General Resources

LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations

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General resources from the CTCR are separated into the following categories:

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Bible Studies and Discussion Guides

• Three-Year Bible Reading Plan — Compiled by LCMS, LCC and NALC
  2021   •   2022   •   2023   •   Three-Year Reading Guide
   
• An Inexpressible Truth: The Theology and Practice of Holy Baptism
  2019   •   Bible Study and Discussion Guide
  2018   •   Report
   
• The Royal Priesthood
  2019   •   Bible Study and Discussion Guide
  2018   •   Report
   
• Confession and Absolution
  2019   •   Bible Study and Discussion Guide
  2018   •   Report
   
• Immigrants Among Us: A Lutheran Framework for Addressing Immigration Issues — Bible Study
  2018   •   Bible Study   •   Spanish
   
• Unjustifiable Faiths — Bible Study
  2018   •   Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
   
• Justifying Christmas — Bible Study
  2018   •   Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
   
• Jesus and Justification — Bible Study
  2018   •   Theses on Justification   •   Luther and the Doctrine of Justification   •   PowerPoint Presentation
   
• He Is Our Righteousness — Bible Study
  2018
  Session 1: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
  Session 2: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
  Session 3: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
  Session 4: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
   
• Subjective and Objective Justification and Justification and Evangelicalism — Bible Study
  2018
  Session 1: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
  Session 2: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
  Justification and Evangelicalism: Leader Guide   •   PowerPoint Presentation
  Ecumenical Discussions on Justification: Leader Guide   •   Participant Guide
   
• In Christ all Things Hold Together: The Intersection of Science and Christian Theology — Study Guide
  2016   •   Report
   
• Resources for Biblical Interpretation
  2016
   
• Why Are You Persecuting Me? A Christian Response to Hostility and Persecution
  2014
   
• Theology and Practice of Prayer: A Lutheran View — Study and Discussion Guide
  2013   •   Report
   
• A Bible Study Companion to A Lutheran Response to the “Left Behind” Series
  2006   •   Report
   
• The Lutheran Understanding of Church Fellowship (Study Materials)
  2000   •   Report
   
• The Bible and Christian Citizenship (Bible study)
  1996
   
• Bible Study on Fellowship
  1980
   

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LCMS Doctrinal Statements

• A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles
  1973
   
• A Brief Statement of the Doctrinal Position of the Missouri Synod
  1932
   
• C.F.W. Walther’s Theses on the Ministry
  1851
   

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Task Force Reports

• The Child as a Gift of God
  2019   •   Paper (ePub)
   
• 2013 Resolution 4-06A Task Force Report to Synod
  2015
   
• Summary on 2013 Resolution 4-06A Task Force Report to Synod
  2015
   
• ELCA Sexuality Decisions Task Force Report
  2010
   
• CTCR Review of “For the Sake of Christ’s Commission”
  2003
   
• For the Sake of Christ’s Commission: The Report of the Church Growth Study Committee
  2001
   
• A Plan for Ministry to Homosexuals and Their Families
  1999
   

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Responses to Ecumenical Organizations, Discussions and Actions

• Evaluation of Lutheran World Federation
  2022
   
• The ELCA/Reformed Formula of Agreement in Confessional Lutheran Perspective
  1999
   
• The Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification in Confessional Lutheran Perspective
  1999
   
• The Porvoo Common Statement in Confessional Lutheran Perspective
  1999
   
• A Response to “The U.S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue Report VIII: The One Mediator, the Saints, and Mary”
  1994   •   Spanish
   
• A Response to “The U. S. Lutheran-Roman Catholic Dialogue Report VII: Justification by Faith”
  1992
   
• The LCMS Response to the Commission on Faith and Order of the World Council of Churches to the Text of “Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry”
  1985
   

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CTCR Staff Responses

• Textual Criticism
  2019
   
• CTCR Opinion on Inclusive Language in the New International Version
  2012
   
• Homosexuality: A Christian Response
  1997
   
• The Service of Women: A Christian Response
  1997
   
• Racism: A Christian Response
  1996
   

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LCMS Polity and Policy

• Theological Considerations and Procedural Guidelines Regarding the Recognition of Altar and Pulpit Fellowship Between The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod and Another Church Body
  2020
   
• CTCR Response to Request from Rocky Mountain District President
  2011
   
• Principles for Cooperation in Externals with Theological Integrity (2010 Resolution 3-03)
  2011   •   Memorandum of endorsement from Praesidium
   
• Opinion on Article VI, Section 2 of LCMS Constitution
  2010
   
• In Statu Confessionis
  2005
   
• An Introduction to The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
  2001
   
• Guiding Principles for the Use of a Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles
  1974
   
• A Review of the Question: What is a Doctrine?
  1967
   

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CTCR Responses to Expressions of Dissent

• Statement of CTCR Executive Committee Regarding Matthew Becker Dissent
  2012
   
• CTCR Response to Matthew Becker Dissent of 6/29/11
  2011
   
• CTCR Response to Expressions of Dissent (2004-2006)
  2006   •   Purchase
   
• Report on Dissent from A Statement of Scriptural and Confessional Principles
  1974
   

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Minority Opinions

• In Statu Confessionis: Minority Opinion [i]
  2005
   
• In Statu Confessionis: Minority Opinion [ii]
  2005
   
• Meaning of the Word Authentein (“Authority”): Minority Opinion
  2005
   
• Guidelines for Participation in Civic Events: Minority Opinion
  2004
   
• The Service of Women in Congregational Offices of the Executive Director/President or Assistant Director/Vice-President: Minority Opinion
  2004
   
• Response to Questions from BHE/CUS on Lay Teachers of Theology: Minority Opinion [i]
  2003
   
• Response to Questions from BHE/CUS on Lay Teachers of Theology: Minority Opinion [ii]
  2003
   
• Response to Questions from BHE/CUS on Lay Teachers of Theology: Minority Opinion [iii]
  2003
   
• Theology and Practice of “the Divine Call”: Minority Opinion [i]
  2003
   
• Theology and Practice of “the Divine Call”: Minority Opinion [ii]
  2003
   
• The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices (1994): Minority Opinion — Addendum to 1995 Convention Workbook Reports
  1995
   
• The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices (1994): Minority Opinion — Dissenting Opinion on Women in Congregational Offices
  2004
   
• The Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices (1994): Minority Opinion — Response to the Dissenting Opinion on the Service of Women in Congregational and Synodical Offices
  1995
   
• Racism and the Church: A Dissenting Opinion
  1994

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Statements from Other Church Bodies and Entities

• Biblical Hermeneutics (Theological Commission of the SELK)
  2021
   
• Same-Gender Relationships and the Church (International Lutheran Council)
  2009
   
• Cremation and the Christian (Lutheran Church-Canada)
   
• Statements from the Lutheran Church of Australia
   
• Statement on Homosexuality (Lutheran Church of Australia)
  1975
   

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Individual Opinions Recommended for Study and Consideration

In response to inquiries and concerns received in early 2020 about materials published in 2019 by an organization called ReconcilingWorks: Lutherans for Full Participation, the CTCR commissioned three LCMS seminary professors to write evaluations of these materials on the basis of the theological perspective of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Two of these responses examine a document titled Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans; the other responds to a briefer document titled Lutheran Introduction to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression. These three opinion papers are being made available here by the CTCR for wider study and discussion of issues related to human sexuality, gender identity, and the teaching of Scripture regarding these issues.

• ReconcilingWorks Response — Dr. Joel Biermann
  2021
   
• ReconcilingWorks Response — Dr. Thomas Egger
  2021
   
• ReconcilingWorks Response — Dr. Timothy Saleska
  2021
   

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