To Give Thanks for Preservation of the Gospel in The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod

Preamble On Feb. 19, 1974, a schism in the life of the Synod culminated in what some refer to as the “Walkout” or “Exile” from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. At the heart of the controversy was the authority and interpretation of Holy Scripture and the truthfulness and objectivity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The controversy divided families, congregations, and every institution of Synod. It impacted brotherly love and fraternal discourse. It resulted in the formation of Christ Seminary- Seminex (“Sem-in-Exile”) and the formation of the Association of Evangelical Lutheran Churches (AELC), which eventually helped form the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA).

WHEREAS, The 50th anniversary of these events will be observed in the next triennium of the Synod, on Feb. 19, 2024; and

WHEREAS, At its 1973 convention, the Synod adopted A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles (1972) as an official doctrinal statement to address the theological errors present at the time; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Historical Institute (CHI) and Concordia Publishing House (CPH) have initiated projects to advance the study and understanding of the historical and theological factors that culminated in the events of February 1974, including Seminex in Print and Rediscovering the Issues, along with two forthcoming books: Walkout or Exile? and The Bad Boll Conferences; and

WHEREAS, The seminaries of Synod continue to produce resources and hold conferences to educate members of Synod about this controversy and its implications for our life together; and

WHEREAS, God, by His divine providence, has worked all things for good, richly blessing the Synod with light from above; and

WHEREAS, The controversy has continued to have effects upon relationships and our life together in Synod as brothers and sisters in Christ; and

WHEREAS, The call to repentance, doctrinal fidelity, and fraternal love remains necessary even today and will remain so until our Lord’s return; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention give thanks for the preservation of the Gospel in our midst, “the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3); and be it further

Resolved, That we give thanks for the faithful teaching and theological leadership of our seminaries; and be it further

Resolved, That we remain faithful to God’s Word, rejoicing with confidence that Christ is the Lord of the Church and the Lord of the world, and that He will accomplish His purposes;

and be it further

Resolved, That members of Synod would study this period in our history and avail themselves of the resources made available for us by CHI, CPH, and the seminaries, as well as A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles; and be it further

Resolved, That we “endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory” (2 Tim. 2:10); and be it further

Resolved, That we commit ourselves to a life of repentance “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:2–3); and be it finally

Resolved, That the assembly sing, upon adoption, the first stanza of “Lord, Keep Us Steadfast in Your Word” (LSB 655