ILC urges LCA to ‘hear the Word of Scripture’
This morning’s first session of business opened with a greeting from Rev Dr Albert B Collver, Executive Secretary of the International Lutheran Council (ILC), attending the 19th General Convention of Synod as an international guest.
Rev Dr Collver’s greeting included a short history of the ILC, which has had close relationships with Australian Lutherans since its formation in the early 1950s. He referred to correspondence with internationally renowned theologian Dr Hermann Sasse (by that time living in Australia) and Dr Clement Hoopman, General President of the former Evangelical Lutheran Church of Australia.
‘You face the decision regarding women’s ordination at your convention’, Rev Dr Collver said. ‘No-one can dictate to you what you should do, but we can encourage you to hear the Word of Scripture.
‘The ILC holds to the historic tradition which the church from the time of the apostles has held with other historic churches such as Rome and the Orthodox. As St Paul handed down what he had received (paradosis), we pass to you what we have received from the apostles, the historic catholic church, and the Lutheran Confessors.
‘May Christ grant you wisdom and guidance as you deliberate’, he said.
Read Dr Collver’s full greeting.
