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

Official Workbook overture source text

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 
W
HEREAS, 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 
W
HEREAS, 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). 
English District 
Ov.