Page 1 Significant Doctrinal Comments Years: 1847-1998 Topic Subtopic Date Vol.,Page Summary Abortion abomination 1998 60, 141b Abortion is the killing of the unborn and an abomination to the Lord. Abortion destructive 1979 53, 117a The practice of abortion is destructive of the moral consciousness and character of the people of any nation. Abortion holocaust 1986 56, 212a The legalized murder of unborn children constitutes an American holocaust. Abortion immoral 1989 57, 115b Abortion is not a moral option, except as a byproduct of a procedure to prevent the death of another. Abortion immoral 1992 58, 116a Abortion is not a moral option, except as a byproduct of a procedure to prevent the death of another. Abortion murder 1998 60, 119b Unborn children, woven together by God, are slain through abortion. Abortion protest 1979 53, 117a Christians have an obligation to protest abortion as a heinous crime against the will of God. Abortion rejected 1977 52, 131a Synod opposes the legalization of non-therapeutic abortions. Abortion Scripture 1981 54, 156a Synod's opposition to willful abortion is based on Scripture. Abortion sin 1977 52, 136a Abortion is a sin. Abortion sinful 1977 52, 130b Willful abortion is contrary to the will of God. Abortion willful 1981 54, 155b Synod opposes willful abortion. Abortion witness 1981 54, 155b Protest against abortion on demand and witnessing to the sanctity of life are the responsibility of every Christian. Absolution Baptism 1971 49, 120a Baptismal life should include some form of confession and individual (private) absolution. Abuse child 1989 57, 159a Child abuse and neglect are a definite hindrance to a child's faith. Abuse child 1989 57, 159b Child abuse is cyclic, often perpetuating godless life-styles in victims. Page 2 Abuse domestic 1989 57, 159b Domestic abuse degrades the family, increases suffering, prevents healthy growth and development, and perpetuates unchristian life-styles. Addiction prayer 1995 59, 145b The prayers of God's people have been part of halting the destructive tide of addiction. Adiaphora application 1874 3a, 22 Specific conditions lead Christians in determining answers about adiaphora. Adiaphora guidelines 1896 4b, 30 In matters of disagreement, the majority or the minority should yield to the other out of love. Adiaphora guidelines 1896 4b, 30 The congregation determines matters of adiaphora with the advice of the pastor (their official counselor), by the example of the old Church, in harmony with sister-congregations. Adiaphora majority rule 1902 5a, 24 In adiaphora, the minority yields to the majority, because all know that the Church will not fall apart as long as it remains by the Word of God. Admonition Christian 1899 4c, 37 Christians must be admonished so that they actually avoid what they know to be sinful. Admonition effective 1899 4c, 33 Christian admonition is enough to move believers to do all they should. (Stewardship) Admonition private 1872 2d, 89 The first element of Church discipline is the open exercise of brotherly admonition, not gossip. Admonition private 1938 37, 323 It is wrong to make a disagreement public before Matt. 18 has been fully complied with. Advocacy helpless 1998 60, 120a We are called to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves and to love them as ourselves. AELC schismatic 1977 52, 155a The AELC is to be regarded as schismatic. Alcoholism disease 1977 52, 189b Alcoholism is a disease with spiritual, mental, physical, and social implications. America school 1920 9, 232 The Lutheran school must demonstrate that it accomplishes the Americanization of the children even better than the public school does. America spirituality 1890 3f, 26 The American mentality is governed by a sneaky, superficial, apathetic and business-like spirit, also in spiritual matters. Antichrist denounced 1893 4a, 49 We have the duty to warn churches of the actual antichristian character of the papacy. Page 3 Antichrist Pope 1863 2a, 45 The Confessions clearly teach that the pope is the antichrist. Antichrist Pope 1869 2c, 32 f The Pope is the Antichrist. Antichrist Pope 1872 2d, 64 The Pope fulfills the description of the Antichrist in 1 Tim. 4:1ff. Antichrist Pope 1893 4a, 46 The Pope fulfills all the Scriptural prophecies of the Antichrist. Antichrist Pope 1938 37, 229 The Pope is the very Antichrist for the past and the future. Antichrist priests 1869 2c, 31 Roman priests are named accomplices to the Antichrist (the Pope). Antichrist recognition 1893 4a, 48 Only he who knows Christ can properly identify the Antichrist. Antichrists defined 1893 4a, 46f. The Scripture calls all false teachers Antichrists because they set their own authority over that of Christ. Anti-Semitism evangelism 1983 55, 142b All forms of anti-Semitism hinders bringing the Gospel to Jewish people. Apologetics benefits 1899 4c, 28 Apologetics do not give power to the Word of God but remove external barriers which prevent it from being properly heard. Apologetics languages 1874 3a, 26 A public defense against error requires a thorough knowledge of the "old languages"--Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Luther cited. Appeals resolution 1935 14, 211 The rights of all involved in an appeal to the Synod should be fixed according to principles of equity and Christian charity. Art worship 1969 48, 151b Art has always been an integral part of the worship life of the Church. Atheism college 1950 41, 416 There is a strong leaven of practical atheism on the college campus today. Augustana familiarity 1938 37, 249 Every member of Synod should be familiar with the Augsburg Confession. Ban application 1899 4c, 37 Not the weak and erring are to be excommunicated, but those who are open, unrepentant enemies of the Word of God. Ban application 1908 5c, 146 A member can be properly excommunicated from his congregation on account of refusing to be Page 4 reconciled to his neighbor. Ban congregation 1866 2b, 44 It would be against the Word of God to require synodical approval before a congregation could excommunicate a member. Ban divine 1923 10, 225 A just excommunication should be recognized as the voice of the Lord. Ban removal 1911 6, 187 The ban against a member who asked for the congregation's forgiveness was lifted and he has partaken of the Lord's Supper there. Ban synodical 1866 2b, 47 It is helpful toward the edification of the Church that the Synod assist the local congregation in matters of excommunication. Ban unbelievers 1893 4a, 42 We exclude manifest unbelievers from the local congregations. Ban unjust 1869 2c, 89 Excommunicated members of congregations in fellowship should not be accepted without examination of whether the ban was just. Baptism adiaphora 1967 47, 92a In the Baptismal rite, the following are adiaphora: making the sign of the cross over the water, using a white baptismal robe, giving the baptizand a lighted candle. Baptism community 1998 60, 105a The community of the Gospel is an inclusive baptismal community. Baptism duty 1962 45, 114a God makes parents, sponsors, and congregations responsible for the Christian nurture of baptized children. Baptism immersion 1956 43, 522 A pastor who submitted a proposal that immersion be the normal mode for Baptism was referred to his District President for discipline. Baptism initiation 1971 49, 120a Baptism is nothing less than initiation into the death and resurrection of Christ. Baptism instruction 1902 5a, 94 A Jewish woman was prepared for baptismal instruction by the Synodical lay missionary and examined before a commission. Baptism instruction 1971 49, 120a The expression of Christian baptism is the basis for all Christian instruction. Baptism mission 1965 46, 81b All baptized into Christ are baptized into His death and resurrection, into His mission, and into His body. Page 5 Baptism new life 1971 49, 120a The Baptized bear fruit in a life of repentance and faith, the death of the old Adam and the resurrection of the new man. Baptism parents 1971 49, 120a Baptismal life is compromised when parents or sponsors demonstrate little understanding of the significance of Baptism. Baptism sponsors 1850 1, 138 Sponsors speak in the place of the child. Barry booklets 1998 60, 152a Dr. Barry's booklets (e.g., Catechesis in the Lutheran Congregation, The Nature and Basis of Lutheran Worship) are scriptural, orthodox, confessional, and helpful. Bible class essential 1962 45, 116b Excellent Bible classes are essential to grounding God's people in God's Word. Bible Society approval 1944 39, 322 The Synod approves the work of the American Bible Society in providing Scriptures without sectarian comment. Bible Society approval 1965 46, 193b Synod recognizes the American Bible Society as a helping agency in the distribution of Bibles. Bible youth 1944 39, 129 A Bible class is an excellent means to provide guidance for youth in our age. Bible authority 1977 52, 132b Denying the unity of the Bible and ascribing multiple meanings to the text renders the Bible useless as a final authority. Bible authorship 1977 52, 132b The historical-critical method tenuates the Spirit’s authorship of the Bible, evaporates its unity, and makes its self-interpretation inoperative. Bible Christ 1902 5a, 38 Christ, the Savior of sinners, is the content of both the Old and New Testaments. Bible editions 1923 10, 167 Bibles with misleading or inadequate headings can keep simple readers from a proper Christian understanding. Bible hermeneutic 1938 37, 239 The Synod concedes variously interpretations of Biblical texts, but only in harmony with the analogy of faith. Bible hermeneutic 1967 47, 143a The love of God in Christ is the interpreting key to the Bible. Bible hermeneutic 1971 49, 129b The historical critical method seems to be at the root of many problems of Biblical interpretation.