Who are Norma Normans and Norma Normata?
Norma Normans, Norma Normata. These two Latin phrases describe our understanding of the Word of God. They also tell us how the Lutheran Confessions fit into our understanding of the Christian faith.
Norma Normans, the norming norm, that’s a peculiar way of saying that the Word of God, the Bible, is chief over all Christians and Christianity. We read, mark, and inwardly digest the scriptures.
Blessed Lord, You have caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning. Grant that we may so hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them that, by patience and comfort of Your holy Word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. [Collect for the Word, LSB 265]
Our hermeneutic (principle of interpretation) is that scripture interprets scripture. The clearer passages help to understand the less clear. And all of it is given to us for our good, to instruct the Christian life. 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 3:15-17]
It is through this very Word that the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, guides us in all truth. Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. [Psalm 119:105]
Norma Normata, the norm which is normed, is the theology we draw from the scriptures. It must never conflict with the Word of God. The norm, the scriptures, stands above our doctrine and always stands to correct it. Similarly, we should not tolerate preaching or teaching that deviates from the Word of God, not even from an apparent vision from heaven. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. [Galatians 1:8]
Every teacher is subject to the plain teaching of scripture. There were false teachers at the time of the apostles too. They didn’t stand for false teaching within the Body of Christ. And the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. [1 Corinthians 14:32-33]
Those doctrines which stand the test ought to be upheld. False teaching is to be rejected. But, right teaching edifies the church and protects us from sin and great harm. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. [1 Thessalonians 5:19-22]
It’s our duty to preserve and uphold right teaching, not just among us. But it is also our responsibility to retain the right teaching we have received, to discern the former errors and stand watch against them too.
Lord, preserve us by Your Word.
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX
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