To State Religious Objection to Government Interference with Parents’ Duty

Official Workbook overture source text

1-25 
To State Religious Objection to Government 
Interference with Parents’ Duty 
WHEREAS, The Small Catechism confesses that God has created 
and given to each person “my body” (SC II, Second Article); and 
WHEREAS, The body of the baptized is the temple of the Holy 
Spirit and belongs to God and God alone (1 Cor. 6:19); and 
WHEREAS, The Fourth Commandment, as explained in the Large 
Catechism, places all authority over a child on the parents of that 
child, so that we confess, “For all authority flows and is born from 
the authority of parents. Where a father is unable alone to educate  
his … child, he uses a schoolmaster to teach the child. … So all 
whom we call ‘masters’ are in a place of parents and must get their 
power and authority to govern from them” (LC I [Fourth 
Commandment] 141–142); and 
WHEREAS, The Scriptures and the Catechism do not limit 
parental authority to a particular age, but state that God has given 
authority to parents over all children who live under their roof; and 
WHEREAS, Government in our society— at federal, state, and 
local levels—may in various ways attempt to step between children 
and their parents in defiance of scriptural exceptions allowing the 
government to do so (impeding the parents’ duty to raise their 
children in faith and life of the Christian confession); therefore be 
it 
Resolved, That the Northern Illinois District boldly, 
unequivocally, and plainly state its objection on the grounds of 
religious belief to any federal, state, local law, mandate and any 
school policy— excepting those granted to such by Scripture, such 
as abuse or ne glect according to scriptural definitions —that 
infringes with the parents’ duty to raise their children or that aids 
the minor child in circumventing parental authority; and be it further 
Resolved, That the district state plainly its willingness to 
recommend resources for any parents within sister congregations of 
the district who face the challenge of government laws or school 
policies negating parents’ duties to raise their children in the fear of 
the Lord; and be it further 
Resolved, That the district commend parents for their work in 
raising their children in the training and instruction of the Lord 
(Eph. 6:4) so that they might be found faithful though surrounded 
by teachings and influences contrary to the Gospel; and be it further 
Resolved, That the district urge member congregations and all 
their families to benefit their children with the use of Lutheran 
schools, Lutheran homeschools, and other opportunities for 
Christian education, that the parents may safeguard their God-given 
responsibility, and that the children may be protected from such 
government overreach and godless agendas and may be raised in 
the proper fear of the Lord; and be it finally 
Resolved, That the district urge the 2026 Synod convention to 
unequivocally and plainly state its objection on the grounds of 
religious belief to any federal, state, local law, mandate, and any 
school policy— excepting those granted to such by Scripture, such 
as ab use or neglect according to scriptural definitions —that 
infringes with the parents’ duty to raise their children or that aids