At the center of the Old Town Square in the capital city of the Czech Republic stands a monument to one of its medieval citizens, the Bohemian reformer, Jan Hus. Born in what was known as Husinec, Bohemia in 1369, Hus would become not only a figure of national importance to the Czech nation but also an ideological forerunner to the Protestant Reformation. With great courage, impeccable character, and unquenchable passion, Hus held fast to his beliefs and challenged many moral and theological abuses in the medieval church. The reward of his resolve was martyrdom at a burning stake in accordance with the condemnation passed down by the Council of Constance in 1415. He was declared a heretic by the council for challenging the authority of the church. When afforded the opportunity to recant, Hus chose death instead.
In modern times, Christians from various traditions have been inspired by Hus’s courage and resolution. Protestant church historian, Bruce Shelley, writes, “Few scenes in church history are more touching than Hus’s fidelity and refusal to swerve from absolute truth, even to save his life.” In a similar vein, Pope John Paul II issued an apology at a 1999 symposium in Rome for Hus’s brutal death and praised him for his “moral courage.” This, of course, is not to suggest that there were not serious differences between Hus and those who put him to death. One does not get burned at the stake over adiaphora, that is, the “indifferent things.” However, even those who would disagree with Hus should at least admire the tenacity with which he held his convictions.
Hus is an imitable character of history and worthy of our attention, especially in the context of our present culture. As many in our day abandon moral absolutes and challenge the very nature of objective truth, the example of Hus should inspire us to recognize our core values and resolve to hold them dearly, even in the face of certain death. Hus’s core values revolved around his commitment to the authority of God’s Word. He, like the reformers that would follow him, held fast to the conviction that God’s Word was clear and authoritative, especially in matters of morality. As Hus ministered in a culture plagued by institutional oppression and moral corruption, he served as a clear and unwavering witness to truth. Not even fire was able to silence the Bohemian reformer, for his legacy continues even to this day.
So what about you? What is the truth that captivates you? That is worthy of the giving of your life? That you would refuse to renounce, even as the flames rise? Do you possess such a conviction? You might not agree with Hus on every detail, but I commend him to you as an example of conviction and constancy in the face of oppression, intolerance, and persecution. As our culture becomes more openly hostile toward Christians, we will need examples like Hus that remind us that some truths are worth the trials, even the fiery ones.
CBH
