LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 97

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

THEOLOGY AND CHURCH RELATIONS 97

WHEREAS, Some have undermined confidence in this process
by criticizing certain resolutions without analyzing the situations
to which they were addressed (e. g., condemnation of charging
interest; condemnation of life insurance); and

WHEREAS. Some have objected to the bindingness of doctrinal
resolutions simply because they have confused bindingness with
permanence, a totally different issue; and

WHEREAS, There is Scriptural precedence for the principle
that dynamic applications of permanent truth are expected to
expire with changes in the situations they face (cf. John 4:21;
Acts 10:15; 15:20; 1 Cor. 11:16; Gal. 5:3; Col. 2:17; similarly Gen.
3:22; 6:3; 12:3; 1 Cor. 7:27; et al.); and

WHEREAS, Our synod has implicitly recognized the limited
applicability of doctrinal resolutions by neglecting to translate
ancient rulings from the German and by declining to ransack
the synodical archives whenever new issues are raised: and

WHEREAS, New challenges to truth and right practice seem to
leave doctrinal formulations designed to counter them as an
inappropriate residue if they are regarded as being valid for
too long a time; therefore be it

Resolved. That we recognize the concept of ‘norma pro
tempore” and apply it to all doctrinal resolutions which originate
in the floor committee on theological matters and be it further

Resolved. That the normal period during which we honor
“norma pro tempore” as valid and appropriate expressions of
the eternal word of God be no more than 30 years after their
latest reaffirmation by synodical resolution; and be it further

Resolved. That doctrinal formulations expressed by synodical
resolutions without substantial reaffirmation within 30 years be
considered to have expired without ceremony or repudiation;
and be it further

Resolved. That a consistory be appointed by the President
of the Synod to receive evidence that the prevailing cultural
context differs materially from that to which the Synod ad-
dressed itself by doctrinal resolutions in parliamentary action
and shall make a judgment as to whether significant variables in
the passing scene have indeed changed the situation materially,
and if so, shall declare the ‘norma pro tempore” to have expired
before the 30-year period has elapsed; and be it further

Resolved. That the consistory be composed of five men hold-
ing no other synodical office, for 5-year staggered terms: and be
it further

Resolved. That the consistory recognize the persistence of
certain modern falsehoods by requesting the reaffirmation of
specific resolutions and by selecting doctrinal statements which
the Synod has been obliged to reassert over a period of more
than 30 years and recommend their inclusion in the ‘‘norma
normata”’; and be it further

Resolved. That the consistory recommend more detailed
procedures for expanding our confessional base; and be it
finally

Resolved. That we reject both the concepts of ‘doctrinal
development” and of “sectarian peculiarity” as distortions of our
unlimited appropriation of revealed truth to our current needs.

Hope Lutheran Church
San Leandro, Calif.
Roberta Strom, Secretary

3-115

To Provide Continuity to Formulation
of Doctrinal Resolutions

WHEREAS, Doctrinal resolutions are approved not only be-
cause they accurately express Scriptural truth but also because
such expressions are deemed pertinent to current issues,
salutary to the purposes of the Synod, and felt to redound to the
glory of God in the prevailing thought world; and

WHEREAS, Agreement on the wisdom of expressing these
truths may require discussions extending beyond the time
available for sessions; and

WHEREAS, Such determination is quite different from the

functions of the CTCR, which does not normally deal with
parliamentary formulations but with doctrinal analyses, study
documents, and church relations, an assignment which keeps
the commission fully occupied (Bylaw 2.109 d); therefore be it

Resolved. That the President appoint from the floor com-
mittee on doctrine a standing committee to continue working
on such resolutions as have not been acted on by the conven-
tion, as have been recommitted, or rejected; and be it further

Resolved, That this standing committee on doctrinal matters
submit corresponding resolutions to the next convention, which
resolutions shall receive priority consideration without passing
through the new floor committee on theological matters: and

WHEREAS. The Bylaws state that delegates shall serve for a
2-year term (1.51); therefore be it

Resolved. That this standing committee on doctrinal resolu-
tions be automatically dissolved when the Synod reconvenes.

Hope Lutheran Church
San Leandro, Calif.
Roberta Strom, Secretary

3-116

To Impose Restraints on Formulation
of Doctrinal Resolutions

WHEREAS, There has been growing doubt about the ade-
quacy of our method of formulating and adopting doctrinal
resolutions and even of the competency of the deliberators: and

WHEREAS, Some of this doubt is occasioned by parliamentary
maneuvers which amend sound formulations so that they
become political accommodations; therefore be it

Resolved. That no resolution originating in the floor commit-
tee on doctrine shall be subject to amendment or substitution
on the floor of the convention without committee approval but
must be either adopted, recommitted for rewording, or rejected.

Hope Lutheran Church,
San Leandro, Calif.
Roberta Strom, Secretary

3-117

To Adopt More Formal Statements
of Belief

WHEREAS. The Synod has agreed on the necessity of doc-
trinal statements on issues in controversy to make clear its
understanding of Scriptural teaching: and

WHEREAS, The Synod in convention has provided a way
whereby more formal statements of belief may be formulated
and adopted (Res. 5-21, 1971 Milwaukee convention); and

WHEREAS. Further clarification is needed regarding the
resolutions to which such a designation applies and regarding
the way in which such resolutions are to be adopted: therefore
be it

Resolved. That the Synod in convention assembled declare
that in addition to A Statement. adopted by the New Orleans
convention of 1973, it regard as “more formal statements of
belief” in the sense of the Milwaukee resolution, which state-
ments are to be honored and upheld as valid interpretations of
Christian doctrine, the 19 theses on “Church and Ministry”
adopted and approved at Milwaukee in 1851, the ‘Thirteen
Theses” on predestination adopted by the Synod at Fort
Wayne in 1881, and A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position
of the Missouri Synod. adopted in 1932: and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod in convention assembled declare
that it regard as “‘officially authorized groups’ in the sense of
Res. 5-21 of the Milwaukee convention the President of the
Synod, who has the responsibility of doctrinal supervision; the
Commission on Theology and Church Relations: and any
special committee elected or appointed by a convention for the
drawing up of a needed doctrinal statement; and be it further

Resolved. That such a doctrinal statement be presented to