LCMS Convention Proceedings St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 95

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RESOLUTIONS 95

Proceedings, p. 106; Milwaukee Resolutions 2-21 and 5-
24, 1971 Proceedings, pp. 117 ff. and 163 ff.; New Orleans
Resolution 2-12, 1973 Proceedings, pp. 111 ff.); therefore
be it
Resolved, That the Synod adopt the opinion of the
Commission on Constitutional Matters (App. 5-01B; CW,
p. 206):
In order to give witness to its faith in the face of contempo-
rary issues and in order to settle controversies within its
own midst, the Synod has the right to adopt doctrinal
resolutions and to ask its members to uphold them. In doing
so the Synod cannot and does not establish new doctrines but
merely gives joyful assent to what in its conviction is taught
in the sacred Scriptures. Indeed, insofar as such resolutions
are in accord with the Scriptures they are binding on those
who accept Article II of the Synod’s Constitution.

And be it further

Resolved, That a special committee be appointed by
the synodical President after consultation with the Vice-
Presidents, consisting of one member each from the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations, the
Commission on Constitutional Matters, the Council of
Presidents, the faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis,
the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary, Spring-
field, and the Concordia Historical Institute (with a view
that the committee consist of theologians, constitution-
alists, and church historians), which shall present to the
1977 convention a proposed addition to the Handbook in
order to set forth clearly:

a. The status of doctrinal statements as distinguished
from the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions;

b. The procedures for adoption of such statements;

c. The procedures for proper expression of dissent and
possible revision.

Action: Adopted (6).

(The convention declined to eliminate the first resolved and
also declined to consider Overture 3-94A as a substitute. After
the convention had voted to terminate debate after 30 minutes,
it adopted Res. 3-04.)

To Clarify Declaration Concerning
“A Statement of Scriptural and
Confessional Principles”

RESOLUTION 3-05

Reports 3-01, I, A, 5-01, App. 5-01B (CW, pp. 39,
206—207), Overtures 3-56A—3-75, 3-91A—3-106C,
3-109—3-111, 3-119—3-121 (CW, pp. 79—86, 90—
96, 98— 100)

Wuereas, Concern has been expressed in a number of
overtures about the adoption of New Orleans Resolution
3-01, 1973 Proceedings, pp. 127-128, “A Statement of
Scriptural and Confessional Principles,” and also about
the use of the same; and

WuHeErEAS, About 50 of the 575 communications of
dissent received by the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations included specific theological objections,
and were helpful in evaluation and in the preparation of
the “Report on Dissent”; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod commend to its members for

reference and guidance the report titled “Guiding Princi-
ples for the Use of A Statement of Scriptural and Confes-
sional Principles with Special Reference to the Expres-
sion of Dissent” (1975 CW, pp. 468—470), the closing
sentences of which read:

A Statement is not to be used mechanically or legalistically
to discipline members of the Synod, but it is to be honored,
upheld, and used fraternally and evangelically throughout
the Synod in an effort to assist the Synod in remaining
faithful to its confessional position. Used in this way, A
Statement may, with the blessing of God’s Holy Spirit, serve
the “conservation and promotion of the unity of the true
faith” (Constitution, Article III) and aid the Synod in the
faithful proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all the
world.

And be it further

Resolved, That the Synod commend the document
titled “Report on Dissent” (1975 CW, pp. 462—467) to its
members for reference and guidance; and be it further

Resolved, That in the interest of clarification the
Synod instruct the CTCR to prepare and submit to the
1977 convention the following recommended revisions in
A Statement.

1. Article I, add a footnote explaining the term
“Anonymous Christians.”

2. Article II, while rightly ascribing an instructional
function to the Law, express more explicitly the accusing
function of the Law so that it is clearly stated that the
Law always instructs in such a way that it at the same
time shows the need for constant repentance in the life of
Christians.

3. Article III contain an additional antithesis reject-
ing any view of the church’s mission that fails to recog-
nize the witness value of deeds of love which flow from
faith.

4. Article IV contain a statement on prophecy that
recognizes and expresses the broader connotations of the
term “prophecy” in the Old Testament; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod adopt. the opinion of the
Commission on Constitutional Matters:

Since the Synod has the right to adopt doctrinal resolu-
tions, it also had the right to adopt Resolution 3-01.

In Resolution 3-01 the Synod approved a document
known as A Statement. That document therefore comes
under the provision of New Orleans Resolution 2-12: “That
the Synod reaffirm its position (Res. 2-21 and 5-24, Milwau-
kee Proceedings) that such statements, insofar as they are in
accord with the Scriptures, are, pursuant to Article II of the
Synod’s Constitution, binding upon all its members (cf. also
Article VII.”

However, the Synod cannot make A Statement binding
upon its members in the same sense in which the Scripture
is binding. Nor can it ask its members to bind themselves to
A Statement in the same manner in which they freely bind
themselves to the Lutheran Confessions.

Resolution 3-01 does not broaden the confessional base of
the Synod. It was not offered as a constitutional amendment.
It is to be recognized as a properly adopted resolution. In it
the Synod determined that A Statement defines the corporate
position of the Synod and sets forth the public teaching of
the Synod.

The adoption of Resolution 3-01 by the Synod does not
bind the individual conscience any more than any other
human document can; only Scripture should bind the consci-
ence. As Luther stated before the Diet of Worms:

“Unless I am convinced by the testimonies of the Holy
Scriptures or evident reason (for I believe neither in the
Pope nor Councils alone, since it has been established that