LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 60

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60 THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS
official list of Missouri Synod Pastors and teachers and be when all the references in the New Testament use mas-
declared ineligible for a call in the Missouri Synod; and be culine gender words to refer to office holders. We think of
it further the recent reference of the Lutheran Witness which seemed
Resolved, That this function be carried out by the Presi- to be proud that there are now several instances of “women
dent of the LCMS; and be it further elders” in the Mo, Synod: and
Resolved, That notification of this action be published in _ WHEREAS, The objects of the Synod as stated in the Con-
the Lutheran Witness and any other such publication used stitution, Art. III 1 are given as the conservation and pro-
for official notification of this kind: and be it further Motion of the unity of the true faith and united defense

against schism and sectarianism,” and Art. VIII states, “No

Resolved, That students at Valparaiso University be noti- resolution is of binding force if it is not in accordance with

fied that the instruction of such a professor or instructor is i,
against the official position of The Lutheran Church — Mis- the Word of God”: and .
souri Synod; and be it finally Whereas, The resolution passed at Denver has now ef-

Resolved, That if the trustees of Valparaiso University and thus h
do not submit to this resolution of the Synod, the Synod n us
shall call upon its membership to withhold financial support
from the university.

St. JouN’s LUTHERAN CHurRcH Resolved, That the Synod assembled in convention at
Port Hope, Mich. New Orleans be urged to rescind the resolution on woman
Lester Ender, President suffrage passed at Denver.

Nathan Kaufman, Secretary ZION LUTHERAN CuHurRcH
Richard A. Nelson, Pastor Surrey, B.C.

A. Bucholtz, President
T. C. Forde, Secretary
STATUS OF WOMEN

2-40 2-41

To Rescind Woman Suffrage Resolution To Rescind Woman Suffrage

Wuereas, The Missouri Synod claims to be a Scripture- Wuereas, The Missouri Synod is bound by clear state-
oriented Synod: and ments of Scripture: and

WHEREAS, The Scriptures have spoken quite plainly on Wuergas, The concern for women suffrage in the Chris-
the matter: See 1 Tim. 2:11-15: “Women are to learn in tian community seems largely due to a lack of understand-
silence,” “Not to teach or usurp authority over a man,” but ing of the Scriptural position of man as the head of the
“to be in silence,” since she was created AFTER man and church and family, e.g, 1 Cor. 11:3:
FOR man (Gen. 2:18, 20 and “HELP meet for him”) and But I would have you know, that the head of every man is
since she was deceived she is to be “ruled” by the man Christ; and the head of the woman is the man: and the head

(Gen. 3:16), 1 Cor, 11:2-16, woman js subordinated to man of Christ is God;
her “HEAD” (as Peter Brunner has so well pointed out in and 1 Tim. 3:12:

his “The Ministry and the Ministry of Women”). 1 Cor. 14: Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their chil-
34-38, the “women are to keep silence in the assemblies,” dren and their own houses well;
‘Not permitted to speak,” “Under obedience, as also saith and also to a lack of understanding of the Scriptural position
the Law,” “If they will learn anything, let them ask their of woman as enabler, e. g., Prov. 31:10-31:
husbands AT HOME, “Tt wa shame for women to speak Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above
in the assembly,” And if any one thinks he is a prophet iepies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so
‘ , ‘ is “Snips ” ‘ that he shall have no need of spoil. She will do him good and
(and eioatt th resolutions) OAS Spiritual ict , him not evil all the days of her life. She seeketh wool, and flax,
ac. now/edge tha ese things are commandment of the and worketh willingly with her hands. She is like the mer-
Lord. chants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. She riseth also
There are many other Scriptures not touched on which while it is yet night, and giveth Nideret, nen household, and
are to this point: é Prov, 31:23 f- Is. 3:8- d a portion to her maidens. She considereth a field, and buyeth
P »@€8, vol: ny 28.0787 an it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. She
Wuereas, A study of the report of the CTCR on “Woman girdeth her a with Strength, and. strengtheneth her arms.
. ” . + . € perceive a er merchan ise 1S good: er candle Boe
Suftrage in the Church reveals that, in Spite of the repeated not out by night. She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
referrals, no committee could find any reason to change the hands hold the distaff. She stretcharh out her hand to the poor:
traditional position, until the very end, when after question- yea, she reacheth forth her hands to. the needy, ene re not
; iti ity : : afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are
ing the traditional rede and Tonite it AN of ee the clothed with <carlet. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
conclusion was reached, page 10, par. 6: ol these con- her clothing is silk and purple. Her husband is known in the
siderations SUGGEST that the matter of the franchise as it gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. She maketh
relates to the participation of women is NOT SHARPLY a iinen, cnathe een iti and re yeaeth, girdles unto the Chall
+ : + ‘ : cnant. reng an onour are er clo ing: an she sha
lineated in the New Testament. Since no doctrinal point can rejoice in time to come. She openeth her mouth with wisdom:
be established except on the basis of a clear passage, the and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to
church cannot, on the basis of the text discussed, adopt the ways of nerine usenold, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
, } ; ‘ rr ‘ , er children arise up, an ca er essed; er usban also,
any binding regulations on these matters, . Yet, without any and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but
clear passage” the Synod passed a resolution which has re- thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
peatedly been referred to as the Synod voted “to give the but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. Give
women the right to vote and to hold office.” ead of the fruits of her hands: and let her own works praise
Further the report suggested that the passages quoted did ° . © Bates:
not refer to “business Meetings” but only to “worship meet- and 1 Tim. 2: 9-15:
ings,” but by what right? “Authority” and “voting” have In like manner also, that Women adorn themselves in modest
to do with business rather than with worship meetings, do apparel vas ghamefacedness and rays bat teh proided
they not? alr, or gold, or pear Ss. or cos! y array; u whic. ecome
p women professing R0dliness) with good works. Let the woman
; The report, page 4, par. 4, also shows that the report was learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not 4 woman
influenced by the thinking of the world on this subject, but to teach prer to usuro authority over the wan. but to be in
‘ . silence. or am was rs ormed, en ve. n am was
ibe apostle admonishes the people of God, Rom. 12:2, NOT not deceived. but the woman being deceived was in the trans-
to be conformed to the world in| proving what the “ac gression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing,
ceptable and perfect will of God is,” and our Savior tells us, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with so-
Matt. 5, we are to be the SALT of the cach and the LIGHT briety;
of the world, instead of following the world in its think- and
ing; and ; Wuereas, The franchise in itself carries with it equal au-
WHEREAS, The Synod does not have the right to “give the thority with men and leaves the woman exercising it not
women the right to vote and to hold office” especially not “under subjection” to man; and