By Faith and Grace: The Word

Pastor John Hernandez at the Mission Emmaus Lutheran Church in the city of Medellin, Colombia has been doing a lot to prepare for the celebration this year of the 500^th year of the reformation.  One way he has been doing this is through a short weekly radio program discussing principles of Lutheran theology. These programs are called “By Faith and Grace”. I have translated the first one below as well as included the link to the radio program in Spanish (even if you don't speak Spanish, it is worth listening to, it is done so well!).

Click the image to listen to the  audio. 

The Word, by Pastor John Hernandez

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 
The Word became flesh and lived among us (John 1: 1, 14).

One of the most important features of the Lutheran church is its appreciation for the word of God. In fact the Lutheran church is known as the church of the word. But what do we mean when we say ‘the word’?

Some Christians identify ‘the word’ with scripture. Lutherans, however, understand that those are two different things. For us ‘the word’ is not a book but a person. For Lutherans, all of Scripture (the Old and the New Testament), bears witness to ‘the Word’. Thus, scripture is God's word to us insofar as it reveals Christ to us.

At one time Luther, speaking of his adversaries, said that they “cast down the scripture against Christ”, he nevertheless “stood firm in Christ even against scripture”. Luther could affirm without any difficulty that Christ was the canon within the canon, that is, the norm through which all scripture should be interpreted. Any biblical interpretation that distances us from the love of God in Christ ceases to be for us the word of God.

That is why scripture is not absolute because the only absolute is God. The proper interpretation of the scripture is one that places Christ in the center and expresses the transforming action of the love of God. That is why we must be careful not to make scripture a god, not to fall into bibliolatry. Because any interpretation in which Jesus Christ ceases to be the center, ceases to be for us ‘the word of God’, and becomes an oppressive idol.

Let us pray: God of love, in your mercy come to us and speak to us, help us to listen clearly and keep us firm in your word. Through your son, your word made flesh. Amen.

Here is the link to the program (it's worth the listen).