wfn.org | German Lutherans Require Further Clarification on Dialogue with

["Frank Imhoff" <FRANKI@elca.org>]

Adventists
Reaction to Report on LWF and Seventh-day Adventists Conversations

HANOVER, Germany/GENEVA, 14 February 2002 (LWI) -The German
National Committee of the Lutheran World Federation (GNC/LWF) has
submitted its reaction to the report on the bilateral
conversations between the LWF and General Conference of
Seventh-day Adventists (SDA).

The GNC/LWF recommends that the SDA be respected as a "Christian
world communion." But, because their special teachings remain
unchanged, the Adventists should still be described for the time
being as a "special communion". This would take account of how
they differ from the free churches which do not have such special
teachings.

In addition, the German Lutherans point out that there is no
Eucharistic fellowship with the Adventists. In view of these major
differences, it could not be recommended either.

This reaction is the GNC/LWF's response to the invitation to the
member churches from the LWF General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Ishmael
Noko, to express themselves on the final report of the bilateral
conversations which has been published under the title "Adventists
and Lutherans in Conversation." Prior to this, a dialogue group
held four theological consultations between 1994 and 1998. Their
aim was to examine the particular stand of the dialogue partners
on doctrine and practice, to promote mutual understanding and to
overcome any existing prejudices.

The GNC/LWF welcomes the fact that the conversations and contacts
between the LWF and SDA came about. The conversations are seen as
an expression that in recent decades, the Adventists have
repeatedly endeavored to come closer to the churches in the
ecumenical movement. For the GNC, the statement that a
far-reaching agreement on the understanding of the Christian faith
has been reached goes far beyond what is offered in the report
submitted.

The GNC/LWF considers it problematical when the final report on
the conversations between the LWF and SDA speaks about an
agreement on the understanding of the scriptures although there is
evidence of fundamental differences precisely in dealing with the
Bible. Lutheran views have not or not sufficiently been presented
in the document. Moreover, the GNC/LWF misses a critical
self-examination by the Adventists relating to their special
teachings.

The GNC believes it is worthwhile to continue the conversations
between the LWF and SDA. They should concentrate on examining
questions which have not yet or not sufficiently been clarified.

The response states that there have been many positive experiences
of successful cooperation between the Lutheran churches and the
SDA fellowship in Germany, for example in the context of the
Arbeitsgemeinschaft Christlicher Kirchen (ACK) - Council of
Christian Churches - but tensions have also been experienced.

The SDA has more than twelve million baptized adult members in 204
countries. In Germany, about 35,000 baptized adults belong to the
movement. The church of the Seventh-day Adventists came into
existence in North America in 1863.

(The seven-page GNC/LWF statement can be found on the Internet
under www.dnklwb.de.)

(The LWF is a global communion of Christian churches in the
Lutheran tradition. Founded in 1947 in Lund (Sweden), the LWF now
has 133 member churches in 73 countries representing over 60.5
million of the 64.3 million Lutherans worldwide. The LWF acts on
behalf of its member churches in areas of common interest such as
ecumenical relations, theology, humanitarian assistance, human
rights, communication, and the various aspects of mission and
development work. Its secretariat is located in Geneva,
Switzerland.)

[Lutheran World Information (LWI) is the information service of
the Lutheran World Federation (LWF). Unless specifically noted,
material presented does not represent positions or opinions of the
LWF or of its various units. Where the dateline of an article
contains the notation (LWI), the material may be freely reproduced
with acknowledgment.]

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