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The Schleitheim
Brotherly Union
(Brüderlich
Vereinigung etzlicher Kinder Gottes seiben Artikel betreffend
. . . )
Translated and edited by John Howard Yoder, The Legacy of
Michael Sattler, Herald Press, 1973
Article VII. We have been united as follows
concerning the oath.
We have been united as follows
concerning the oath. The oath is a confirmation among those who
are quarreling or making promises. In the law it is commanded
that it should be done only in the name of God, truthfully and
not falsely. Christ, who teaches the perfection of the law, forbids
His [followers] all swearing, whether true or false; neither
by heaven nor by earth, neither by Jerusalem nor by our head;
and that for the reason which He goes on to give: "For you
cannot make one hair white or black." You see, thereby all
swearing is forbidden. We cannot perform what is promised in
the swearing, for we are not able to change the smallest part
of ourselves. [88]
Now there are some who do not
believe the simple commandment of God and who say, "But
God swore by Himself to Abraham, because He was God (as He promised
him that He would do good to him and would be his God if he kept
His commandments). Why then should I not swear if I promise something
to someone?" The answer: hear what the Scripture says: "God,
since he wished to prove overabundantly to the heirs of His promise
that His will did not change, inserted an oath so that by two
immutable things we might have a stronger consolation (for it
is impossible that God should lie)". [89]
Notice the meaning of the passage: God has the power to do
what He forbids you, for everything is possible to Him. God swore
an oath to Abraham, Scripture says, in order to prove that His
counsel is immutable. That means: no one can withstand and thwart
His will; thus He can keep His oath. But we cannot, as Christ
said above, hold or perform our oath, therefore we should not
swear.
Others say that swearing cannot
be forbidden by God in the New Testament when it was commanded
in the Old, but that it is forbidden only to swear by heaven,
earth, Jerusalem, and our head. Answer: hear the Scripture. He
who swears by heaven, swears by God's throne and by Him who sits
thereon. [90] Observe:
swearing by heaven is forbidden, which is only God's throne;
how much more is it forbidden to swear by God Himself. You blind
fools, what is greater, the throne or He who sits upon it?
Others say, if it is then wrong
to use God for truth, then the apostles Peter and Paul also swore.[91] Answer: Peter and
Paul only testify to that which God promised Abraham, whom we
long after have received. But when one testifies, one testifies
concerning that which is present, whether it be good or evil.
Thus Simeon spoke of Christ to Mary and testified: "Behold:
this one is ordained for the falling and rising of many in Israel
and to be a sign which will be spoken against." [92]
Christ taught us similarly when
He says: [93] Your
speech shall be yea, yea; and nay, nay; for what is more than
that comes of evil. He says, your speech or your word shall be
yes and no, so that no one might understand that He had permitted
it. Christ is simply yea and nay, and all those who seek Him
simply will understand His Word. Amen. [94]
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