Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum
Since the beginning of the Lutheran Reformation, the letters VDMA have served not only as a theological symbol but as a confessional device and mark of protestant reformers. These anglicised letters serve as an acronym for the Latin phrase Verbum Domini Manet in Aeternum (VDMA) which translates as, ‘The Word of the Lord Endures Forever’ (derived from Isaiah 40:8 and 1 Peter 1:23-25).
It is a declaration that God not only transcends time, but He is faithful to His promises and will not abandon His chosen people. He will work through the history of Israel for the salvation of all nations, for all who abide in His Word.
In Isaiah 40-55, we see that although Israel had sinned and had been sent into exile in Babylon, the God who manifested His holiness by wrath speaks to his people as their ‘redeemer’ (41:14), creator (43:1), and ‘Saviour’ (43:3). The Lord who once freed them from bondage in Egypt pledges, ‘I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand’ (41:10,13; 43:1,5). God will bring His people back from Babylon against all opposition and will bring comfort to Jerusalem (40:1-9). Kingdoms may rise and fall (40:15-17). The Lord and His Word are above history and all human arrogance.
The deliverance of His people out of exile is only an initial stage in His plan to triumph over sin altogether. This will occur through the substitutionary sufferings of Christ, whom Isaiah refers to as the ‘Servant.’ He is the man of sorrows (52:13 – 53:12). It is the Lord’s will to ‘make his soul an offering for guilt’ for ‘he will justify the many, and their iniquities he will carry’ (53:10-11).
The relationship between Isaiah 40:8 and the gospel of Jesus is revealed in 1 Peter 1:23-25. ‘The Word of the Lord endures forever’ now comes with all the authority of the crucified and risen Lord. What is true of the verbal Word is true even more of the enfleshed Word (Revelation 19:13).
Braunschweig: Portal of the Gewandhaus, Benutzer: Brunswyk, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Luther understood this performative nature of God’s unchanging Word, which does what it says (Isaiah 55:10-11). God’s Word is living and active. Given the proper distinction of law and gospel it works repentance and creates faith. It reforms the Church.
In 1522, Frederick the Wise, who was much influenced by Luther, chose this Latin phrase as his motto. It was sewn on the sleeves of his court’s servants and appeared on Saxon coins dated from 1522. In 1531 it became the official motto of the Smalcaldic League who opposed Emperor Charles V. It appeared on weaponry, flags, banners and armour. Even if the Lutherans were overcome by political might, the redemptive Word would vindicate them at the Last Judgment.
Today we continue to embrace the symbol VDMA, which proclaims the enduring power and truth of God’s Word. Given the increasingly secularised, confusing, and distrustful times in which we live, this is crucial. God’s Word endures forever and only in him can we all stand.
by Pastor Andrew Ruddell