Daily Watchwords understood as Spirit-guided Scripture selections; mystical intimacy with Christ.
The Moravian Church does not affirm new canonical revelation after Scripture. However, the tradition incorporates some distinctive practices that reflect openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance. The Herrnhuter Losungen (Daily Watchwords)—a daily selection of Scripture passages maintained continuously since 1731—are understood as Spirit-guided selections providing spiritual direction. Count Zinzendorf's mystical Christ-centered piety emphasized intimate experience of communion with Christ. While these are not understood as new canonical revelation, they reflect the Moravian sense of ongoing Spirit-guidance within the bounds of Scripture. The tradition balances commitment to biblical authority with mystical experience.
Key Distinctions
- Current revelation:
- closed — public revelation ended with the death of the Apostles; Scripture is complete
- Prophetic gifts today:
- miraculous prophetic gifts ceased with the Apostolic age (cessationist)
- Tradition authority:
- Scripture alone (sola scriptura) is the final norm
Scripture References
Sources
- Herrnhut Losungen (Daily Watchwords, continuous since 1731)
- Count Zinzendorf, Mystical Writings