To Commend Luther’s Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications

WHEREAS, 2013 Resolution 3-13A, “To Update the Synod’s Cate cheti cal Materials,” asked the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), in collaboration with the office of the President and Concordia Publishing House (CPH), to produce a cate cheti cal compendium that would be “more comprehensive and apologetic in scope”; and

WHEREAS, 2016 Res. 5-12, “To Commend and Encourage Use of Luther’s Catechisms,” requested that the CTCR, in collaboration with the office of the President and both seminary faculties, “explore the creation of an annotated and expanded edition of the Large Catechism for widespread use and study in the Church; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR completed this assignment and in January 2023 published through CPH a volume of over 700 pages that included 70 contributors and extensive introductions and annotations to the text of the Large Catechism, accompanied by over 70 essays dedicated to addressing contemporary questions related to the Large Catechism; and

WHEREAS, The volume not only underwent review by the CTCR, but was certified by the doctrinal review process, while the President of Synod helped oversee the project and included his endorsement by way of an introduction praising the volume; and

WHEREAS, Upon release, the volume received intense critique and opposition on the basis of social media attacks and online commentary, leading the President of Synod and CPH to agree to pause sales of the volume; and

WHEREAS, Many contributors to this volume were harassed privately and publicly for their participation in this project; and

WHEREAS, The CTCR was publicly criticized for falsely promoting woke ness, Critical Race Theory, the ordination of women, among others; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention express its thanks for the publication of this work by the CTCR and CPH; and be it further

Resolved, That the harsh and baseless attacks against this volume, the CTCR, and CPH be condemned as contrary to Paul’s command that “all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you” (Eph. 4:31); and be it further

Resolved, That the pastors and congregations of the Synod use this resource for study and discussion, communicating to the CTCR and CPH what it finds most helpful; and be it finally

Resolved, That members of the Synod express any suggestions for improvement to the CTCR and to the office of the President, and that those suggestions be taken into consideration.