theology and philosophy of Lutheran education
that considers sound principles from the doctrine of
justification, biblical creation, first article gifts, right and left
kingdom perspectives, and Lutheran anthropology, to analyze
the strengths and weaknesses of various educational
philosophies; and
WHEREAS, A clear, concise, and readable theology and
philosophy of Lutheran education could help guide our
workers, lay leaders, and families from preschool, grade
school, high school, and secondary education as they make
curriculum, discipline, and other decisions on a daily basis;
therefore be it
Resolved, That the Commission on Theology and Church
Relations—in consultation with representatives from
Concordia University System universities, Synod education
executives, and others—develop principles of Lutheran
education rooted in Lutheran doctrine; and be it further
Resolved, That a pamphlet be produced for written and
electronic distribution to help guide congregations, schools,
workers, and parents in the task of faithfully leading students
in their education.
Action: Adopted (8)

Upon immediate closure of debate as suggested by the chair, the
resolution was adopted [Yes: 901; No: 66].
Resolutions

To Reaffirm Synod’s Biblical Positions
on Marriage and Sexuality
RESOLUTION 5-11
Overtures 5-35–38 (CW, 307–11)
WHEREAS, Scripture declares that God in the beginning
created humanity as male and female (Gen. 1:27; Matt. 19:4),
and that He has instituted marriage to be an indissoluble
union between man and woman (Gen. 2:24) for the purposes
of companionship (Gen 2:18, 20–23) and procreation (Gen.
1:28); and
WHEREAS, Scripture clearly teaches that marriage reflects
the relationship between Christ and His bride, the church,
whereby husbands and wives carry out their distinct roles
harmoniously for good order and mutual edification in the
faith and in daily living (Eph. 5:22–33; 1 Peter 2:13–3:7); and
WHEREAS, Scripture also reserves all sexual activity for the
marital union between man and woman (Ex. 20:14; Deut. 5:18;
Num. 5:11–31; Matt. 5:27–30) and expressly prohibits all sexual
activity between persons of the same sex (Lev. 18:22, 24; 20:13;
Rom. 1:26–27; 1 Cor. 6:8; 1 Tim. 1:10; Jude 7); and
WHEREAS, Anti-scriptural views regarding marriage and
sexuality continue to proliferate in American society, such as
same-sex intercourse and marriage, gender fluidity,
pedophilia, acceptance of cohabitation, use of pornography,
and other deviations from biblical truth; and
WHEREAS, The Commission on Theology and Church
Relations (CTCR), at the direction of 2016 Resolution 14-03A
and 2019 Res. 11-03A, has produced a new report on marriage
and sexuality, A Chaste and Decent Life: An Update to Human
Sexuality (1981) (Commission on Theology and Church
Relations [St. Louis: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod,
2022]), that seeks to challenge these new cultural
assumptions on the basis of biblical truth; and
WHEREAS, The CTCR report states that “attitudes toward
gender identity and dysphoria, homosexuality and
homosexual marriage, and societal pressures regarding
sexuality, among others, have changed markedly in the last
forty years,” yet maintains that “God’s intention for human
sexuality does not change” (A Chaste and Decent Life, 37); and
WHEREAS, Synod in convention has repeatedly addressed
these errors through resolutions confessing scriptural
positions on marriage and sexuality (including, most recently,
2019 Res. 3-04A, 2016 Res. 14-03A, and 2013 Res. 2-07A);
therefore be it
Resolved, That Synod in convention reaffirm the Scriptural
teaching on marriage and sexuality; and be it further
Resolved, That Synod in convention commend the CTCR’s
A Chaste and Decent Life as a resource for pastors to familiarize
themselves with the current errors present in society, in
addition to other recent resources the CTCR has provided on
these topics, such as The Order of Creation: Theology, History,
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION | 155