LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 79

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THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 79

with regard to controverted teachings of the particular time
(i.e.. Thirteen Theses on Predestination. 1881}: and

WHEREAS, It is not only the right but the obligation of the
Synod to settle theological controversies by adopting confes-
sional statements that declare clearly the commitment to the
Scriptures: and

WHEREAS. The Synod in 1971 reaffirmed “the desirability
of the formulation of doctrinal statements which clearly set
forth the teaching of the Holy Scriptures and apply them to
issues of our day” (Milwaukee Proceedings. Res. 2-21): there-
fore be it

Resolved. That we reaffirm the right. and at times the re-
quirement, of the Synod in convention to ‘formulate doctrinal
statements” that apply the teachings of Scripture and the Con-
fessions to issues currently in controversy within the church:
and be it further

Resolved. That we reaffirm the right, and at times the re-
quirement, of the Synod as spelled out under Article II of its
Constitution, reiterated in convention at New Orleans. 1973
(Res. 2-12), to formulate and adopt such statements of doctrine
as clearly delineate the position of the Synod as this relates to
the issues in controversy.

South Wisconsin District
Robert A. Schmidt. Secretary

3-55A

To Reaffirm New Orleans Convention
Resolution 2-12

WHEREAS. Some in our church have objected to the Synod’s
adoption of New Orleans synodical convention Resolution 2-12.
which defends the right and asserts the responsibility of the
Synod (1) to produce and adopt doctrinal statements as defini-
tive of the Synod’s position relative to controverted issues: and
(2) to regard these statements. insofar as they are in accord with
the Scriptures and the pattern of doctrine set forth in the Lu-
theran Confessions. as binding upon all the Synod’s members;
and

WHEREAS. The principal objections raised with reference
to the adoption of Resolution 2-12 (the allegations: The adoption
of Resolution 2-12 opens the way (a) to a broadening of the con-
fessional base of the Synod which is set forth in Article II of the
synodical Constitution, to a placing of synodically adopted doc-
trinal statements on a par with the Lutheran Confessions: and
(b) to an establishing of doctrine by a majority vote contrary to
Article VIII, C. of the Constitution, which provides that “‘all
matters of doctrine and of conscience shall be decided only by
the Word of God") have been shown to be completely invalid
by the considerable, cogent argumentation presented in the
Preamble to Resolution 2-12 itself and other materials issued
within the church both prior to and since the New Orleans
convention—compare, e.g.. Milwaukee synodical convention
Resolutions 2-21 and 5-24, together with their Preambles: also
the Commission on Constitutional Matters’ May 17, 1974, 'Con-
stitutional Opinion on New Orleans Resolutions 2-12: 3-01,
3-09": and

WHEREAS, With specific reference to Resolution 2-12 and the
constitutionality of its adoption the Commission on Constitu-
tional Matters has stated (May 17, 1974, “Opinion’’):

In order to give witness to its faith in the face of contemporary 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 resolu-
tions are in accord with the Scriptures they are binding on those
who accept Article II of the Synod’s Constitution:

therefore be it

Resolved. That The Lutheran Church— Missouri Synod as-
sembled in convention at Anaheim reaffirm New Orleans con-
vention Resolution 2-12.

Emmanuel Lutheran Church
Dearborn, Mich.

Donald Rueh. Secretary
John M. Gagern, Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-55B to 3-55Q

St. Peter's. Emery. S. Dak.
Emmanuel. Kingfisher. Okla.
Trinity. Scarsdale, N.Y.
Trinity. Enid, Okla.

St. Paul's. Centreville, Mich.
Zion. Big Springs. Nebr.
Our Savior’s, Pacifica, Calif.
Grace, Bakersfield, Calif.
First, Dinuba, Calif.

St. Paul's, Selma, Calif.

Dennis Anglaud
V.H. Mickow
Merlin Meyer

Harry Soper
Gene Kangas
Frederick Kwirant
John Rische

L. W. Faulstick

H. M. Sorensen

H. M. Sorensen

Trinity, Paso Robles, Calif. L. L. Brack
Zion, San Luis Obispo, Calif. D. Poganski
Our Savior, Pinole, Calif. Conrad Coyner
Shepherd, Kernville, Calif. A. T. Lewis

T. W. Polster
C. W. Keturakat

Our Savior, San Jose, Calif.
St. Luke, Santa Rosa, Calif.

* Fe x

3-564
To Rescind 3-01

WHEREAS. New Orleans Resolution 3-01 adopted A State-
ment as a “more formal statement of belief.” according to Mil-
waukee Resolution 5-24: and

WHEREAS. Milwaukee Resolution 5-24 provides that “more
formal statements of belief’ be adopted only after they have
been “produced by officially authorized groups, and ... then
presented to the congregations and clergy of the Synod for
study and discussion:"* and

WHEREAS. A Statement was originally produced and dis-
tributed only for the guidance of the Board of Control of the
St. Louis seminary: and

WHEREAS. -i Statement was specifically removed from the
category of a document that might become a quasi-confession
or “more formal statement of belief (cf. letter of March 3.
1972, of J. A. O. Preus: "The purpose of these guidelines is not
to serve as a new standard of orthodoxy. but rather to assist
the Board of Control in identifying areas which need further
attention in terms of Synod’s doctrinal position’): and

WHEREAS. Such a method of presentation of A Stateaent to
the clergy and congregations of The Lutheran Church— Mis-
souri Synod placed their requested study of that document
into a qualitatively different category. since it was declared to
be intended only for use by the Board of Control of the St. Louis
seminary: therefore be it

Resolved. That New Orleans Resolution 3-01 be rescinded
and that - Statement specifically not hold the position of “a
more formal statement of belief."

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Newark, Del.

Gary Zaiser, President

Carolyn Hawf, Secretary

Robert G. Heckmann. Pastor

Identical or similar:

3-56B to 3-56E

Our Redeemer, Scotia. N. Y.
Trinity, Schenectady, N. Y.

New England Dist. Brd. of Directors
Cross, Milwaukee, Wis.

Otto Spurgat
Arthur Hawlicheck
Robert Riedel
Joseph Ellwanger

3-57A

To Rescind New Orleans
Resolution 3-01

WHEREAS. Article II of the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church— Missouri Synod asks all members of the Synod to
accept without reservation the Scriptures of the Old and New
Testaments as their only rule and norm of faith and of practice