Sound Theology

by Timothy Teuscher

“Unto you is born a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). That is the good news the shepherds heard from the angel concerning the “baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger” (2:12)… and what we still hear today in our celebration of Christmas. “You are My beloved Son” (Mark 1:9). That is what the people heard from the voice which came from heaven when Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan River… and what we also hear today at the beginning of the Epiphany season. 

This is most significant; for as St. Paul writes: “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?… So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:14-15, 17). These words led Martin Luther to make an insightful statement: “The ear is the organ of faith.”

These words led Martin Luther to make an insightful statement: “The ear is the organ of faith.”

Now, the dictionary basically has a twofold definition of the word ‘sound.’  First, that which is solid, firm, reliable, true; and second, that which is perceived by the sense of hearing, an auditory impression.

For this reason, what is proclaimed and taught and sung in our congregations must not only be sound theology—that is, based on God’s inspired and inerrant Word. But it is also to be that which is orally proclaimed and heard with our “ears” (even if “heard” via sign-language and other means for those who are hearing impaired).

Think of the five senses: hearing, sight, touch, smell, taste. Hearing is the most passive of all. While we can close our eyes, withdraw our hand, hold our nose, or keep our mouth closed; the ear is different. It simply receives that which comes its way. And when our other senses come first? Well, then our faith and teaching will not be sound or true.

This is what caused Thomas to doubt what he heard from the other disciples concerning Jesus’ resurrection. “Unless I see in His hands the marks of the nails,” he replied, “and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into His side, I will never believe” (John 20:25). And do you remember what Jesus said to him eight days later? “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (20:29)… believed, that is, through the hearing of the Word of Christ.

“Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed” (20:29)… believed, that is, through the hearing of the Word of Christ.

So, too, when it comes to the Lord’s Supper. What we see and taste and touch and smell are just ordinary wine and common bread. This has led many a person and many a church to conclude and teach that the bread and wine are nothing more than symbols or reminders of Jesus’ body and blood—unsound theology so to speak. But when we first and foremost hear the words of Jesus, “This is my body…. This is my blood” (Matthew 26:26, 28), then we are led to believe and teach: “It is the true body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ under the bread and wine” (Small Catechism VI.2).  

Now, to be sure, what we hear is not always sound theology. The world around us is full of noise, what Ambrose Bierce once called ‘a stench in the ear.’ This is especially so when it comes to spiritual matters. The devil, after all, would fill our ears with lies and unsound theology, just as he did in the beginning with our first parents, saying to them: “Did God actually say?” (Genesis 3:1). So, too, God says concerning false teachers: “I am against the prophets… who use their tongues… and lead My people astray by their lies” (Jeremiah 23:31-32).    

That is why the Scriptures are replete with a constant exhortation and admonition to hear only the Word of the Lord. For instance: “Incline your ear and come to Me; hear, that your soul may live” (Isaiah 55:3). And again: “Whoever is of God, hears the words of God” (John 8:47). And further: “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it” (Hebrews 2:1). In short, the Bible was written in order to be ‘read’ with our ears. 

And what better New Year’s resolution for each one of us than the words of the hymn: “Lord, open now my heart to hear, And through Your Word to me draw near; Let me Your Word e’er pure retain; Let me Your child and heir remain” (LSB 908:1). Sound theology to remember.

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Rev. Dr. Timothy Teuscher is President of Lutheran Church–Canada (LCC).

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