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An LCMS Appeals Panel has reversed Atlantic District
President David Benke’s suspension. This
article contains the letter stating objections to the Panel’s decision by
LCMS Second Vice President, Dr. Wallace Schulz.
This is the first time in the history of the LCMS that
an official document of the LCMS states that the belief and practice of the
Synod is not based on the Bible alone. LCMS
Bylaws, as interpreted by the Synod’s Commission on Constitutional
Matters, are now given a higher authority than the Word of God in the LCMS.
A brief summery of the report by the Decision of
Dispute Resolution Panel
April 10, 2003
can be found at http://www.crisisinthelcms.org/responsetoDRP.htm
The full text of the Decision of Dispute Resolution
Panel
April 10, 2003
can be found at http://www.crisisinthelcms.org/appendixRR.htm
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May 11, 2003
Dr. Raymond L. Hartwig, Secretary
The
Lutheran
Church
—
Missouri
Synod
1333 South Kirkwood Road
St. Louis
,
MO
63122
Dear Secretary Hartwig,
“I am the LORD, that is My name; I will not give My
glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8).
On
April 11, 2003
I received from the
Lutheran
Church
—
Missouri
Synod’s Dispute Resolution Panel its decision to lift the suspension of
Rev. David Benke and thereby also restore him to the office of President of
the Atlantic District of the LCMS. As
the elected officer of the LCMS appointed to adjudicate this case, I
suspended Pastor Benke from his office as President of the Atlantic District
for his joining in prayer and worship with leaders of non-Christian
religions, something clearly forbidden by God’s Word and our Synod’s
Constitution.
I strongly disagree with the Panel’s decision to lift
the suspension of Dr. David Benke, but I will not appeal the decision.
Our Synod has been through enough of this process.
Our Synod has also become deeply divided over this issue.
Past experience shows that one party repeatedly has violated the
prohibition against publicity in this case.
Therefore, any meaningful appeal process would be useless, if not
impossible, since these violations would surely continue.
I am also deeply shocked, as I am sure others will be,
that the Panel states: “Rev. Wallace Schulz went on to present a very
thorough argument concerning the charges on the basis of the Holy Scriptures
alone,” after which the Panel immediately writes: “However,” and then
maintains that this case had to be determined on the basis of an LCMS
convention resolution. In fact,
the Panel’s decision makes over 25 references to the controversial
resolution and an additional 35 references to bylaws BUT FAILS TO MAKE EVEN
A SINGLE REFERENCE TO THE HOLY SCRIPTURES!
In other words, even though this case involves a very serious offense
against God’s First Commandment and must therefore be dealt with on the
basis of God’s Word, THE PANEL HAS DECIDED TO RULE ON THE BASIS OF A MAN
MADE RESOLUTION! In its decision
the Panel has clearly violated the Constitution of The Lutheran
Church–Missouri Synod and sinned against the Word of God, since Article
VIII of the LCMS Constitution states “All matters of doctrine and
conscience shall be decided ONLY by the Word of God.”
If the Panel’s decision is permitted to stand
unchallenged, its impact will reach far beyond the Benke case, fundamentally
changing our Synod and leading it to resolve spiritual issues on the basis
of men’s opinions rather than God’s Word.
Pastor David Benke and his supporters have stated that
“It’s OK to Pray,” that is, it is OK for LCMS clergy to join in prayer
and worship with heathen. I pray
that all pastors of the LCMS would confess with me that joining in prayer
and worship with non-Christians is against God’s Word and conscience
governed by God’s Word.
Through their erroneous dependence on man-made
documents, some leaders of the LCMS have now forced our beloved Synod into
the greatest crisis in its history: Will
the LCMS build its future on God’s Word or men’s opinions?
“IF THE FOUNDATIONS ARE DESTROYED, WHAT CAN THE RIGHTEOUS DO?”
(Psalm 11:3).
Sincerely submitted in our Lord’s name, the Name
above every name (Philippians 2:9).
Rev Wallace Schulz
Second Vice-President
The
Lutheran
Church
—
Missouri
Synod
C:
Rev. David Mahsman, Editor, Reporter
Other
interested parties
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