Synodical Conference Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1958, Page 44

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Proceedings of the Forty-fifth Convention

IV. The Interpretation of Scripture

Since Scripture is God’s Word, the interpretation of Scripture
should not be regarded as merely or primarily an intellectual
task. The true meaning of Scripture becomes clear for man in
a given situation, not merely by a scrupulous study of Scripture
and a careful analysis of the facts at issue, but rather by ap-
proaching Scripture in a spirit of repentance and faith which
makes men obedient sons of God, who hear Scripture when it
speaks as Law in all the rigidity of the Law, and when it speaks
as Gospel in all the unconditional grace of the Gospel. (2 Cor.
4:3-4; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Gal. 2:5; 5:3, 6)

Scripture alone is to interpret Scripture. The hermeneutical
rule that Scripture must be interpreted according to the rule,
or the analogy, of faith means that the clear passages of Scrip-
ture, not any theological system or dogmatical summary of Bible
doctrine, are to determine the interpretation. Seemingly obscure
passages must not be interpreted so as to pervert or contradict
clear passages. This means that every statement of Scripture
must be understood in its native sense, according to grammar,
context, and linguistic usage of the time. Where Scripture speaks
historically, as, for example, in Genesis 1—3, it must be under-
stood as speaking of literal, historical facts. Where Scripture
speaks symbolically, metaphorically, or metonymically, as, for
example, in Revelation 20, it must be interpreted on these its
own terms. Furthermore, since God spoke in the common lan-
guage of men, expressions such as sunrise and sunset, the corners
of the earth, etc., must not be viewed as intending to convey
scientific information. (Ps.119:105; 2 Peter 1:19; 2 Tim.3:15)

Since the same God speaks by the same creative energy of
the same Holy Spirit throughout Scripture, the Old Testament
and the New Testament are to be viewed as constituting an
organic unity. This unity is to be understood, not as a simple
equation of the two Testaments with * one another, but in the
sense of Hebrews 1:1-2: “God, who at sundry times and in divers
manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
hath in these last days spoken unto.us by His Son.” Since the
New Testament is the culminating revelation of God, it is decisive
in determining the relation between the two Testaments and
the meaning of the Old Testament prophecies in particular; the
meaning of a prophecy becomes known in full only from its
fulfillment.

Since Scripture is in all its parts and in all its words the
inspired Word of God, we reject and condemn any use of the
phrase “totality of Scripture” which tends to abridge or annul
the force of any clear passage of Scripture. Similarly we reject
the use of any phrase which makes room for the idea that the
Scripture as a whole may be regarded as the Word of God,
though it in many details is regarded as only the words of men.

We reject and condemn “demythologizing” as a denial of
the Word of God. Where Scripture records as historical facts
those events and deeds which far surpass the ordinary experience
of men, that record must be understood literally, as a record of
facts; the miraculous and mysterious may not be dismissed as
intended to have only a metaphorical or symbolical meaning.

Lutheran Synodical Conference, 1958 45

scheduled a plenary meeting in connection with the convention.
It may be that further statements of agreement can be given to the
delegates at that time.

As we prepare to meet in convention in Lakewood, August 5—8,
we may perhaps summarize our position as follows:

1. By the grace of God all of us stand unreservedly committed
to the Holy Scriptures and to the Lutheran Confessions.

2. By the grace of God we have been preserved in full agree-
ment on the all-important doctrine of Scripture.

3. Because of our human limitations and frailties we find our-
selves in disagreement as to the scope and the application of some
Scripture truths to specific areas of our corporate and individual
Christian life. ;

4, All of us sincerely desire in a Scriptural, God-pleasing way
to avoid or remove the causes of intersynodical friction and to
become again a faithful instrument in the hands of our God for the
vigorous promotion of the work of His kingdom.

5. All of us must rely wholly on the strength, illumination,
and direction of God and His Holy Spirit through His Word, and
to that end must address an incessant flow of prayer in Jesus’ name
to the throne of grace, humbling ourselves under the mighty hand
of God that He may exalt us in due time, fully conscious of the
fact that “except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that
build it.”

6. All of us, in singleness of purpose, are willing to con-
tinue these doctrinal discussions under the Word of God, grate-
fully confident that His Word will not return void of the results

He wants. Submitted in the name of the joint committees
by Hersert J. Bouman, Secretary

Recommendations of Committee 3

IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON
AND OF THE HOLY GHOST

It is with deep gratitude to almighty God that we are able to
report that through the efforts of the Joint Union Committee
commendable progress has been made in the direction of restoring
mutual trust and understanding among the constituent bodies of
the Synodical Conference. This Committee has since January 1957
met on numerous occasions and expended tireless energy in its
task of reaching out toward unity of doctrine and practice in the
Synodical Conference. This is evident from the “Statement on
Scripture” adopted by the Joint Union Committee of the Synodical
Conference. (Pages 5 ff., Reports and Memorials)

Having examined this “Statement” we recommend:

1. That we thank God that He has preserved us in full agree-
ment on the all-important doctrine concerning Scripture;

2. That we express our gratitude to the Joint Union Committee

for the work it has thus far accomplished in its efforts to

reach agreement on controversial issues;

Furthermore, in the area of motivation for the Christian life,
extensive agreement respecting the principles underlying an evalu-
ation of the Scout movement was brought to light. It must be
admitted that a resolution of divergent opinions on all specifics of
application must wait on further study and discussion. Beyond
question much progress has been made. The joint committee has