LCMS Commission on Constitutional Matters — Minutes St. Louis, Missouri — June 13–14, 2014, Page 2

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Confessions are not exhaustive in their confession of biblical doctrine but “speak primarily to the articles
of faith in controversy in the days of the Reformation” (Constitution Art. VIII C; 1971 Res. 5-24).
The Synod has retained the right and obligation to re-affirm the confessional position of the Synod in time
of controversy, to clarify its witness, to set forth the confessional position of the Synod against new and
urgent challenge, and to refute error, as long as such statements are in harmony with Scripture and the
Lutheran Confessions. The Synod does so in line with the confessional principle of the Formula of
Concord [FC SD Preface, 4–10], such that in making such resolutions and statements it does not go
beyond the confessional basis of Article II of the Constitution, but merely defends its existing confession
against new misinterpretations. The Synod holds that its confessional base is “as broad as Holy Scripture,
and that provided a doctrinal resolution is in fact in harmony with the Word of God, which is ‘the only
rule and norm of doctrine,’ the content of such a resolution is intrinsic to the Synod’s confessional basis”
(1971 Res. 2-21).
Some historical examples of Synod stating its position in controverted matters include the adoption of
C.F.W. Walther’s theses on church and office (Kirche und Amt), the “Thirteen Theses on Predestination,”
the “Brief Statement,” and “A Statement on Scriptural and Confessional Principles.” The adoption of the
“Thirteen Theses on Predestination” resulted in several members of the Synod leaving because they could
not agree with this position of the Synod. The Synod has always expected and required that its members
teach and practice in accordance with these resolutions that state its public position regarding the teaching
and practice of the Scriptures (1971 Res. 2-21).
The Synod refined the process by introducing a bylaw distinction between doctrinal resolutions and
doctrinal statements (1977 Res. 3-07). This change did not in any way alter the authority and status of
resolutions establishing the position of the Synod that were adopted prior to this 1977 distinction. These
prior resolutions remain what they always were, the official position of the Synod in the matter being
covered (1977 Res. 3-07).
Since 1977, the Synod has distinguished between doctrinal resolutions which “may be adopted for the
information, counsel, and guidance of the membership” (Bylaw 1.6.2 [a]) and doctrinal statements which
“set forth in greater detail the position of Synod especially in controverted matters” (Bylaw 1.6.2 [b]).
“[Doctrinal] resolutions come into being in the same manner as any other resolutions of a convention of
the Synod and are to be honored and upheld until such time as the Synod amends or repeals them” (Bylaw
1.6.2 [a]). Doctrinal statements have a much more elaborate process of submission, evaluation,
refinement, and approval but “shall be regarded as the position of Synod and shall be ‘accepted and used
as helpful expositions and explanations’” to be honored and upheld as the standard of teaching and
practice “until such time as the Synod amends or repeals them” (Bylaw 1.6.2 [b] [7]). Doctrinal
resolutions and statements both have binding force on all congregational and individual members of
Synod until it can be shown that such are not in keeping with the Word of God or the Lutheran
Confessions, not as an individual judgment but when the Synod in convention by overture is convinced
from the Word of God to overturn or amend them (1959 Res. 3-09; 1962 Res. 3-17; 1973 Res. 2-12 and
3-01; 1977 Res 3-07).
The Synod is not infallible and has established a formal dissent process for doctrinal statements when
challenge arises (Bylaw section 1.8). Such formal dissent, however, cannot be used as a substitute for the
Synod’s stated confessional position and does not permit a member to teach or practice contrary to the
position of the Synod. It does not free one from the responsibility to “honor and uphold” doctrinal
resolutions or “to abide by, act, and teach in accordance with” doctrinal statements until such time as
Synod “amends or repeals them” (Bylaw 1.6.2). This also includes doctrinal positions adopted by the
Synod prior to 1977 (cf. CCM Opinion 13-2677). The burden of proof lies upon the dissenter to convince
the Synod in convention that it has erred and that a statement is in violation of Synod’s own confessional
CCM Minutes – June 13–14, 2014 – Page 17