Recently, the proceedings of the 36th District Convention of the L.C.M.S.’s Montana District were made available to the public. In these, several actions were taken. Of these, we will submit three for the consideration of our readers.
Resolution 1-03, “To speak against trends of Radical Ideologies and Racism in the United States of America,” was adopted by the Convention. In this resolution, this statement is included: “Racism, the belief in the superiority or inferiority of any race, contradicts the biblical truth that all are one in Christ (Colossians 3:11) and violates the Fifth Commandment by fostering hatred and division.” While this certainly makes a sweet sound in the ears of the moderns who rule the Synod, it is in fact a blatant misuse of God’s Word in support of their own wicked ends. It is not true that to recognize the relative superiority or inferiority of peoples, “fosters hatred and division,” as the resolution states. It is absurd to the uttermost, and reveals one’s own wicked desires, when it is argued that, if one is superior to another, that necessitates hating the lesser. Further, by using the article of the unity of the Church to end all differences in civil life (if it were possible), this resolution destroys the separation of the kingdoms, as though the absurd conclusion followed: Because this man is my brother in Christ, therefore there is to be no distinction at all between king and subject, between father and son, between master and servant, etc. — The resolution’s appeal to the L.C.M.S.’s previous decisions, because such decisions were made on the basis of external pressure, and not the Word of God, has no decisive power in the heart of a Christian.
Resolution 4-01, “To Request Cessation of Publication of Luther’s Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications,” has been adopted, which shows that, despite our Synod’s uncertain future, God has not seen fit to take his grace, which we have so despised, away from us. Thanks be to Him forever. The arguments of this resolution, which resulted in the Montana District “memorializing CPH to cease the sale of LLCACA as it currently exists,” are worthy to be considered by all Christians, and so we heartily recommend that our readers consider this resolution, it’s Scriptural foundations, and the fortunate fact that, as stated above, it has been passed, which must frustrate the devil who, doubtless, had hoped that the assembly would prefer to ignore the false teaching in his catechism, for the sake of worldly comfort (namely, a false peace, which is just as much as denying Christ).
Resolution 5-01, “To Condemn the Stone Choir Podcast,” was not adopted. This is good because the bases on which it would condemn Mahler and Woe were not those which a Christian can base a condemnation upon. This resolution falsely said that the pernicious nature of the Jewish race is not taught in Scripture and that this teaching “causes great offense to many Christians of good will.” The resolution also called it “outrageously offensive” to “call for the deportation of Jews, Muslims, and blacks from the United States,” saying that “opposition to the Jewish race and a desire for segregation of blacks from white society” is a reason to condemn them (rather than their actual false teachings, which the Altlutheraner has gone over in the past) and engage in witch hunts and struggle sessions against pastors “who may be found to be promoting the Stone Choir podcast or its hosts.” This resolution even found it necessary “to condemn the Stone Choir podcast and its hosts and followers and to take action against pastors who promote the same.” Thanks be to God that this resolution, written by the devil, was not adopted at Convention.
All in all, the actions taken at the 36th Montana District Convention constitute a mixed bag. In this, most of the actions have been, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, those which, if followed upon, would have quite a beneficial impact. It is hoped that the unfortunate resolution against “racism,” by which this Convention would turn everything in the world upside down, was passed merely to alleviate any external pressures on the churches by certain radical elements in society, though this, of course, does not redound to their commendation.
Altlutheraner 