LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 32

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32 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS

ist der wahre Leib und Blut unseres Herrn Jesu Christi.” and
noting that a literal. word-for-word translation would include
the word ‘true’ before “body and blood.” and that the translation
given is meant to be understood in that sense. (Cf. 1967 Conven-
tion Workbook, pp. 244 — 245)

H. “What Is a Doctrine?”

1971 Resolution 2-48 asked the commission to consider
whether it had used the word ‘‘doctrine” correctly in the com-
mission’s document entitled “A Review of the Question ‘What
Is a Doctrine?’ After reviewing this matter, the commission
concluded that its document uses the term ‘“‘doctrine” in a man-
ner consistent with its usage in the Formula of Concord.

Prior to the 1971 convention, the commission's opinion was
requested by the Board of Control of a synodical institution with
regard to the proper interpretation of the document entitled
“A Review of the Question ‘What Is a Doctrine?’ ” Because the
commission’s statement was adopted too late for inclusion in the
commission’s report to the 1971 synodical convention, it is
included in this report as Appendix B. The commission recom-
mends:

8. That this statement be received by the Synod as a further
explication of the question “What Is a Doctrine?” and be com-
mended to the membership of the Synod for reference and
guidance.

I. Resurrection and Immortality

Several years ago, the commission prepared a document
entitled “A Statement on Death, Resurrection, and Immorality.”
Because this document was inadvertently omitted from the
1971 convention Workbook. the convention referred this matter
to the 1973 convention for action (cf. Res. 2-41). The document
is included in the Appendix to this WORKBOOK. The commission
recommends:

9. That the Synod commend the position paper entitled
“A Statement on Death. Resurrection. and Immortality” to its
membership for reference and guidance.

J. Evangelism
“Key 73° Guidelines

The 1971 synodical convention was concerned that the
Synod’s participation in the ‘Key 73” evangelism effort be con-
sistent with the Synod’s fellowship principles and confessional
integrity. Accordingly, 1971 Resolution 8-02 directed the com-
mission to prepare guidelines for the Synod’s participation in
“Key 73.” The commission adopted such guidelines and shared
them with the church in the fall of 1972. They are included with
this report as Appendix C.

Confrontation Evangelism

The synodical Board of Evangelism has requested the com-
mission to make a theological study of various types of con-
frontation evangelism in use in the Synod today, and to provide
guidance “toward a soundly Lutheran theology of evangelism
in counterpoint to other theologies and practices (such as the
Kennedy Plan, Campus Crusade, and the Billy Graham Cru-
sades).”" The commission hopes to complete its study of this
matter in the very near future and share its findings with the
Board of Evangelism.

K. Public Offense and Discipline

Prior to the 1971 convention, the commission began a study
to determine proper evangelical and fraternal procedures for
Christians to follow when public offense is given. 1971 Resolu-
tion 2-51 affirmed the Biblical and confessional right to rebuke
public sin and called upon the CTCR to study the matter of
appropriate procedures in the case of public offense. This study
has not yet been completed.

L. “A Study of Generations"

Members of the commission have participated in several
conferences pertaining to this significant study of Lutheran
attitudes and beliefs. A committee of the commission is presently
at work evaluating the significance of the findings of this study.

M. Communion Practices

1971 Resolution 2-13 asked the President of the Synod to
appoint a committee composed of members of the commission
and members of the Commission on Worship ‘“‘to make a com-
prehensive study of communion practices and policies and
report through the CTCR to the next synodical convention.”
The joint committee appointed by the President has met to
identify the issues that are in particular need of attention and
has drafted a tentative statement which is currently being dis-
cussed by the committee and the sponsoring commissions. It is
hoped that the completed statement will be available to the
church early in the next biennium.

N. Theological Opinions

During the past biennium, the commission has been re-
quested to offer theological opinions on a number of important
questions. The requests and the commission’s actions are indi-
cated below:

1. The Board of Control of a synodical educational institution
asked the commission’s opinion on a theological essay dealing
with the question of possible discrepancies in Holy Scripture.
The commission responded that its opinion on that question
would be expressed in connection with documents in prepara-
tion on the subject of Biblical authority and interpretation.

2. A District Commission of Adjudication asked the com-
mission’s opinion on the question: ‘(Can a person experience a
spiritual awakening prior to being born again?” The commis-
sion’s five-page opinion, which was adopted in March 1972 notes
that the answer to the question “will vary according to the way
‘being born again’ is understood.”

3. A synodical board requested the commission’s opinion on
the theological adequacy of several essays dealing with the
mission of the church. The commission responded that its opin-
ion on the subject matter treated in the essays could be ascer-
tained from the statement presently being prepared by the
commission on the mission of the church.

4. In March 1972 the commission passed the following reso-
lution with reference to President Preus’s A Statement of Scrip-
tural and Confessional Principles:

WHEREAS, The President in consultation with the Vice-Presidents
has produced a document entitled A Statement of Scriptural and
Confessional Principles: and

WHEREAS. The President has suggested that the members of the
Synod study this Statement: therefore be it

Resolved, That the CTCR commend the President for producing
this Statement and sharing it with the church; and be it further

Resolved, That we recommend the Statement for study in con-
ferences and congregations; and be it finally

Resolved, That the CTCR express its desire that the use of this
Statement assist the Synod in the ‘‘conservation and promotion of the
unity of the true faith.” (Constitution, Article III)

In its November 1972 meeting the commission took note of
the fact that serious charges had been leveled against the doc-
trinal content of the President’s Statement. Because such
charges made it difficult for the commission to discharge its
church relations responsibilities effectively, the commission
(which had received the Statement for study more than 8 months
previously) adopted the following statement without a dissent-
ing vote (there were two abstentions):

Since its formation in 1962, the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations has been charged with the responsibility of assisting
the President of the Synod at his request “in dealing with other
church bodies” and ‘‘in initiating and pursuing fellowship discussions
with other church bodies.” (Bylaw 2.109 b 2 bb, ec)

It has also been given the responsibility of providing “guidance
to the Synod in matters of theology and church relations” (Bylaw
2.109 b 1), and in “fostering and preserving the unity of faith within
the Synod.” (Bylaw 2.109 b 2 aa)

In attempting to carry out these responsibilities both the President
of the Synod and members of the CTCR have found that charges
leveled against the doctrinal content of A Statement of Scriptural
and Confessional Principles have been detrimental to their efforts
in both of these areas. In view of the foregoing the CTCR issues the
following theological opinion concerning this document:

We find the doctrinal content of A Statement to be in accord urith
the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and to contain nothing
contrary to them. We also find the doctrinal content of A Statement
of Scriptural and Confessional Principles to be in accord with the
doctrinal position of The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod as it has