The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod • Document Library
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR) document library includes:
Reports: The CTCR brings matters of theology to the membership of the Synod through special studies and documents.
Evaluations: The CTCR provides evaluations on a broad range of religious organizations and movements from a Lutheran theological perspective.
Theological Opinions: Documents are prepared in response to a request for an opinion on a specific theological issue (e.g., from the president of the Synod, a district, board, commission or dispute resolution panel).
Documents on Biblical Authority and Interpretation address inspiration and inerrancy, interpretive principles, the relationship between the Gospel and Scripture, and inclusive language.
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Lutheran Doctrine and Practice documents are divided into four categories: Christian Faith, Life and Witness; Church and Ministry; Creation and New Creation; and Means of Grace (Sacraments).
Documents regarding Lutherans and Other Christians focus on the Lutheran understanding of church fellowship, ecumenism, and principles for cooperation in externals.
Life Issues documents focus on topics including abortion, reproductive ethics, and end-of-life concerns and decisions. Reports include “Christian Care at Life’s End” and “Abortion in Perspective.”
The CTCR provides Scriptural perspectives to explain God’s design for human sexuality and marriage between one man and one woman. Topics also include divorce, remarriage and gender identity.
The CTCR examines Scripture regarding God’s design for man/woman relationships in marriage and the church. Documents focus on the service of women in local congregations and synodical offices.
The Commission addresses the Lutheran view of church and state, racism, immigration, gambling, capital punishment, and the care of creation.
From a Lutheran perspective, the CTCR evaluates world religions, religious organizations and movements, and fraternal organizations and lodges.
Several CTCR documents are available in Spanish. The documents are listed in their respective topic categories, and they are also featured in one collection.
The LCMS is in altar and pulpit fellowship with church bodies worldwide, and many partners are members of the International Lutheran Council, an association of confessional Lutheran churches.
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The CTCR library includes Bible studies and guides, responses to ecumenical discussions and actions, LCMS doctrinal statements, LCMS policy and polity documents, dissenting opinions, and task force reports.
As an additional way of carrying out its assignments, the CTCR utilizes conferences and convocations to bring matters of theology and church relations for discussion to the membership of the Synod.