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LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 87

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

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 87

WHEREAS, The resolution began with a highly subjective
and prejudicial account of the history of the controversy involv-
ing the former faculty; and

WHEREAS, Its Preamble is a series of grievous accusations
involving complex theological reasoning and highly debatable
judgments: and

WHEREAS, Our synodical Constitution clearly indicates that
matters of doctrine and conscience are not decided by majority
vote: and

WHEREAS. The entire resolution, with its Introduction and
Preamble, is the very antithesis of the way we are exhorted in
Holy Scripture to deal with one another in the body of Christ
(1 Cor. 1:4—4:21; 12:4-11; Eph. 4:1-16; Col. 3:12-17): therefore
be it

Resolved. That this convention declare Resolution 3-09 to be
null and void; and be it further

Resolved. That the convention express regrets that such
grievous charges were voted on in a forum where sheer size
and emotional climate made it impossible to deal with them
adequately and evangelically: and be it finally

Resolved. That the convention indicate clearly that the
majority vote of the convention in no way determined that the
former faculty or any member of it is guilty of false doctrine
which “cannot be tolerated in the church of God.”

Zion Lutheran Church
Ferguson, Mo.

Robert Negwer, President
Cheri Pick. Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-76B to 3-76G

Zion, Westwood, N. J.
Eastern District

Peace, New Berlin, Wis.

Our Savior, Orlando, Fla.
Faith, Kirksville, Mo.
University, Los Angeles, Calif.

Norman Brinkmann
Herman Frincke
Martin Bangert
Samuel! Hoard
Mark Appold

Roger Timm

3-T7A

To Rescind New Orleans Resolution 3-09

WHEREAS. The 1973 New Orleans Resolution 3-09 placed a
terrible judgment upon the majority of the former faculty of
Concordia Seminary. St. Louis: and

WHEREAS. It was a serious mistake to allow this type of
resolution to be debated at a convention: and

WHEREAS, The convention delegates (many not realizing
it) became a jury to judge the theology of people they did not
know: and

WHEREAS. This resolution paved the way for the Board of
Control’s February 1974 dismissal of the faculty majority:
therefore be it

Resolved. That the New Orleans Resolution 3-09 be re-
scinded: and be it futher

Resolved. That this convention apologize to the offended
faculty members for the unnecessary hurt and pain inflicted
on them: and be it finally

Resolved. That the Board of Control of Concordia Seminary
be instructed to help all dismissed faculty find adequate positions
of service and ministry within the church.

Grace Lutheran Church
Union, N. J.
James Edwards, Secretary

Identical or similar:

3-77B to 3-77F

First Trinity, Washington, D.C.
Trinity, Long Island City, N. Y.
Our Redeemer, Lake City, Fla.
Trinity, Carney’s Point, N. J.
Immanuel, New York, N. Y.

David Preisinger
Geo. Sommermeyer
James Bachman
Gerald Grimm
Raymond Schulze

3-78
To Rescind Res. 3-09

WHEREAS. Resolution 3-09 of the 1973 convention declares
that the ‘doctrinal stance of the faculty majority of Concordia
Seminary, St. Louis, has been shown to be in violation of Art. II
of the Synod's Constitution. specifically on...

a. subversion of the authority of Scripture (formal principle):

b. “Gospelism’” or “Gospel reductionism’ whereby the
authority of Scripture is reduced to its *Gospel’’ content:

c. denial of the third use of the Law. i. e., the function of the
Law as guide for the Christian in his life”: and

WHEREAS. The same resolution resolves that the “matters
referred to in the second resolved are in fact false doctrine
running counter to the Holy Scriptures. the Lutheran Confes-
sions, and the synodical stance™’: and

WHEREAS. The “matters referred to"’ are not the same as
those listed in the whereas quoted above, but to an “attitude
toward Holy Scripture. particularly as regards its authority and
clarity, which reduces to theological opinion or exegetical
questions matters which are in fact clearly taught in Scripture
(é. g.. facticity of miracle accounts and their details... ete.)”: and

WHEREAS. The declaring of false doctrine on the basis of an
“attitude”: and on the basis of examples (e. g.) which conclude
with an “etc.” is not clear and convincing: therefore be it

Resolved. That the LCMS in the 1975 convention rescind
Resolution 3-09 of the 1973 convention.

Texas Pastors-Teachers Conference #3
Katherine Bolland, Secretary

3-79

To Rescind 3-09 and Ask God's
Forgiveness

WHEREAS. Resolution 3-09 of the New Orleans Convention
condemns the “faculty majority position” of the former faculty
of Concordia Seminary. St. Louis: and

WHEREAS. The Commission on Constitutional Matters has
ruled that the above resolution does not condemn any of the
individuals among the ‘faculty majority": and

WHEREAS. This differentiation appears to many to be very
confusing if not completely incomprehensible: therefore be it

Resolved. That Res. 3-09 (N.O.) be rescinded: and be it
further

Resolved. That any substantiated charge against specific
individuals be documented by proper authorities, and if such
charges cannot be documented, that a resolution of apology be
tendered by this convention to those members of the former
‘faculty majority” against whom such charges cannot be made:
and be it finally

Resolved. That we all ask God’s forgiveness for allowing the
good name and livelihood of those men (against whom charges
cannot be made) to have been jeoparized.

St. Mark’s Lutheran Church
Milwaukee, Wis.

John Sinetz, Chairman
Beverly J. Fuchs, Secretary
David K. Rochrohr, Pastor

3-80

To Rescind N. O. Res. 3-09

WHEREAS. In Resolution 3-09 the convention of 1973 con-
demned the faculty majority of Concordia Seminary. St. Louis,
for teaching “false doctrine not to be tolerated in the church
of God” without due-process steps designated to assure fairness
and justice and without designating which faculty members
were being charged: and