Version History
Current published version
Today's Business, Issue 2B. pp. 293-294. Revised published proposal.
Official Resolution Source Text
Resolution: 5-11A
Canonical number: 5-11
Committee: Theology and Church Relations
Source: Today's Business, Issue 2B
Printed pages: pp. 293-294
PDF pages: 41-42
Version: revised, current-published-proposal
Source reference: Issue 2B, pp. 293-294
Line numbers follow Today's Business, Issue 2B, with numbering reset on each printed page, so delegates can compare this page with the official PDF.
Page 293
- To Reaffirm Sanctity of Human Life Regarding Practice of In Vitro Fertilization
- RESOLUTION 5-11A
- Overtures 5-19–21 (CW, 347–49)
- WHEREAS, Holy Scripture teaches that human life is a sacred gift from God, who is the Creator of all life (Gen .
- 1:26–28; Psalm 139:13–16); and
- WHEREAS, Christ sanctified and redeemed all human beings, including human embryos, in H is incarnation and
- conception by the Holy Spirit and of the Virgin Mary, His shed blood upon the cross, His resurrection, and His ascension
- to the right hand of the Father (Luke 1:35; Matt. 1:20–23); and
- WHEREAS, The tradition of the Christian Church, in accordance with the creation order revealed in Holy Scripture,
- has consistently upheld the sanctity of human life and the dignity of procreation as an act that belongs within the marital
- union between a man and a woman (Gen. 1:27–28; Heb. 13:4; Matt. 19:4–6); and
- WHEREAS, The practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) involves the creation of human embryos outside the womb,
- which can result in the needless destruction or indefinite freezing of embryos; and
- WHEREAS, IVF can commodify human life by treating embryos as objects to be purchased, stored, or discarded,
- instead of recognizing that life is a gift of God; and
- WHEREAS, The desire for procreation of children is good, right, and godly in the context of marriage; and
- WHEREAS, The Synod recognizes the pain of childlessness and that some people, desiring to have children, may
- have used IVF without a full understanding of any potential theological implications; and
- WHEREAS, Every child, regardless of how he or she is conceived, is created by God the Father, redeemed by God
- the Son, and called by God the Holy Spirit to be in an eternal relationship with Him by faith; therefore be it
- Resolved, That the Synod condemn the needless loss of life that can occur through the use of IVF; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod encourage married couples struggling to bear children to seek pastoral care and guidance
- before pursuing reproductive technologies, and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod encourage pastors and other church workers to serve married couples who have troubled
- consciences with respect to prior use of IVF and minister to them and to all people such that they may receive the comfort
- of Christ and His redeeming love; and be it further
Page 294
- Resolved, That all our congregations faithfully and compassionately speak to the God- given value and worth of all
- human beings; and be it further
- Resolved, That the Synod urge its members to uphold the biblical understanding of procreation as a sacred act within
- the marital union; and be it finally
- Resolved, That this matter be referred to the Commission on Theology and Church Relations in order to provide
- theological clarity and give a clear foundation for a doctrinal resolution.
- The Chief Financial Officer and LCMS Accounting and Financial Services staff, in consultation with the Finance
- Committee, anticipate no significant incremental costs as the activity is understood to be within the existing scope and
- budget of the Commission on Theology and Church Relations (estimate required by Bylaw 3.1.7 [g]).
Published Proposed Amendments
This amendment is printed as a proposal and is not incorporated into the current resolution text unless official convention action confirms adoption. The printed amendment may reference an earlier version of the resolution.
Published Proposed Amendment to Resolution 5-11
Issue 4, p. 385, Issue 4, p. 385, lines 1-12, status: Proposed
Submitted by Hayden Folks, Pastoral Delegate, Ohio District
7/2 AMENDMENT TO RESOLUTION 5-11A Resolution 5-11A (TB, 2B:293–94) To insert, at TB 2B:293, after line 34, the additional whereas: WHEREAS, The practice of IVF commonly uses gametes obtained from donors outside the marital union thus violating the one flesh union between husband and wife and depriving children of their right to their biological mother and father; and To replace the resolve at TB 2B:293, line 42, with the following resolve: Resolved, That the Synod condemn the practice of IVF especially because of the freezing and destruction of human beings and the introduction of gametes from persons outside the marital union; and be it further Hayden Folks Pastoral Delegate, Ohio District
Open Issue 4 Source PDF