LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 57

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 57

Wuergas. The divine Word also provides the Synod with
general and specific guidance for the consideration of all
doctrinal and theological matters in the life of the church,
namely

Ephesians 4:

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life
worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all
Jowliness and meekness, with patience. forbearing one another
in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of
peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called
to the one hope that belongs to your call, one Lord, one faith,
one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and
through all and in all. But grace was given to each of us accord-
ing to the measure of Christ's gift. (Vv. 1-7)

And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some proph-
ets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equip -
ment of the saints. for the work of ministry. for building up the
body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the
measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. so that we may
no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their crafti-
ness in deceitful wiles. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we
are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into
Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by
every joint with which it is supplied. when each vart is working
properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love. (Vv.
11-16)

Therefore, putting away falsehood. let every one speak the
truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.
Be angry but do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your
anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. (Vv. 25-27)

Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as
is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace
to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in
whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitter-
ness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away
from you, with all malice, and be kind to one another, tender-
hearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
(Vv. 29-32)

2 Timothy 4:1-2:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who
is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and
His kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of
season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience
and in teaching.

and Matthew 18:15-18. which provides more specific guid-
ance:

If your brother sins against you, g0 and tell him his fault.
between you and him alone. If he listens to you. you have
gained your brother, But if he does not listen, take one or two
others along with you, that every word may be confirmed by
the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to
them, tell it to the church: and if he refuses to listen even to
the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Truly, I say to you, whatever vou bind on earth shall be bound
in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in

eaven.

Wuereas, The doctrinal and theological matters that cur-
rently grip the Synod’s attention demand thoughtful and
careful analysis in an atmosphere of love for God and for
the brother if the purposes of God and His church are to
be served; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod deal with the various doctrinal
and theological matters that occupy its attention on the soli-
tary basis of the doctrinal and theological criteria prescribed
in Article II of the Synod’s Constitution (Synodical Hand-
book, p. 15); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod affirm its intention — God help-
ing it — to continue the discussion and study of the various
doctrinal and theological matters that currently grip the
Synod’s attention according to the principles of fellowship,
unity, and mutual love that pertain to the body of Christ;
and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod encourage its congregations and
Districts, its pastors, teachers, and professors to take and
make opportunity for mutual discussion and study of vari-
ous theological matters so that the various viewpoints and
positions are thoroughly understood, not in an atmosphere
of clamor, rancor, bitterness. and slander, but in an atmos-
phere that is informed by the overwhelming purpose of God
for His church as the body of Christ: and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod commit itself — God helping it
—to a course of unfailing patience motivated by the love
of God in Christ for the edifying of the whole body of
Christ, as the Synod strives joyously, purposefully, and lov-
ingly to correct and eliminate all offense in these matters,

both the offense of false teaching and the offense of false
accusation; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod beseech almighty God to
strengthen it with the power of the Holy Spirit so that the
Synod can deal evangelically with various doctrinal and

theological matters. FAcutty

Concorpia TEACHERS COLLEGE
Seward, Nebr.

W. Th. Janzow, President
James Nelesen, Secretary

2-30

To Commend, Provide for Further Action,
and Pray for Unity and Peace

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
commend the position of all church leaders who uphold the
Holy Scriptures and the Confessions of the Lutheran church
and their action that protects and furthers such position in
declaring adherence to the traditional Biblical doctrines of
the church; and be it further

Resolved, That all in a position of doctrinal supervision
initiate whatever additional action may be necessary to
maintain the preaching and the teaching of God’s Word in
its truth and purity in our midst; and be it finally

Resolved, That we pray for unity and peace in doctrine
and practice within the church that the total witness in the
mission of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ may go on
according to His will and with His blessing.

TRINITY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Jefferson City, Mo.

Raymond Loesch, President
Wm. C. Murphy, Secretary

To Define More Adequately
Doctrinal Supervision

Whereas. All of us are concerned about evangelical doc-
trinal supervision so that the Gospel is preserved among
us; and

Wuereas. The President of Synod and District Presidents
have been designated special responsibilities with regard to
doctrinal supervision: and

Wuereas, We believe this type of supervision should con-
tinue and serve our Lord and the church in the best pos-
sible way; and

Wuereas, In the past few years vague charges have been
made about certain pastors and teachers in our church with-
out the concerned person specifying the nature of the doc-
trinal concern; and

Wuereas, Many times the person vaguely charged never
has even been approached by the person having the con-
cern; and

Wuereas, Matthew 18 encourages us to present our con-
cerns directly to each other; and

Wuereas, This state of affairs has increased doubt and
fear and undermined mutual trust and love within our
church; and

Wuereas. A more honest and forthright discussion of doc-
trinal concerns could be carried out within our church if
people with concerns would specify what they believe to be
invalid, wrong, or false: therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
at New Orleans direct the synodical President and District
Presidents and all others who have responsibility with regard
to the supervision of doctrinal supervision that they insist
that concerned persons be specific about their charges and
also present those charges directly to the person in question
so that peace and harmony may again be established among
us and a more honest discussion of theological concerns

might take place. CALIFORNIA AND NevaDa DISTRICT

Theo. A. Iverson, Secretary