To Direct Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on Public Teaching and Engagement of, Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify Lutheran Teaching on Justice

Official Workbook overture source text

4-15 
To Direct Commission on Theology and Church 
Relations to Examine, and Provide Guidance on 
Public Teaching and Engagement of,  
Lutherans for Racial Justice and to Clarify  
Lutheran Teaching on Justice 
WHEREAS, Holy Scripture commands love of neighbor and 
justice without partiality (Micah 6:8; Luke 10:25–37); and 
WHEREAS, The Synod has repeatedly condemned racism and 
urged Christian action (e.g., 2019 Res. 11-04A); and 
WHEREAS, Lutherans for Racial Justice (LRJ) publicly states it is 
a “grassroots coalition committed to fostering multiethnic church 
and school cultures as we pursue racial equity, justice, and healing” 
(lutheransforracialjustice.com/about-us-1); and 
W
HEREAS, LRJ’s public resources curate materials that engage 
contemporary frameworks (e.g., Black Lives Matter and Critical 
Race Theory), which may, if treated normatively, conflict with the 
primacy of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; and 
W
HEREAS, Our Lord testifies, “Wherever the corpse is, there the 
vultures will gather” (Matt. 24:28), indicating that falsehood and 
decay inevitably attract those who feed on them, and Scripture more 
broadly teaches that teaching bears discernible fruit (Matt. 7:15–
20); and 
WHEREAS, Concerns have been raised regarding the character of 
public discourse surrounding LRJ’s materials and whether such 
discourse reflects alignment with confessional Lutheran teaching or 
instead draws upon ideological frameworks foreign to the Synod’s 
doctrine and practice; and 
WHEREAS, LRJ has publicly critiqued Synod leadership on 
matters of immigration and public theology (e.g., responses to 
President Harrison’s statements), and has amplified narratives and 
resources that appear to place political advocacy ahead of 
confessional unity, raising legitimate questions under Romans 13 
and the Lutheran doctrine of vocation; and 
WHEREAS, LRJ has promoted or circulated materials that 
encourage resistance to civil authorities (e.g., “Everyone is