Brian (re change in the LCMS):
Prior to that document, many in the LCMS were pretty much like the ALC and LCA in their critical approach to scriptures. That changed. (Emphasis Added)
Me:
Yes, this was my experience also. And I knew and heard of LCMS pastors who - sometimes painfully and for both good and bad reasons - changed how they preached and what they said in public after 1973.
It is interesting that while much is said and written about 'that document' nothing has been said or written indicating 'that document' contains anything in conflict with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions.
Apparently 'that document' enabled pastors to better preach, teach and express the Scriptures and Confessions.
Except "that document" placed itself or was placed by vote to be on par with scripture and the Lutheran confessions. It isn't. It makes the LCMS skirt close to sectarianism and reduces the confessional priority of scripture as the only judge, rule and norm see FC preface (richter, regel. richschnur) of Christian teaching by creating additional parameters. big no no
OK ... the document is in accordance with scriptures and the confessions .... but is sectarian. Guess that's clear as mud.
By the way, a sect is "a group of people with somewhat different religious beliefs (typically regarded as heretical) from those of a larger group to which they belong."
Apparently you are having difficulties demonstrating how the document is different (and heretical) ... therefore it is rather difficult to honestly label it sectarian?
Your original comment needs some nuancing, too.
"It is interesting that while much is said and written about 'that document' nothing has been said or written indicating 'that document' contains anything in conflict with Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions." That document contains nothing in conflict with the LCMS's understanding of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. It's not a document that expresses the ELCA's understanding of Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions. In fact, as Charles and I have heard from some older LCMS clergy, it doesn't express their understanding of (nor what they had been taught) about Scripture and the Lutheran Confession.
"Sectarian" depends on how you define "a larger group to which they belong." If the larger group is only the LCMS, then it was inline with what the larger group believes. If the larger group are the Lutherans, i.e., those who adhere to the Augsburg Confession, the LCMS is seen as sectarian by some of us. If the larger group is the one holy catholic and apostolic church, I see the LCMS as sectarian.
The sectarian policies as I see them are the refusal to worship with other Lutherans/Christians. Refusing to be part of Lutheran World Federation. The refusal to share the Lord's Supper with other believers. Classifying others as heretical or heterodox, (while considering themselves as orthodox or confessional).
In my conversation with the conservative LCMS pastor, who would insist that if folks agreed with his preaching they needed to join an LCMS congregation, I asked if the LCMS was sectarian. He said that they were. I'm pretty sure that in his view, they were right and everyone else was wrong.