LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 45

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 45

I. Lutheran Council in the U.S. A.

During the past biennium the CTCR received regular
reports on the activities of the Lutheran Council. Of particular
interest to the commission is the work of the Division of Theo-
logical Studies. Representing the Synod on this division's
standing committee were Drs. Ralph Bohlmann, Theodore
Nickel, and Richard Schultz. In 1972 a major division study was
begun on "Discerning God’s Presence and Action in the World
Today" with a series of regional conferences. Further reflection
on the issues raised at these conferences resulted in two study
groups: one on “The Relationship of Lutheran Particularity
to Pluralism and Universalism.” the other on “The Categories
of ‘Secular’ and ‘Sacred’ and Their Implications for the Tradi-
tional Lutheran Categories of the Law/Gospel Dialectic and the
Doctrine of the ‘Two Kingdoms.’"' More recently a new study
has been initiated on “The Holy Spirit and His Manifestations
in the World Today.” Representatives from the Missouri Synod
have participated in each of these studies.

J. Lutheran World Federation

In accordance with 1971 Resolution 3-06, the CTCR evaluated
the Fifth General Assembly of the Lutheran World Federation,
held in Evian, France. in 1970. The commission’s evaluation
titled “Evian in Retrospect’ was adopted in March 1973 and
printed in the 1973 Workbook. pp.41f. On the basis of this
evaluation the CTCR recommended that the Synod keep in
contact with developments in the program of the Lutheran
World Federation but that the Synod respectfully decline to
make application for membership.

In July 1974 the Synod was invited to attend the executive
committee meeting of the LWF in Northfield, Minn. Rev. Samuel
H. Nafzger and Dr. Martin Lieske attended this meeting as
observers for the LCMS. Although the Missouri Synod is not
a member of the LWF. questions relating to the Missouri Synod’s
doctrinal controversy were discussed. The executive committee
decided to ask President Mikko Juva to write to Dr. Preus in
order to express the concern of the members of the LWF
Executive Committee for The Lutheran Church-— Missouri
Synod.

President Preus responded to Dr. Juva's letter by stating that
the Missouri Synod is ‘‘vitally interested in closer relationships
between our respective groups.” He also indicated that the
Missouri Synod would be most pleased to carry on doctrinal
discussions with the Lutheran World Federation and that he
would welcome conversation regarding the possibility of dis-
cussions “‘both in the area of possible cooperation and closer
relationships and particularly in the area of attempting to bring
about a higher degree of doctrinal consensus among the Lu-
therans of the world."

The commission recommends:

25.a. That the Synod keep in contact with developments in
the program of the LWF and encourage the President of the
Synod and the CTCR to arrange for ways of promoting theological
discussion with representatives from the LWF.

b. That in response to the Board of Directors referral of 1973
Resolution 2-11 the Synod respectfully decline to make applica-
tion for membership in the LWF at this time.

K. NCC and WCC

The commission has been asked by several conventions of
The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod to prepare materials
for the Synod on the National Council of Churches in Christ
and the World Council of Churches. Because of a backlog of
work, this assignment has not been completed. However.
chiefly through its Executive Secretary, who is a member of the
Faith and Order Commission of the NCC, the commission has
kept itself informed regarding developments in both organiza-
tions. In response to referral of 1973 Resolutions 2-10 and 2-14
to the CTCR by the Board of Directors, the commission recom-
mends:

26. That the Synod encourage the CTCR to continue to keep
itself informed concerning both the NCC and the WCC.

L. Ecumenical Dialogs
Lutheran-Reformed

A second series of conversations between representatives
of Lutheran and Reformed church bodies was held between

1972 and 1974. The purpose of these dialogs was “to assess the
consensus and the remaining differences in the theology and
life of the participating church bodies as they bear upon the
teaching of the Gospel in the current situation.’ Six meetings
were held. For a complete report of the LCMS representatives
see Appendix D at the end of this report. This series of con-
versations has now been completed.

Lutheran-Roman Catholic

Four meetings of Roman Catholic-Lutheran dialogs have
been held since 1973 on the questions of papal primacy and
infallibility. The essays presented during these discussions on
papal primacy have been published in Volume V of Lutherans
and Catholics in Dialogue. This volume. titled Papal Primacy
and the Universal Church. is available from Augsburg Publishing
House.

The question of papal infallibility is being studied Biblically,
historically. and doctrinally.

Lutheran-Orthodox-Reformed

During the past biennium a new dialog series was begun
between Lutherans. Orthodox. and Reformed. Representing
the LCMS were Drs. Warren Rubel and Ralph Bohlmann. In
the two meetings held during the biennium, major attention
was devoted to The Christian Gospel and Social Responsibility.”
“The Commission plans to continue following the result of these
conversations.

Lutheran-Episcopal Dialogs

A series of six dialogs between Lutherans and Episcopalians
was held between 1969 and 1972. The essays and statements
resulting from these meetings have been published by Forward
Movement Press under the title Lutheran Episcopal Dialogue:
A Progress Report. Plans for a new series of discussions are
being developed.

In response to the Board of Directors referral of 1973 Resolu-
tion 2-45 to the CTCR, the commission recommends:

27. That the Synod encourage the President of the Synod to
continue to participate on every level in ecumenical dialogs that
permit a clear witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as set forth
in the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions.

Guidelines for LCMS Participation in Ecumenical Dialogs

In response to a request from the President of the Synod, the
commission in March 1975 adopted guidelines for his assistance
in carrying out his responsibilities as the chief ecumenical officer
of the Synod. These guidelines are included with this report as
Appendix E.

It. AUXILIARY COMMITTEES
A. Bible Versions Committee

The Bible Versions Committee has met bimonthly since its
appointment. Much time was devoted to making a comparative
study of 10 of the most frequently used translations and para-
phrases. The passages listed under the Explanation of the
Second Article as found in the synodical catechism were the
basis for the study, attached to this report as Appendix F.

The comparative study materials included in this report
lend themselves well for use in Bible study groups. It is hoped
that such groups will use these materials to determine for them-
selves the effective usefulness of the translations and para-
phrases included.

Presently the committee has in process a more detailed study
of The New International Version—New Testament (NIV),
prepared under the auspices of the New York Bible Society.
A similar study of another recent translation is under considera-
tion.

B. Exchange Study Committee

The Exchange Study Committee. begun in 1954 and incor-
porated into the structure of the CTCR in 1962, has continued
to provide scholarship funds and arrange for the exchange of
professors between the Synod and its sister churches in various
parts of the world. See Appendix G for the complete report of
this committee. The commission recommends:

28. That the Synod encouraye the Commission on Theology
and Church Relations to develop and expand the exchange study
program as an important contribution to the theological growth
and enrichment of the church bodies inrolved.