Collection › LCMS Convention Workbook (St. Louis, Missouri) › 1973 · 50th Convention › Page 159
LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1973, Page 159

Scan: The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

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SEMINARY ISSUES 159

3-169

To Demand that BHE Reopen
Dr. Arlis Ehlen Case

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod
convention demand that the Board for Higher Education
reopen the case of Dr. Arlis Ehlen which it dealt with in its
meetings of May 1972 and June 1972 and meet with the
seminary Board of Control in joint hearings.

Reasons:

1. Since the case against Dr. Arlis Ehlen made by the
President of Synod amounts to a charge of false doctrine,
the action of the Board for Higher Education in refusing to
approve Dr. Ehlen’s contract is a de facto judgment of a
doctrinal dispute.

2. The Board for Higher Education heard testimony from
none of the principals, particularly Dr. Ehlen himself, nor
the seminary faculty, nor the administration.

3. The seminary Board of Control formally requested a
meeting with the Board for Higher Education on the Dr.
Ehlen case but was refused with no reasons given.

4. The Board for Higher Education is morally and fra-
ternally bound to the widest possible deliberation in con-
sidering a case of such gravity.

IMMANUEL LUTHERAN CHURCH
Amherst, Mass.

Charles Cole, President
Mrs. James Terrill, Secretary

3-170

To Admonish Dr. Ehlen

Wuereas, Dr. Arlis Ehlen has been relieved of his teach-
ing responsibilities on account of his opposition to synodically
adopted doctrinal resolutions; and

Wuereas, Dr. Arlis Ehlen has traveled extensively around
the country spreading his doctrinal aberrations even to the
laity; and

Wuereas, Dr. Arlis Ehlen by remaining ambiguous and
unclear in his presentations in various Districts gives an
untrue impression that he professes what the Synod has
always taught, and

Wuereas, Dr. Arlis Ehlen’s interviews with the public
press repeatedly cast doubts on the motivations of President
J. A. O. Preus: therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention call on Dr. Arlis
Ehlen to retract his doctrinal aberrations; and be it further
Resolved, That Dr. Arlis Ehlen be asked to apologize for
his [aforesaid } behavior and statements in the public press.

Trinity LUTHERAN CHURCH
Sturgis, Mich.

Bruce Schaeffer, Chairman
H. M. Heidenreich, Pastor

3-171

To Commend President J. A. O. Preus
and the Presidium for “Statement
of Scriptural and Confessional Principles”

Wuereas, Article XI B 1-3 of the Synod’s Constitution
lays upon the President of the Synod the “supervision re-
garding the doctrine and the administration” of the Synod;
an

Wuereas. President J. A. O. Preus and the presidium of
Synod in fulfillment of that responsibility, have submitted
a Statement of Scriptural and Con‘essional Principles as
“Guidelines,” the purpose of which “is not to serve as a new
standard of orthodoxy, but rather to assist the Board of
Control in identifying areas which may need further atten-
tion in terms of the Synod’s doctrinal position as it carries
out its responsibilities under the convention resolution”
(2-28, Milwaukee convention); and

Wuereas, The “Guidelines” were “sent out to congrega-
tions, pastors, and teachers of The Lutheran Church —
Missouri Synod as a part of the preliminary report to the
Synod under Res. 2-28," and the matter has not been fully
adjudicated; therefore be it

Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District in conven-
tion commend President J. A. O. Preus and the presidium
for their efforts as set forth in the “Guidelines” which reflect
the historical position of the Synod, witnessing to Scripture
and the Confessions; and be it further

Resolved, That we urge the congregations, as well as
pastoral and teachers conferences, of the South Wisconsin
District to use the Statement of Scriptural and Confessional
Principles as “Guidelines” for free and open study in voters’
assemblies, Bible classes, conferences, etc.; and be it further

Resolved, That we invoke the blessings of God upon such
studies that we may be of “one mind, one Lord, one faith,
one baptism”: and be it finally

Resolved, That the South Wisconsin District petition the
Synod in New Orleans to join us in commendation and sup-
port of President J. A. O. Preus and the presidium in their
efforts to maintain the historical, Scriptural, and confessional

position of the Synod. SouTH WISCONSIN DISTRICT

Robert A. Schmidt, Secretary

3-172
To Support Elected Officials

Wuereas, The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod has
been, and continues to be, disturbed by internal strife due to
doctrinal differences; and

WHEREAS, We are deeply concerned over the matters that
have brought about the present strife; and

Wuereas, We feel a need to make known our position
relative to this matter; therefore be it

Resolved. That we express our support for our elected
officials in their struggle to resolve the doctrinal differences
plaguing our Synod; and be it further

Resolved, That we especially encourage the President of
our Synod by assuring him of our support and prayers as
he seeks to lead our Synod aright in the midst of the
present crisis; and be it further

Resolved, That we call upon the Lord almighty to give
continued courage and strength to the President and other
elected officers of Synod so that they may stand firm in
the conviction of faith and doctrine as expressed in the docu-
ment A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles:
and be it finally

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be submitted to
the Synod convened at New Orleans for its consideration

and adoption. Kine of GLORY LUTHERAN CHURCH
Blaine, Minn.
Kenneth H. Ringey, Elder
Henry W. Moerer, Chairman

3-173
To Commend Dr. Preus

Wuereas, A controversy has arisen in our beloved Synod
concerning the source and norm of our teaching and doctrine
in the church which has caused divisions among us; and

Wuereas, This controversy arises over the discussion of
whether the Gospel is the source and norm of all our teach-
ing and doctrine or whether the Holy Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament is the source and norm of all our
teaching and doctrine; and

Wuereas, It has been our position from the founding of
our Synod that the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New
Testament is the source and norm of our teaching and
doctrine and the rule and norm of faith and practice. Cf.
Explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism, pp. 3943; The
Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri
Synod, paragraph “Of the Holy Scriptures,” 1947 synodical
convention resolution: Formula of Concord, Epitome Vv,
the Law and Gospel, p. 801, Concordia Triglotta; Large Cate-
chism, p. 607, Concordia Triglotta; and