LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 352

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

352 HIGHER EDUCATION

WHEREAS. In reply to dissent against “A Statement” the
CTCR has reasserted the harmony and agreement of “A State-
ment” with the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions: and

WHEREAS, “A Statement” directs itself to the heart of the
theological controversies in the Synod today: therefore be it

Resolred, That the Synod in convention assembled endorse
the statement of the CTCR with reference to ‘A Statement”:
and be it further

Resolved. That the Synod submit “A Statement” to every
faculty member of every college and seminary in the Synod and
demand that each faculty member sign a declaration in which
he subscribes to “A Statement’ without reservation and also
promises to teach within the theological framework of “A State-
ment”: and be it further

Resolved. That should any faculty member refuse to sign
such a declaration. he be dismissed from his position immedi-
ately: and be it finally

Resolved. That such decisive action be implemented no later
than Sept. 1, 1975.
Mount Hope Lutheran Church
Casper. Wyoming
Richard Means, President
Dennis Burwell, Secretary
J. B. Brown, Pastor

6-115

To Prohibit Historical-Critical
Method in Our Schools

WHEREAS, We of St. James Lutheran Church desire to ex-
press our gratitude to President J. A. O. Preus and other
synodical officials, who under the guidance of the Holy Spirit
courageously confronted the improper or false teaching at
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Mo.: and

WHEREAS. Such false teaching is the inevitable result of the
use of the historical-critical tool of Biblical interpretation, un-
worthy of application to the Word of God provided for us by
chosen servants of God writing under the inspiration of God; and

WHEREAS, Since false teaching generally comes about
quietly and deviously; therefore be it

Resolved. That it behooves our Synod, our leaders, our
churches, and educational institutions, at all levels, to exercise
all diligence to make certain that no instructor who believes or
teaches contrary to the clear Word of God is retained: and be
it further

Resolved. With regard to the theories of the historical-critical
method, which are inimical to Biblical truth, no one who is
unqualified or unwilling to refute this false theory should be
permitted to profess this subject matter at any level in our
educational institutions, because in the absence of such a policy
it would be better to have no school at all: therefore be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod, under the direction of the Holy
Spirit, divest itself of false teachers, strife, and contention, to
the end that we can unite in service to our Lord and King and to
the precious truth He has taught.

St. James Lutheran Church
University City, Mo.

John Essen, President

Carl Meinecke. Secretary
Tom Baker, Pastor

6-116

To Insist that Theological Faculties
Teach in Harmony with Article II

WHEREAS, It has been clearly shown and stated in Resolution
3.09 (adopted as amended) of the 1973 New Orleans convention
that the “theological, doctrinal stance of the faculty majority
of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has been shown to be in viola-
tion of Article II of the Synod’s Constitution,” on the following
points:

1) subversion of the authority of Scripture:

2) “Gospel reductionism,” reducing the authority of the
Scripture to its Gospel content:

3) denial of the function of the Law as a guide for the Chris-
tian life; and

WHEREAS. Claims of adherence to Article II of the Constitu-
tion of the Synod by the former St. Louis seminary faculty
majority have been made. the real truth of the matter is that
there is no longer agreement as to what Article II of the Consti-
tution means: and

WHEREAS. In the Synod's 128-year history, synodical conven-
tions, via their doctrinal resolutions. have not only reaffirmed
Article II of Synod’s Constitution but have actually determined
its interpretation for our Synod; and

WHEREAS. The theological and doctrinal stance of the former
St. Louis seminary faculty majority declared in the following,
“Response of the Faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis”
to Dr. Preus’s A Statement (April 4, 1972); Faithful to Our
Calling. Faithful to Our Lord. Parts I & II (Dec. 1972): “Re-
sponse of the Faculty of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, to the
‘Report of the Synodical President’” (May 22, 1973): and
Concordia Theological Monthly of the past 5 years, is not in
accord with the Synod’s interpretation of Article II of the
Constitution; and

WHEREAS, The former St. Louis seminary faculty majority
has engaged in activities that have not illuminated the doctrinal
issues but rather have obscured and confused them; and

WHEREAS. The former faculty majority has given little evi-
dence to the church of their desire to be reconciled and has
openly defied all those placed over them in authority who have
sought reconciliation: therefore be it

Resolved. That all theological faculties in the Synod must
be bound to teach only in accordance with our Synod’s under-
standing of Article II of the Constitution; and be it further

Resolved. That we exhort and demand of the Board of Con-
trol of the St. Louis seminary, Board of Directors of the Synod,
Board for Higher Education of the Synod, and the synodical
President, in spite of the opposition and misunderstanding:

1) to continue on its course of offering reconciliation and
exercising discipline rather than compromise:

2) to continue its course of maintaining the doctrine of the
Scriptures as the Synod has expressed it: and

3) to avoid all compromises that would put a cloud of un-
certainty on our Synod’s doctrine of Scripture. regardless
of cost: and be it finally

Resolved. That those in authority in the Synod take to heart

St. Paul’s admonition in Rom. 16:17-18: “And now I implore you,
my brothers, to keep a watchful eye on those who cause trouble
and make difficulties among you, in plain Opposition to the teach-
ing you have been given, and steer clear of them. Such men do
not really serve our Lord Christ at all but are utterly self-
centered. Yet with their plausible and attractive arguments they
deceive those who are too simplehearted to see through them.”
(Phillips)

St. John’s Lutheran Church
Dieterich, IIl.

Delbert Mundt, President
Philip Kaufmann, Pastor

St. Paul’s Lutheran Church
Wheeler, IIl.

Sam Ragsdale, Chairman
Philip Kaufmann, Pastor

6-117

To Require Proper Procedure for
Faculty Dissent

WHEREAS, The members of Grace Lutheran Church, LCMS,
Moses Lake, Wash., believe that the synodical Constitution and
Bylaws serve as administrative guideline: therefore be it

Resolved, That our synodical President (and others elected
on a synodical, District, or local level) use the powers vested in
them under the Constitution: and be it further

Resolved, That the chain of command and responsibility be
adhered to in matters concerning the Board of Control and
Boards of Education as indicated in the Constitution: and be it
further