To Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations Produce New Document on Race

Ov. 4-17

To Request Commission on Theology and Church Relations Produce New Document on Race

WHEREAS, Holy Scripture declares that God created all humanity in His image (Gen. 1:27) and that all believers are one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28), and condemns all forms of racial hatred as sinful (James 2:9); and

WHEREAS, The 1994 Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) document Racism and the Church was commended by the Synod (1995 Res. 2-05A, “To Commend for study the CTCR Document Racism and the Church” [1995 Proceedings, 112]), yet a minority opinion by the Rev. Dr. James Voelz, the Rev. Dr. Cameron MacKenzie, the Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb, and the Rev. Dr. Norman Nagel raised concerns about the document’s reliance on sociological frameworks not grounded in Lutheran theology (1995 Workbook, 62–64); and

WHEREAS, In recent years, new racial ideologies (e.g., Kinism, critical race theory) and secular distortions (e.g., globalism, the improper binding of consciences on matters such as immigration)

have proliferated, leading to widespread confusion; and

WHEREAS, On matters such as immigration policy, Scripture does not bind the Christian conscience to a single political solution, and faithful Christians may, in good conscience, come to differing conclusions (Rom. 14:1–4); and

WHEREAS, It is contrary to Christian liberty to bind consciences where God has not spoken; and

WHEREAS, Pastors urgently need theologically sound resources to proclaim Law and Gospel to those afflicted with the sin of racial hatred, to address concerns about cultural and societal distortions, and to provide faithful care for those harmed by racism; therefore be it

Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the CTCR to produce a new document on race, revisiting the 1994 report Racism and the Church , to address: (1) the theological concerns raised in the 1994 minority opinion, ensuring that definitions and frameworks align with Holy Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions; (2) modern racial ideologies (e.g., Kinism, critical race theory) and distortio ns (e.g., globalism, immigration -related conscience binding), evaluating them through a biblical lens while affirming Christian liberty in areas where Scripture is silent; and (3)

pastoral strategies for calling sinners to repentance with truth spoken in love (Eph. 4:15) and for ministering to those harmed by racial hatred or confused by racial ideologies and contemporary issues related to race; and be it further

Resolved, That this document provide exegetical analysis of key biblical texts (e.g., Acts 17; Revelation 7; Galatians 3), and clearly distinguish between God’s design for nations, man- made racial constructs, Law and Gospel, and the two kinds of righteousness; and be it further

Resolved, That the CTCR complete this document in time for the 2029 Synod convention and distribute it to all congregations; and be it finally

Resolved , That pastors and congregations make use of this resource to foster repentance, reconciliation, and Christ -centered unity, proclaiming that for those who belong to Christ by faith, “There is neither Jew nor Greek … for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).

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