To Direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to Examine Current Political and Social Issues

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1. 9To Direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
2. 10to Examine Current Political and Social Issues
3. 11RESOLUTION 4-08A
4. 12Overtures 4-13–22 (CW, 309–14)
5. 13WHEREAS, Holy Scripture declares that God created all humanity in His image (Gen 1:27) and that all believers are
6. 14one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28), condemns all forms of racial hatred as sinful (1 John 3:15), and exhorts us to love our
7. 15neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:36–40; James 2:1, 8–9); and
8. 16WHEREAS, Our Synod has regularly spoken to political and social issues affecting Christ’s Church (2023 Res. 11-
9. 1702A, “To Reject All Forms of Racism and Affirm Our Witness to All People”; 2019 Res. 11- 04A, “To Affirm the
10. 18Common Humanity of All People and Ethnicities”; 2016 Res. 1- 06, “To Celebrate Legacy of Rosa J. Young and
11. 19Encourage Launch of Rosa J. Young International Academies”; 2013 Res. 3-09, “To Continue to Support and Promote
12. 20Black Ministry of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod”; 1995 Res. 2- 05A, “To Commend for Study the CTCR
13. 21Document Racism and the Church”; 1992 Res. 3-03, “To Combat All Racism”; 1983 Res. 1-20, “To Encourage Bringing
14. 22the Gospel to Jewish People”; 1983 Res. 3- 09, “To Clarify Position on Anti -Semitism”; 1981 Res. 8 -07, “To Oppose
15. 23Racism and Violence”; 1979 Res. 4-11, “To Reaffirm Efforts to Combat Racism”; 1977 Res. 10-18A, “To Make Every
16. 24Effort to Eliminate Racism”; 1973 Res. 9-22, “To Continue Efforts to Combat Racism”; 1971 Res. 9-32, “To Encourage
17. 25Christian Action to Combat Racism”); and
18. 26WHEREAS, In recent years, certain ideologies and distortions have proliferated, leading to widespread confusion and
19. 27harmful division especially in the church; and
20. 28WHEREAS, Current political and social issues such as racism (White supremacy and Kinism), antisemitism and
21. 29specific aberrations associated with Christian Nationalism, demonstrate an urgent need for theologically sound resources
22. 30to address these concerns, providing faithful care for those harmed by these ideologies and distortions; therefore be it
23. 31Resolved, That the Synod in convention condemn all forms of racial hatred as sinful (Acts 17:26; 1 John 3:15); and
24. 32be it further
25. 33Resolved, That the Synod in convention direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) to
26. 34examine such political and social issues, especially racism (White supremacy and Kinism), antisemitism, and Christian
27. 35Nationalism, providing definitions, updating documents, and preparing new documents by the end of this triennium for
28. 36the edification of the Synod; and be it finally
29. 37Resolved, That pastors and congregations make use of these resources to foster repentance, reconciliation, and
30. 38Christ-centered unity proclaiming that for those who belong to Christ by faith, “There is neither Jew nor Greek … for
31. 39you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
32. 40The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
33. 41Committee, anticipate no significant incremental costs to the Synod as the activity is understood to be within the
34. 42existing scope and budget of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
35. 43(estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).