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

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1. 1To Direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations
2. 2to Examine Current Political and Social Issues
3. 3RESOLUTION 4-08
4. 4Overtures 4-13–22 (CW, 309–14)
5. 5WHEREAS, Holy Scripture declares that God created all humanity in His image (Gen 1:27) and that all believers are
6. 6one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28), condemns all forms of racial hatred as sinful (James 2:8–9), and exhorts us to love our
7. 7neighbors as ourselves (Matt. 22:36–40); and
8. 8WHEREAS, Our Synod has regularly spoken to political and social issues affecting Christ’s Church (2023 Res. 11-
9. 902A, “To Reject All Forms of Racism and Affirm Our Witness to All People”; 2019 Res. 11-04A, “To Affirm the Common
10. 10Humanity of All People and Ethnicities”; 2016 Res. 1-06, “To Celebrate Legacy of Rosa J. Young and Encourage Launch
11. 11of Rosa J. Young International Academies”; 2013 Res. 3-09, “To Continue to Support and Promote Black Ministry of The
12. 12Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod”; 1995 Res. 2-05A, “To Commend for Study the CTCR Document Racism and the
13. 13Church”; 1992 Res. 3-03, “To Combat All Racism”; 1983 Res. 1-20, “To Encourage Bringing the Gospel to Jewish
14. 14People”; 1983 Res. 3-09, “To Clarify Position on Anti-Semitism”; 1981 Res. 8-07, “To Oppose Racism and Violence”;
15. 151979 Res. 4-11, “To Reaffirm Efforts to Combat Racism”; 1977 Res. 10-18A, “To Make Every Effort to Eliminate
16. 16Racism”; 1973 Res. 9-22, “To Continue Efforts to Combat Racism”; 1971 Res. 9-32, “To Encourage Christian Action to
17. 17Combat Racism”); and
18. 18WHEREAS, In recent years, certain ideologies and secular distortions have proliferated, leading to widespread
19. 19confusion and harmful division especially in the church; and
20. 20WHEREAS, Current political and social issues such as racism, antisemitism, and specific aberrations associated with
21. 21“Christian Nationalism,” demonstrate an urgent need for theologically-sound resources to address these concerns,
22. 22providing faithful care for those harmed by these ideologies and secular distortions; therefore be it
23. 23Resolved, That Synod in convention condemn all forms of racial hatred as sinful (James 2:8–9); and be it further
24. 24Resolved, That Synod in convention direct the Commission on Theology and Church Relations to examine such
25. 25political and social issues, especially racism, antisemitism, and Christian Nationalism, and prepare documents as it deems
26. 26appropriate for the edification of the Synod; and be it finally
27. 27Resolved, That pastors and congregations make use of these resources to foster repentance, reconciliation, and Christ-
28. 28centered unity proclaiming that for those who belong to Christ by faith, “There is neither Jew nor Greek … for you are all
29. 29one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
30. 30The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
31. 31Committee, anticipate no significant incremental costs to the Synod as the activity is understood to be within the existing
32. 32scope and budget of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).