Rooted in Scripture

President Thomas Prachar

by Thomas Prachar

One of my earliest memories from childhood is being tucked in my bed with my mother sitting next to me reading a Bible story before I went off to sleep. I know that those stories made an impression on me. I distinctly remember that when my brother was born, I wanted to name him “Moses.” (For some strange reason, my parents chose “Bob” instead!)

From that time, I have always had a love for reading the Bible. In my pre-seminary days, I was thrilled to learn to read the Holy Scriptures in the original languages of Hebrew and Greek. Yes, there were the frustrations and sweat of learning syntax and grammar. But it all seemed to be worth it as I began to appreciate the meaning and nuances of the language of Holy Scripture. To this day, my Bible is my close friend, telling me on the one hand that I am a sinner, but also assuring me on the other hand that God has forgiven my sin for Jesus’ sake.

To this day, my Bible is my close friend, telling me on the one hand that I am a sinner, but also assuring me on the other hand that God has forgiven my sin for Jesus’ sake.

In this year of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the Latin phrase, “sola Scriptura”—Scripture alone—comes to mind. Our Lutheran Confessions say this about God’s Word: “We receive and embrace with our whole heart, the prophetic and apostolic Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the pure, clear fountain of Israel. They are the only true standard or norm by which all teachers and doctrines are to be judged” (FC SD Rule and Norm 3).

God’s Word is the rock upon which our faith in Jesus as our Saviour is securely anchored. The apostle Paul’s words to Timothy are just as meaningful for us today: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).

———————

Rev. Thomas Prachar is President of the Central District of Lutheran Church–Canada.

Print this article