Res. 6-01 — To Uphold a Deep and Broad Study of Holy Scripture and Book of Concord in Synod Seminaries

WHEREAS, Pastors of the Synod vow in the rite of ordination to teach in accordance with Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, have historically grounded pastoral formation in sustained, direct engagement with the text of Holy Scripture in the original languages; and

WHEREAS, Faithful pastoral ministry requires not merely acquaintance with the biblical text through secondary sources, but the ability to read, translate, and interpret Holy Scripture firsthand for preaching, teaching, catechesis, pastoral care, evangelism, and defense of the faith; and

WHEREAS, The church benefits when pastors are formed to handle the Word of God with confidence rooted in direct textual study rather than dependence upon external aids alone; and

WHEREAS, St. Paul pronounces every word of Scripture as “God-breathed and useful” (2 Tim. 3:16 NIV) and declares and defends the Gospel of Christ with arguments based on the precise wording of the sacred Scriptures; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Luther warned that the devil himself seeks to deprive the Church of the biblical languages ( Luther’s Works 45:358) and also perceived that nothing less than the Gospel itself was at stake (ibid., 359); and

WHEREAS, The Book of Concord serves as the Church’s binding doctrinal confession because (Latin: quia) it faithfully confesses the teaching of Holy Scripture, as set forth in the Formula of Concord (FC Ep, Summary Content); and

WHEREAS, Pastoral formation within the Synod requires more than familiarity with the Lutheran Confessions, but sustained study that forms pastors who confess, teach, and practice theology in full accord with them; and

WHEREAS, The unity of the Church is preserved when pastors are formed to interpret Scripture and conduct ministry within the shared doctrinal framework of the Lutheran Confessions; and

WHEREAS, The Synod has consistently affirmed quia subscription to the Lutheran Confessions as foundational to pastoral formation and ecclesial trust; and

WHEREAS, We need Master of Divinity pastors equipped and capable to supervise vicars and interns, and to oversee specific ministry pastors; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod’s seminaries, across all their programs, maintain and enhance courses of study that attend to careful, thorough study of Holy Scripture and ensure that all pastors certified for ordination demonstrate strong knowledge of and glad reception of “the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the … only true standard or norm by which all teachers and doctrines are to be judged” (FC SD, Comprehensive Summary, 3); and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm and encourage the seminaries to maintain and deepen rigorous instruction in the original languages of Holy Scripture, emphasizing direct translation and exegetical engagement with the biblical text, resisting trends toward reduced or merely introductory engagement with the biblical languages in pastoral formation; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s seminaries be commended and encouraged to fully commit to and persist in forming pastors who are capable of independent, faithful handling of the scriptural text in the original languages for the sake of the church’s preaching and teaching; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod’s seminaries instill in our future pastors those habits and disciplines that maintain the ongoing study of Scripture, including the knowledge and use of the biblical languages, throughout a lifetime of ministry, and that circuits and districts foster and encourage the same; and be it further

Resolved, That the Synod reaffirm and encourage the seminaries of the Synod to maintain and deepen comprehensive, integrated instruction in the Book of Concord throughout the curriculum and extended throughout a lifetime of ministry, and that circuits and districts foster and encourage the same; and be it further

Resolved, That confessional formation not be treated as a discrete academic subject alone, but as a hermeneutical and theological framework shaping all pastoral instruction; and be it further

Resolved, That the seminaries of the Synod be encouraged to form pastors whose preaching, teaching, and practice flow from a robust quia commitment to the Lutheran Confessions and to ensure that all pastors certified for ordination demonstrate knowledge of and glad reception of the Lutheran Confessions; and be it finally

Resolved, That the Synod give thanks to God for the Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions and pray for pastors who confess them faithfully in doctrine and life.