Word: synods
(lookup in dictionary)
(lookup stats)
Dates: all
Sort By: most recent first
(reverse)
...Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, traditionally one of the most aloof of U.S. denominations, is edging into the ecumenical century. At its biennial convention last week in New York City, the synod took some significant steps toward closer relations with other Christian churches...
...however, confronted the National Socialist Party, the Hitler Youth, and a group called "German Christians." The German Christians were extremists who combined theological liberalism with anti-semitism and nationalism. Resistance was organized under the leadership of Pastor Martin Niemoeller in the Pastor's Emergency Federation, and at the Barmen Synod the declaration was adopted according to which Jesus Christ is the only Word of God that men are to hear, trust, and obey. The pastors were harrassed, arrested, deported, called into military service, prevented from conducting services, not allowed to train theological students, and their churches were pacified...
...Theological Declaration of Barmen, like the Scots and Westminster Confession, involved politics. Barmen illustrates the importance of having an eye for the political and social issues that are close by whenever theological statements are made. Barmen, in Germany in 1934, was the meeting place of the first Synod of the Confessing Church. The Synod said Jesus Christ is the only Word of God that men are to hear, trust, and obey; the Synod condemned the suggestion that there might be any source for the church's proclamation other than revelation...
...troubles of the German Pastors and their people in the Confessing Church cannot be compared to the suffering of Germany's Jews. But the Synod made a declaratory statement about whom they would hear, trust, and obey which is one part of the Book of Confessions and the principal model for the Confession...
Although that hope is gone, there is a strong possibility that the Pope will create a new bicameral structure for the church. The sacred college would remain as a forum for electing new Popes and honoring Catholicism's faithful servants; but the synod would more and more become a senate of trusted confidants, advising the Pope on the governing of the church...