Reflections on Prophetic Voices in the Church

Erfurt Cathedral in Erfurt Germany where Martin Luther studied and was ordained.

Recently, I led a trip to Germany and Switzerland to explore the Protestant Reformation, concluding in Berlin with reflections on the Cold War and World War II. It is a journey I have led many times with students and church members. The overarching question I pose to each group is this: What is the role of the Church throughout history as a prophetic voice both within and beyond its own walls?

The history of the Church is filled with remarkable expressions of God’s grace, as well as periods of profound failure and sin. Throughout the centuries, voices from within the Church have risen to confront both Church and State when their policies, actions, and behaviors have stood in opposition to the principles of the gospel. These prophetic voices were rarely welcomed or rewarded. Many were killed, excommunicated, imprisoned, or forced to flee for their lives.

The Protestant Reformers spoke out against a well-established Church whose practices and doctrines had strayed far from Scripture. Church practices had evolved beyond the teachings of the Bible, and papal authority had reached unprecedented levels. Forgiveness of sins had been packaged and marketed through the sale of indulgences. The Church had become entangled with the elite, the nobility, and political alliances, as well as the pursuit of wealth and power. While countless priests, nuns, and monks faithfully served the people, the Church’s leadership was preoccupied with control and influence.

For the reformers, standing against such an entrenched establishment was no easy task. Power seldom welcomes critical voices. Yet, the Reformation ultimately led to new movements—many of which, over time, established their own authoritarian structures and suppressed fresh expressions of the gospel. Even Luther and Calvin, despite their groundbreaking reforms, supported the persecution of Anabaptists. Luther himself endorsed the violent suppression of peasants who, inspired by the very gospel he preached, revolted against the nobility.

History teaches us that prophets can become the establishment, and when they do, God often raises new prophetic voices to speak truth to power and reawaken people to the gospel. Today, we stand in need of such voices—voices that will call into account actions, behaviors, and policies of both political administrations and Church authorities that stand in opposition to the message of Christ.

Love, not hate; grace, not anger; mercy, not vengeance—these are the foundations of the gospel of Jesus. When the Church oppresses others, silences dissent or aligns itself with political powers in pursuit of influence, it follows a well-trodden path that leads away from Christ.

Matthew 25:37-40 concludes with a powerful parable that still speaks prophetically to us today:

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

Let us learn from history and remain centered in Christ when it is convenient and when it is not. Let us be the voice of prophets both inside and outside the church.

Steve Lewis