Captive To God's Word

I take no delight in the endless quarrels between churches and church members. I do not rejoice in the multitude of christian church denominations. I am puzzled by the growth of so called non-denominational churches in the United States, especially since they generally reflect a particular denominational viewpoint anyway. Born and raised in a family of Lutheran christians, I long to retreat into the catholic church and be done forever with all the dissension and differences.

But note that I said catholic, not Roman Catholic!

The historic, universal, worldwide church has three ecumenical creeds, statements of belief generally accepted by all christians. These include the Apostolic, the Nicene and the Athanasian creeds. In the Nicene Creed we find this phrase: We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I focus on that statement as I continue this brief study of the Reformation.

We christians believe in the Church, especially since we do not always see her with our physical eyes. Yet we believe, because the Holy Spirit has called us to faith in Jesus Christ, God's one and only Son, and our Savior and Lord. The Spirit calls, nurtures and grows this faith in us by means of God's Word. Thus we believe that wherever the Word of God is taught, there also the Holy Spirit is at work creating in the hearts of young and old faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Listen to the Apostle Paul.

But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." - Rom 10:6-11 ESV

The Apostle is paraphrasing a couple other portions of Holy Scripture. The first are the words of Agur, son of Jakeh.

Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son's name? Surely you know! Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. - Pro 30:2-6 ESV

As far as I can tell, no one knows who Agur was. One explanation is that Solomon was playing upon the name's meaning. Agur means "the one who is brave in the pursuit of wisdom"; the son of Jakeh signifies "he who is free from sin." Whatever the intent, Agur's words are preserved in the Book of Proverbs and later quoted by the Apostle.

The point of the quote is obvious. God, the Holy One, dwells in heaven. He controls the wind and waves throughout the earth. Unless He reveals Himself and the name of His son, we know nothing about Him. We are totally reliant upon His revelation. In His Word He speaks to us and His Word is absolutely true. We trust and rely upon that Word precisely because it is God's Word, and not man's. No man can ascend to heaven nor control wind and wave. This is why we dare not add to nor take away from His Words. To do so makes one a liar.

The second quote in Paul's paraphrase comes from the Book of Deuteronomy. Moses is concluding his instructions to the Children of Israel who have completed 40 long years of wandering in the wilderness of the Sinai Peninsula. They are now about to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses promises they will indeed possess the land and the LORD will circumcise their hearts so that they love the LORD with all their hearts and souls. Thus will they live by the power of God speaking to them in His Word.

And you shall again obey the voice of the LORD and keep all his commandments that I command you today. The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. - Deu 30:8-14 ESV

Note again the emphasis upon God speaking personally, in their hearts. No need to ascend to heaven and God's throne. No need to travel beyond the sea to discover some new revelation from a wise man on a distant mountain. No indeed. God Himself came down to you on Mount Sinai. There He spoke face to face with His servant Moses. In turn, Moses gave you God's Word. You heard His voice. Now His Word is both in your heart and on your lips. And as you go to possess the land, God will fulfill all His promises. Trust and obey God's Word and He will bless you. Turn from Him and you will surely perish.

This was the first major premise of the Reformation movement that Martin Luther began. God has given to us His Word. We have no choice but to hear and believe it. This was Luther's stance as he stood accused before the Diet of Worms. Relying completely upon God's Word he is supposed to have said, "Hier stehe Ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir!"

In his seminal book Luther: Man Between God and the Devil (English edition Yale, 2006), Reformation scholar Heiko Oberman correctly renders Luther's speech like this:

Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my basis; my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one's conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.

We christians have always been captive in our consciences to the Word of God. We remain so today.