LCMS Convention Workbook St. Louis, Missouri — 1975, Page 469

Transcription machine transcription, uncorrected

⤓ Download .txt · copy text

te

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

with the Scriptures and the pattern of doctrine <et forth in the Lutheran
symbols, are, pursuant to Article Hf of the Syned’s Constitution. bind-
ing upon all its members (cf also Article VIP0 11973 Resolution
2-12. Proceedings. p. 118:

In adopting .4 Staremenr. the Synod does net “presume to ecrah-
lish doctrine. but intends only ta confess doctrines taught by the
Scriptures.” Doctrine “taught by the Scriptures and confessed by the
Synod” does not become binding upon its members “only if and when
it ig unanimously approved Rather. the Syned helds that a doctrine
must be unanimously accepted because it is clearly taught in Scripture”
(1971 Resolution 2-21. Proceedings. p. 1184

The Synod “holds that its confessional base is as broad as ols
Scripture. and that provided a doctrinal resolution is in fact in harmony
with the Word of God. which is ‘the only rule and norm of doctrine,’
the content of such a resolution is uirinsic to the Synod's confessional
basis” (197] Resolution 2-21, Proceedings, p. 118+

The Synod has clearly stated that its doctrinal formulations are “sub-
ordinate to the Lutheran Confessions” (1971 Resolution 5-24. Pro-
ceedings, p. 168: cf. also 1971 Resolution 2-21, Proceedings. p. 119
“not to be regarded as equal to the Lutheran Symbols”. 1969 Resolu-
tion 2-27, Proceedings. p. 91> “standing under the Holy Scriptures and
the Lutheran Confessions: and 1949 Resolution 2-06, Proceedines
p. 86. “under the norms of Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Con-
fessions”)

The adoption of such doctrinal statements does not expand the
Synod’s confessional basis. Rather. the Synod understands “Article II
of its Constitution as permitting, and at times even requiring the formu-
lation and adoption of doctrinal statements as definitive of the Synod’s
position relative to controverted issues” (1973 Resolution 2-12. Pro-
ceedings pp. }13—1141). The Synod recognizes that “the only basis
for the acceptance of such statements is that they are in accord with
Scripture und the pattern of dextrine set forth in the Symbols” ©1973
Resolution 2-12. Proceedines. p. 118). By the sume token, for the
substantiation of any claim that the doctrinal content of such state-
ments is incorrect. it must be demonstrated that it is not in accord
with Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions

The Synod has repeatediy urged its members “to hener and uphold
the synodically adopted statements as valid interpretations of Christian
doctrine” (1969 Resoluuon 2-27, Proceedings, p 91, cited in Counci!
of Presidents Statement and incorporated in 197] Resolution 2-21.
Proceedings, p. 119: cf 1965 Resolution 2-08, Proceedings. p 9A,
and 1962 Resolution 3-17, Proceedings. p 1061. The Synod has
further stated that to “honor and uphold” its doctrinal statements
“means not merely to examine and study them. but to support. act.
and teach in accordance with them until they have been shown to be
contrary to God's Word” (1971 Resolution 2-21, Proceedings. p. 119)

. Since A Statement is a formal synodical “statement of belief.” it is

according to the Synod’s estubiushed procedures should result in a
modification or correcuen of erther the dissenters position or the
Synod’s expression of its dewtnnal position, rather than) conunued
dissent. Those who disagree with the doctrinal content of a synedicul
statement of belief such us 4 Stavementowe ite the Synod to denmion-
strate from the Holy Serpturys snd the Lutheran Confessions that
the doctrinal statement either does not cerrcetly apply the Seriptures
and Confessions to the questions with which tt deais or that the states
ment fails to leave yuesuens cpen which ure not setded by the Serip-
tures themselves

When dissent or disagreement is expressed svith wo synodical stutement
of Belief such as A Statement either by those delegates who voted
against the adopuen of the statement or by ether members of the
Synod at a later time. care should he taken to distinguish between
formal and substantive disagreement Concerns deating with such
matters as procedure, the chores of phraseology of terminology. the
sequence of topless, or the omission of certain valid: emphases are
Merely matters of form: and do not ordinarily in themselves constitute
vahd grounds for farting te hener and uphold the doctrinal content
of synodicuily adopted statements of beet. However itis a matter
of substantive disagreement when itis held that a synodical dectrinal
stutement does notin fast corrects apply the Holy Seriptures ond
the Lutheran Confessions to the matters with which it deals

The Synod’s established procedures for registering dissent with tts doce

trinal statements include the following

a. “That we call upon those who teach publich in the church (pastors.
teachers. and professors: to test their findings and opinions with
their peer groups hefore presenting them to the ehurch at large
and to refrain in hrotherly tove from dissemunuting doctrinal opin-
jons in such manner and in such situations as will cause confusion
and offense in the church” ©1965 Resoluten 2-08. Proceedings
p 96)

Tt is expected that pastors and teachers sill discuss their ob-
Jechions and concerns in their conferences. that professors wil dis
cuss such matters with their teaching and administrative colleagues,
and that staff members will discuss their objections with their
boards and other stutf persons

b. With reference to statements of belief. the Synod has requested
“that those who disagree with these formulations in| part or in
whole he held to present their objections to them formally to those
officials whom the Synod hus given the immediate supenision of
their doctrine” ( 197} Resolution S-24, Proceedings, p. LAS). This
means that pastors and teachers are to present their objections
to their District president: professors at synodical institutions, to
the president und board of control of their institution, as well us
to the District president of the geographical District in which the
institution is located tef Bylaw 1.0% d. adopted in 19732 Resolu-

gy

1

assumed thst all members of the Syned do in tact honor and upheld
Ibe vcept im these cases where they have expressed disagreement with
the doctrinal content of 4 Srurementt on avcordance with the Synod’s
established procedures Tor expressing ing with such dissent
According!

There should be no effort to have 4 Sraremenr formally and in-
davntually subsembed By the members of the Synod Althou
sent to the Synod’s doctrinal statements is assumed in all cases
Ky members of the Synod
te the Holy Serptures and

ne dissent has been expressed
i te subse
n Confessions

oo POTM ay Oy

Stan inte office. pastors,
ors of the Syned shall
to the Ho's Semptures and the Lu-

bOAD thor ordinauien, inst
Teachers. professors, and ot
vorntinve to be pledged onhy
theren Confessions

ion, or in
s church

e Those who supervise the doctrine of the members of the Synod
seg. the synodicul president und vice-presidents, District: presi-
dents. various bourds. imsttuuenal presidents) should remind the
members of the church's minntry whe thes supervise of their
obiyction te honer and uphold the Synod’s doctrinal statements,

f they cannot in good comserence dev so, to register their dis-
agreement with such state

Procedures

°

do Congregations or agencies of the Synod who are calling pastors.
teachers, of professors to serve them are enutied to know and free
to inguite whether persons under consideration for a call or ap-
pointment do in fact honer and uphold 4 Staremenr, or if not, what
is the nature and extent of their disagreement. In the latter case.
such congregations or agencies will want to consider carefully
whether such dissent hus been expressed according to established
synodical procedures. and whether such disagreement or dissent
deals with purely forma! considerations (such as procedure, termi-
nology, phraseology. and sequence of topics) or with substantive
doctrinal issues

Registering dissent with the doctrinal content of a synodical statement
of belief such as A Sraremien: should be regarded as an effort to lead
the Syned to correct or modify its position as expressed in the doc-
trinal statement under question The Synod’s procedures for dealing
with such dissent rest on the assumption that all members of the
Synod should honor and uphold the Synod’s doctrinal position, since
“the vers concept of a Synod «walking tevether’) precludes indi-
vidualism which allows every man to interpret Synod's confessiona!
position according to his own subjective preference” (1973 Resolution
2-12. Proceedings, p. 114. cf. also 1971 Resolution 2-21, Proceedings
p. t18). Accordingly, divergent doctrinal positions cannot coexist
within the Synod indefinitely and without serious effort to achieve
confessional unanimity Therefore the process for dealing with dissent

ton 3-62, Processames polls,

ercerimissions and any appre
c. The Synod has turther provided that dissent s to he brought to the
thogoef the Commission en Pheologs and Church Re'atons
ww D09%e, 162 Resin 3217 Proceedines po Tue, TYAS
wv poMA, Council of Presidents States
Rescluten 2-22, Proceedings potty
nd ¢ Retahons should nike
ier in questien in ample
the part of the dissenter

te supervisory stall members

ton 2-H. Proceeds

tamsurporated in E47
The Commission on Cheon

every effort to cxpress i opinion en the

time to perout turthe:

ippeal v
peal on

1
shay

The comnussion’s biennial report te the Synod) show
Indicate the Opinions Sus rendered on al such expressions of dis
sent. and should in@uds any recommendanon deemed advisable to
shanty or correet postive cqussies in the document under

question

von

do Members of the Synod may subnut overtures to the synodie
vention inan eort to Rave the Synod of ITS Poston or recor:
nize the viability of the drscmting opimen  Bylass 10% asks that
dissent “be expressed first caithin the telowship of peers. then
note the attention of the Commussien on Thee. vind

Church Relations befe to thy
consenuon calling for revisien or resmien” adepted in 1Y7 3 Rese

luuen 3-02, Proceedings polls t

brow

finding expresstor en Overture

From the fact that the Synod has establisned forementioned pre
cedures for capressing and ling with dissent. fois clear chat the
Syned does not imend to impede the traternal discussion of doctanat
issues. and that the Synod recognizes ¢ Ho discussion ma
lead to the revision or correcuien of is otheti dowtrimal statements
But it is equally clear that the Synod. in the interest of doimg things
decently und in order. hus estubhshed the aforementioned procedures
for expressing and dealing with dissent so that the church as not dis-
turhed hy its members engaging in loveless public eriticnm of dts
Paragement of its otflciel position

hal su

In evaluating and dealing with dissent or disagreement which has been
expressed in vecordaunce with the aforementioned procedures. all super-
visory officials and boards, as well as the Commussion on Theology and
Church Relations and anv peer groups that mas be involved. should
always endeavor to distinguish carefully between formal and substan-
tive dissent. and to deal with the latter in terms of the Symod’s con-
fessional base, namely. Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions
(ef. Constituvon. Article [>

A Statement. as a formal synodical statement of belief which applies
Holy Senpture and the Lutheran Confessions to current issues. re-
mains, in all its parts, the offers! position ef the Synod unul such ume
as the Synod itself has been persuaded from the Holy Scriptures and
the Lutheran Confessions that the doctrinal content of 4 Sturemtenr

469