Sermon Tone Analysis

Question 101.

But may we swear an oath by the name of God in a godly manner?

The Commentary of Dr. Zacharias Ursinus on the Heidelberg Catechism (I.

What Is an Oath?)

An oath, properly speaking, is a calling upon God, as the one who knows the heart, that he will bear witness to the truth, and punish me if I swear falsely.

For the oath was instituted by God, that it might serve as a bond of truth between men, and be a testimony that God is the author and defender of truth.

Question 101.

But may we swear an oath by the name of God in a godly manner?

Yes, when the government demands it of its subjects, or when necessity requires it, in order to maintain and promote fidelity and truth, to God’s glory and for our neighbor’s good.

Such oath-taking is based on God’s Word and was therefore rightly used by saints in the Old and the New Testament.

Tanong 101.

Subalit maaari ba tayong manumpa na gamit ang pangalan ng Diyos sa pamaraang may paggalang?

Oo, kapag hinihingi ito ng pamahalaan sa mga nasasakupan nito, o kung hinihingi ng pagkakataon, upang mapanatili at pag-ibayuhin ang katapatan at katotohanan, para sa kaluwalhatian ng Diyos at ikabubuti ng ating kapwa.

Ang ganitong panunumpa ay nababatay sa Salita ng Diyos at, samakatuwid, ay ginamit nga ng tama ng mga banal sa Luma at Bagong Tipan.

Deuteronomy 6:13 (ESV)

It is the Lord your God you shall fear.

Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear...You shall fear the Lord your God.

You shall serve him and hold fast to him, and by his name you shall swear.

Scriptural Examples

Abraham and Abimelech (Gen.

21:22-24)

Jacob and Laban (Gen.

31:51-54)

Joshua and the Gibeonites (Josh.

9:15, 19-21)

David and Saul (1 Sam.

24:21-22)

David and Bathsheba (1 Kings 1:28-30)

Paul (Rom.

1:9; 2 Cor.

1:23)

On Lawful and Unlawful Oaths (Zacharias Ursinus)

Only such oaths are lawful as are evidently not opposed to the word of God, and which are made concerning things true, certainly known, lawful, possible, weighty, necessary, useful, and worthy of such and so great a confirmation, or of such things as require a confirmation for the glory of God and the safety of our neighbor.

It is only in reference to such things, that it is lawful for us to make oath.

Unlawful oaths are such as are plainly in opposition to the word of God, and made in reference to things which are either false, uncertain, unlawful, impossible, or light and trifling.

Of such things no one should make oath: for he who makes oath in reference to things which are false, calls God to witness a lie.

Question 102.

May we also swear by saints or other creatures?

No.

A lawful oath is a calling upon God, who alone knows the heart, to bear witness to the truth, and to punish me if I swear falsely.

No creature is worthy of such honour.

Tanong 102.

Maaari rin ba tayong manumpa sa pamamagitan ng mga santo o ng ibang nilalang?

Hindi.

Ang makatuwirang panunumpa ay pagtawag sa Diyos, na Siyang tanging nakakakilala ng puso, na magpatotoo sa katotohanan at parusahan ako kapag ako’y nanumpa ng mali.

Walang nilalang ang karapat-dapat sa ganitong karangalan.

How Swearing an Oath Reveals God’s Attributes (Theodorus VanderGroe)

God’s omniscience

God’s omnipresence and omnipotence

God’s holiness and veracity

God’s goodness and grace

God’s justice

God’s majesty