The Word is to be regarded, not the preacher

The last bit is sobering for those called to pastoral ministry, yet it needs to be said. From the Second Helvetic Confession:

Wherefore when this Word of God is now preached in the church by preachers lawfully called, we believe that the very Word of God is proclaimed, and received by the faithful; and that neither any other Word of God is to be invented nor is to be expected from heaven: and that now the Word itself which is preached is to be regarded, not the minister that preaches; for even if he be evil and a sinner, nevertheless the Word of God remains still true and good.

Three points of qualification:

  1. Certainly, this stress on the Word rather than the preacher does not excuse a lack of qualification on the part of the pastor (1 Tim 4:15-16).
  2. The confession goes on to emphasize the illumination of the Spirit so the point isn’t that the Word can only be received from preaching.
  3. I don’t mean to imply that I agree with everything in this confession.

Published by Chris

3 thoughts on “The Word is to be regarded, not the preacher”

  1. Sort of like the Word is what is ultimately authoritative, not the messenger. So you can have a different take on a text than your pastor, but if he stands in a long line and your in left field there better be a bloomin’ good reason and just cause you say so.

  3. Pretty bad typing up there. Should be “you’re” and not “your”, and …”not” just cause you say so. But obviously you got the meaning.

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