LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 436

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436

inspiration, (c) deny the unity of Scripture, and {d)
dilute the principle of Sola Scriptura; and

Wuereas, The CTCR has recommended to the Synod
that any method which tends to deny the divine charac-
ter and authority of Scripture be rejected and repudi-
ated by the Synod; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod concur in the general
judgment of the CTCR with regard to the Historical
Critical Method (cf. CW, p. 30): and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod repudiate the use of the
Historical Critical Method. or any other method which
operates with the same presuppositions and procedures,
and so direct that it not be employed at its colleges and
seminaries in the task of interpreting the Scriptures;
and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod beseech its pastors, teach-
ers, and congregations to exercise great care and vigi-
lance in carrying out their responsibilities in the area of
Biblical interpretation and instruction, to the end that
throughout our Synod only such principles of Biblical
interpretation shall be employed as are in harmony with
historic Lutheran doctrine regarding the authority of
the canonical text, the inspiration and the unity of
Scripture, and the principle of Sola Scriptura.

To Continue Evaluation of the Synod's
Membership and Participation in LCUSA

RESOLUTION 2-39

Overtures 2-04, 2-05, 2-115A through 2-121 (CW, pp. 47
—48, 80—82)

The Lutheran Church — Missouri Synod joined
LCUSA asa result of convention action in 1965 (Resolu-
tion 3-12, 1965 Proceedings, p.110) with the intention
of establishing a forum enabling Lutheran church
bodies, “to seek to achieve theological consensus in a
systematic and continuing way on the basis of Scrip-
tures and the witness of the Lutheran Confessions”
(LCUSA Constitution, Article IV) and also to become
an agency through which the Synod might carry out
joint Lutheran activities consistent with our fellowship
principles. Inter-Lutheran participation within the
structured agency of LCUSA has received both com-
mendation and criticism. Resolution 3-18 of the 197)
synodical convention (1971 Proceedings, pp. 133134)
directed the President of the Synod “to petition the
proper persons or boards of LCUSA to institute an in-
dependent and objective study of all its operations,”
particularly the need for the various divisions of
LCUSA, the policies, fiscal programs and procedures.
The Board of Directors has reported on the results of
this study to date (CW, p. 47 f.). The Milwaukee resolu-
tion also made the President of the Synod “responsible
for study and evaluation of the Division of Theological
Studies of LCUSA ... to determine the extent to which
Synod’s participation in LCUSA is achieving or hin-
dering the promotion of unity in doctrine and practice:
and that the findings and recommendations be reported
to the Council of Presidents and to the next convention
of the Synod.” This study has not been completed.
Resolution 3-18 of the 1971 synodical convention also
authorized the Board of Directors “to determine on the
basis of need, the program and services of which the
Synod should avail itself and for which it will allocate
funds.”

Wuereas, The cost of the Synod's partcipation in
LCUSA (which was $742,000 in the 1972—73 fiscal year)
has been the cause of considerable concern within the
Synod; and

Wuereas, The Synod's Board of Directors is of the
opinion “that at the present moment in history the
Synod may well regard its participation in LCUSA as
primarily an investment in inter-Lutheran relation-
ships” (CW, p. 48); therefore be it

Resolved, That The Lutheran Church — Missouri
Synod continue membership in LCUSA on a selected
program basis in an effort to achieve its original objec-
tives of membership; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod request the Council to in-
tensify its efforts to “seek to achieve theological con-
sensus in a systematic and continuing way on the basis
of Scripture and the witness of the Lutheran Confes-
sions’; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s Board of Directors and
through them all boards and commissions be directed
to keep the programs and activities in the Council under

REFERRED RESOLUTIONS

continuing scrutiny in order to determine those pro-
grams in which the Synod should participate. basing
their judgment on such criteria as the effect on the
Synod’s doctrinal position. compatability with the
Synod's fellowship principles, economic feasibility, and
contribution to the achievement of the objectives of the
Council: and be it further

Resolved, That the synodical Board of Directors,
after consultation with the Commission on Theology and
Church Relations, attempt to effect a substantial reduc-
tion in the cost of the Synod's involvement in the Coun-
cil by withdrawing from any activities, departments,
offices. or divisions of the Council (with the exception
of the Division of Theological Studies) where this is
deemed advisable on the basis of the above criteria: and
be it finally

Resolved, That the study of the Lutheran Council
requested in 1971 Resolution 3-18 be completed at a
very early date, and that the findings be reported to the
Synod prior to the 1975 synodical convention.

To Urge Lutheran Church — Canada
to Determine Its Goals for Lutheran Unity

RESOLUTION 2-41

Reports 2-01, U, A and 4-07, C; Overture 2-159A—C
(CW, pp. 33, 181, 93)

Wuerezas, The Synod has encouraged Lutheran
Church — Canada to pursue the course of Lutheran
unity in Canada (Proceedings, 1971, Res. 3-09); and

Wuergas, The President of the Synod requested
LC-C to respond to the invitation of the Evangelical
Lutheran Church of Canada “to enter into official nego-
tiations to bring about a merger of the Canadian consti-
tuencies of the LCMS and the ELCC”: and

Wuereas, LC-C in its report to this convention (CW,
pp. 181—182) submits the resolution of response adopted
at the convention of the LC-C, February 16—18, 1973;
and

Wuereas, There are disparate opinions among the
Districts as to the best course to follow regarding Lu-
theran unity to carry out Christ's mission in Canada
more effectively; and

Whereas, It is desirable that the Synod's Canadian
constituency speak as nearly as possible with one voice
on the matter of the goal, shape, and scope of Lutheran
unity in Canada and how they deem best to achieve it:
therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod call upon the constituents
of the LCMS in Canada to set forth the goal. shape,
and scope of the type of unity they seek in Canada and
how they think they can best achieve them: and be it
further

Resolved, That this be done in consultation with the
CTCR and reported to the next LCMS convention: and
be it further

Resolved, That the resolution of response to the in-
vitation of the ELCC adopted by the Lutheran Church
— Canada (CW. p. 181) not be implemented (with the
exception of the provision for doctrinal discussion) until
the above provisions have been satisfied: and be it
finally

Resolved. That we pray that God will bless the ef-
forts of the Lutheran Church — Canada to carry out
Christ's mission in Canada.

To Recognize Concerns Regarding
Mission:Life Materials

RESOLUTION 2-42
Overtures 2-89, 2-90, 2-91 (CW, pp. 73—74)

Wuereas. The Mission: Life materials are intended to
provide parishes of the Synod with effective tools for
Christian education; and

Wuereas, The Board of Parish Education has assured
the Synod of careful attention to sound doctrine in de-
velopment. writing, and publishing of Mission: Life ma-
terials: and

WHEREAS, Members of the Synod continue to register
concern over the doctrinal content of Mission: Life cur-
riculum materials; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod direct Mission: Life editors
and writers to give faithful and adequate expression of
sound Lutheran doctrine in preparation of materials to
be used in parishes of the Synod: and be it further

Resolved, That the President of the Synod together
with the Board of Doctrinal Review be encouraged to
make every effort to insure careful and painstaking doc-
trinal review of Mission: Life materials (Handbook. XI,
B. 1 and 11.151): and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm Milwaukee Reso-
lution 7-20 (1971 Proceedings. p. 184) which encourages
congregations “to evaluate Mission: Life materials, and
to report their evaluations to the Board of Doctrinal
Review and the Board of Parish Education’: and be it
further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm Milwaukee Reso-
lution 7-20 which states in part: “that congregations be
encouraged to send all evaluations of Mission: Life ma-
terials to the Board of Doctrinal Review and Board of
Parish Education for consideration” and “that the Synod
remind every congregation of its responsibility to evalu-
ate critically all the materials used in its educational
program in order that they be soundly Scriptural and
that the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ predominate”:
and be it finally

Resolved, That congregations of the Synod continue
to implore the guidance of the Holy Spirit (in behalf of)
all those responsible for producing curriculum materials
and related teaching aids for Christian education.

To Decline Overture 2-88
RESOLUTION 2-43
Overture 2-88 (CW. p.73)

Wuereas, The Synod has provided for orderly calling
of candidates for the pastoral and teaching offices
(Handbook, 4.11, 4.09, 4.15): and

Wuereas. The Synod has provided for the orderly
doctrinal supervision of all the pastors and teachers
(Handbook, p. 20, Art. XI B, 1-3. p. 22, Art. XII. 6—8);
therefore be it

Resolved. That the Synod decline Overture 2-88
(CW. p. 72): and be it also

Resolved, That the membership of the Synod urge
the President, the District presidents. and the circuit
counselors to exercise doctrinal supervision. pledging
them support and cooperation in this exercise.

To Refer Request to Study Lay Diaconate
RESOLUTION 2-44
Overture 2-95 (CW. p. 75)

Wuereas. A brief statement concerning “The Nature
and Function of the Diaconate in the Lutheran Church”
(CW. p. 464) was included in the CTCR report. "The
Ministry and Its Relation to the Christian Church": and

Wuereas, The words “Lay Diaconate” are a new
term; therefore be it

Resolved, That the maker of Overture 2-95 submit
to the CTCR a more definitive description of the “Lay
Diaconate” for evaluation and recommendation.

To Continue Ecumenical Dialogs
RESOLUTION 2-45

Report 2-01, II; Overtures 2-164, 2-169 (CW, pp. 36, 94
to 95)

Wuerras, The CTCR has recommended “that the
Synod encourage its members to continue their interest
and participation in all ecumenical dialogs”: therefore
be it

Resolved, That the Synod acknowledge with thanks-
giving to God the blessings reached thus far in both
the Lutheran-Roman Catholic dialogs, as well as the
dialogs with other bodies in the Christian world; and
be it further

Resolved, That the Synod 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.

To Affirm the Inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures
RESOLUTION 2.46
Overtures 2-78A—B, 2-79, 2-80 (CW, p.70)

Wuereas, The Synod has repeatedly affirmed the in-
spiration and inerrancy of the Holy Scriptures, the
source and norm of all theology: therefore be it