LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 2023, Page 222

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11. CHURCH AND CULTURE
Action: Adopted (7)

After debate, the second call for closure was carried; the
resolution was adopted [Yes: 853; No: 31].

To Reject All Forms of Racism
and Affirm Our Witness to All People
RESOLUTION 11-02A
Overtures 11-04–11, 17–20 (CW, 408–13, 416–19); President’s
Report, Part 2 (TB, 1:26)
WHEREAS, Scripture reveals that all people are created in
the image of God, one human race, one common humanity, no
matter what our outward distinctions might be (Gen. 1:26–27,
9:6; Acts 17:25–26), giving every human inherent value (Psalm
139:13–14); and
WHEREAS, In Jesus, God became man and so identifies
fully with every human being (Matt. 1:1–17; Luke 3:23–38), His
mission of redemption is for all of mankind (Heb. 2:17), and in
Him the value of every person in the eyes of God is verified
(John 3:16–17); and
WHEREAS, The apostle Peter said, “Truly I understand that
God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears
him and does what is right is acceptable to him” (Acts 10:34–
35); and
WHEREAS, James says, “If you really fulfill the royal law
according to the Scripture, ‘You shall love your neighbor as
yourself,’ you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you
are committing sin and are convicted by the law as
transgressors” (James 2:8–9); and
WHEREAS, Contrary to Scripture, there are ideologies that
determine human worth and value in other ways, such as
genetics, biology, physical characteristics, cultural heritage,
or historical experiences; and
WHEREAS, In common speech, “race” distinguishes people
according to skin color and geographical heritage; and
WHEREAS, The Synod in convention adopted 2019
Resolution 11-04A, “To Affirm the Common Humanity of All
People and Ethnicities,” which states: “Racism is defined as:
(1) A belief that race is the primary determinant of human
traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an
inherent superiority of a particular race (www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/racism);
and
(2)
Prejudice,
discrimination, or antagonism directed against someone of a
different race based on the belief that one’s own race is
superior (www.lexico.com/en/definition/racism)” (Proceedings,
217); and
WHEREAS, Racism thus defined denies biblical truth as it
claims that some races are inherently superior to others; and
WHEREAS, There are contemporary movements,
methodologies, and ideologies that seek to address racism
such as Black Lives Matter (BLM); Diversity, Equity, and
Inclusion (DEI); and Critical Race Theory (CRT); and
222 | PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2023 (68TH) LCMS CONVENTION

WHEREAS, BLM, DEI, and CRT are multifaceted and
include controversial aspects and theories as well as some
explicitly unbiblical tenets; and
WHEREAS, Elements of the BLM organizational
philosophy, certain DEI policies, and some proponents of CRT
often divide people on the basis of race and may therefore
promote another form of racism; and
WHEREAS, Additional contemporary ideologies and
movements such as Nazism, White Supremacy, and White
Nationalism espouse unbiblical aspects, theories, and tenets;
and
WHEREAS, Nazism, White Supremacy, and White
Nationalism divide people on the basis of race, therefore
promoting racism; and
WHEREAS, The Church exists to call the world to repent of
sin including racial and ethnic division and discrimination,
and to proclaim that Christ Himself is our peace and that we
are reconciled to God and one another only through Him (Eph.
2:14–16; Acts 17:30–31); therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
(LCMS) rejects any doctrine or ideology that teaches the
superiority of one race, ancestry, or nationality over another
or that teaches that an individual is inherently racist or
oppressive because of his or her race, ancestry, or nationality;
and be it further
Resolved, That Synod’s congregations and church
workers, and its national and district workers, in teaching the
scriptural truth that Christ is the Savior of all people of every
color and ethnicity, recognize the need for humility and
acknowledge our past failures in this regard (James 4:6); and
be it further
Resolved, That Synod’s congregations and church
workers, and its national and district workers, engage
vigorously in the Great Commission to see all people of every
color and ethnicity come to faith in Christ and be incorporated
in LCMS congregations; and be it further
Resolved, That the Synod recognize that members of LCMS
congregations may seek to address racism in various ways,
and we commit to love one another in Christ, seeking to find
common ground in our confession of the Word of God; and be
it further
Resolved, That the Synod continue to utilize the 1994
Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR)
Report Racism and the Church: Overcoming the Idolatry, develop
additional resources to combat racism, and work
collaboratively to proclaim God’s love for all people in Christ;
and be it finally
Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the CTCR to
examine, from a biblical perspective, the issues around race
and racism central to contemporary discussions and life,
including movements, methodologies, and ideologies that
divide people by race.
Action: Adopted as amended (7)

Resolutions