#11 - Soli Deo Gloria - To God Be All Glory Forever (Romans 11:36)

In this special Reformation Day episode of Navigate The Way ✝️, Gabe Langston and Dave Brooks close out Reformation Month with a powerful dive into Romans 11:36: "For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen."

This episode unpacks the profound implications of Soli Deo Gloria—the Reformation principle that declares all glory belongs to God alone. As Gabe and Dave discuss the verse's rich theological and historical context, they explore how this truth not only fueled the Protestant Reformation but continues to call believers to a life wholly dedicated to God’s glory today.

Journey with them through the echoes of cathedral halls, the voices of the Reformers, and the eternal weight of Paul’s words. Whether in our daily work, relationships, or worship, how can we live out this call to glorify God alone? Don’t miss this episode as we celebrate Reformation Day by rediscovering a timeless truth for every generation.

Join us in navigating the way back to God’s glory. Like, subscribe, and share this episode to celebrate the beauty of the gospel with others!

This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. To check out the tool, visit: https://www.navtheway.com/.

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Transcript

### Gabe Langston:
G'day, listeners! Welcome to Navigate The Way ✝️, the podcast where we dive deep into Scripture to discover truths that continue to shape our faith. I’m Gabe Langston, and I’m thrilled to have you with us for this special episode. Today, we’re closing our Reformation Month series on Reformation Day itself! Over the past few episodes, we’ve explored passages that were central to the Reformers, and today we conclude with Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six—a verse that brilliantly captures the heart of the Reformation. Let’s read it together:

> “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six.

This verse concludes Paul’s discussion of God’s sovereignty and wisdom, reminding us that everything ultimately serves the glory of God. Dave, what strikes you most about Paul’s words here, especially as it relates to the Reformation?

### Dave Brooks:
Thanks for asking, Gabe. I'm Dave Brooks, and it’s always a joy to explore Scripture with you and our listeners. What stands out in Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, is Paul’s comprehensive view of God’s role in creation, redemption, and all of history. When he says, “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things,” Paul is laying out that God is the source, sustainer, and ultimate goal of everything. This isn’t just theological theory—it’s doxology. Paul isn’t merely explaining God’s attributes; he’s worshipping God for His unparalleled majesty. 

For the Reformers, this verse grounded their focus on soli Deo gloria, the doctrine that all glory belongs to God alone. In an age where the church was ascribing undue honor to human authorities, the Reformers were radical in reclaiming all glory for God. It was a paradigm shift that called believers back to a God-centered faith. Gabe, how does this verse connect with the broader context of Romans?

### Gabe Langston:
Absolutely, Dave. Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, isn’t an isolated thought; it’s the crescendo of Paul’s argument throughout chapters nine through eleven, where he wrestles with God’s redemptive plan, especially regarding Israel and the Gentiles. Paul has been laying out profound truths about God’s sovereignty, justice, and mercy. In Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-three, he bursts out in awe, saying, “Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” By the time he reaches verse thirty-six, Paul can only conclude in worship, declaring God’s ultimate glory.

The Reformers saw in this verse a powerful refutation of any human-centered theology. Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, reorients our gaze from ourselves to God as the beginning and end of all things. It challenges any notion that we contribute to our salvation, aligning perfectly with sola gratia, or grace alone. This theme of total dependence on God resonated deeply with Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin, who saw it as liberating believers from the burden of works-based righteousness. Dave, how do Paul’s Greek prepositions here deepen our understanding of his message?

### Dave Brooks:
The Greek terms here are indeed rich, Gabe. Paul’s use of ek for “from,” dia for “through,” and eis for “to” captures an all-encompassing theological truth. “From Him” using ex autou highlights God as the origin of everything; nothing exists independently of Him. “Through Him” using di’ autou emphasizes God’s sustaining power—He upholds all things by His will. And “to Him” using eis auton declares that everything finds its purpose and ultimate end in God.

The Reformers understood this grammatical structure as pointing to God’s absolute sovereignty. John Calvin, for instance, often stressed that every event, good or bad, is within God’s providence, serving His purposes. For them, this wasn’t an abstract doctrine—it was a grounding reality that redefined how they lived out their faith. This comprehensive view of God as the Alpha and Omega gives a foundation for soli Deo gloria, directing all aspects of life and faith toward God’s glory alone. Gabe, how does this verse speak to a Christ-centered understanding of the Bible?

### Gabe Langston:
Exactly, Dave. This verse leads us to a Christ-centered view of Scripture. When Paul says “from Him and through Him and to Him are all things,” he is reflecting the truth that all of God’s purposes are fulfilled in Christ. Colossians, chapter one, verses sixteen and seventeen, echoes this: “All things were created through Him and for Him.” Christ isn’t just part of God’s plan; He is the focal point. This aligns perfectly with the Reformers’ view, as they saw Jesus as the center of all Scripture, the One in whom God’s glory is most fully revealed.

The Reformers, particularly Luther, emphasized that every passage ultimately points to Christ. By returning to this Christ-centered view, they sought to correct the church’s drift toward man-centered interpretations. When we focus on Christ as the culmination of God’s glory, everything falls into place. Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, calls us to live in a way that reflects Christ as both the means and end of our salvation. This perspective doesn’t just inform our theology—it transforms our entire approach to faith and life. Dave, how do you see this verse impacting practical aspects of Christian life?

### Dave Brooks:
Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, has immense practical implications, Gabe. The phrase “from Him, through Him, and to Him” challenges us to view every part of life as an opportunity to glorify God. The Reformers believed that all of life is sacred. They viewed work, family, and church as spheres in which God’s glory should shine. This perspective was radical, especially in a culture that divided the “sacred” from the “secular.” They recognized that even the mundane aspects of life can be acts of worship if done for God’s glory.

This doctrine of soli Deo gloria transformed how they approached work, family, and community. It laid the foundation for the Protestant work ethic, the idea that all vocations honor God when pursued faithfully. For believers today, it means we don’t live for self-achievement; we live to reflect the grace, wisdom, and power of God. Gabe, how do you see this verse challenging the church in our current culture?

### Gabe Langston:
Spot on, Dave. Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, is a much-needed corrective in today’s culture, which often promotes self-centeredness and personal achievement. Society encourages us to glorify ourselves, but Paul’s words remind us that our purpose is to glorify God. This verse challenges Christians to examine whether our lives reflect God’s glory or our own. It has profound implications for how we handle success, influence, and ambition.

For the modern church, it’s a reminder to keep God’s glory at the center of worship and ministry. In a culture obsessed with image and branding, Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, redirects our focus to a life of stewardship and service. The Reformers would argue that true freedom and joy come from glorifying God, not ourselves. This passage calls us to embrace humility and gratitude, recognizing every gift and opportunity as coming from God. Dave, what pastoral insights can we draw from this verse for encouraging believers?

### Dave Brooks:
Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, offers both encouragement and challenge, Gabe. It reassures us that everything—our triumphs, trials, and even the ordinary aspects of life—ultimately serves God’s glory. This perspective gives purpose to every part of life, helping believers find meaning in even the mundane. It also invites us to surrender our own agendas and trust in God’s plan, knowing that His purposes for our lives are ultimately for His glory and our good.

From a pastoral standpoint, this is deeply comforting, especially for those who struggle with purpose or control. It shifts the focus from our plans to God’s sovereignty. For believers struggling with uncertainty, this truth can provide peace, knowing that God’s wisdom is far beyond our own understanding. This passage calls us to live fully surrendered to God, trusting in His goodness. Gabe, how do you think this verse speaks to our witness to a world that often questions purpose and meaning?

### Gabe Langston:
Great thought, Dave. Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, offers a robust framework for apologetics by asserting that everything finds its origin and purpose in God. In a world that often lacks direction and purpose, this verse presents a worldview rooted in God’s glory. Without God, life lacks an ultimate purpose, but with Him, every detail is part of a grand story. This verse invites us to live in a way that reflects God’s glory, offering a coherent and meaningful alternative to secular perspectives.

For Christians, this passage is a call to live with intentionality, to see every action as an opportunity to glorify God. It’s a powerful witness to a world that’s hungry for meaning. By living out soli Deo gloria, we show others that our faith isn’t just a belief—it’s a transformative way of life that reorients us to the Creator. Dave, as we conclude our Reformation series, do you have any final thoughts?

### Dave Brooks:
Absolutely, Gabe. Romans, chapter eleven, verse thirty-six, is the perfect conclusion to our Reformation series, as it calls us to live with a singular focus on God’s glory. If everything is “from Him, through Him, and to Him,” then our lives should reflect that truth. The Reformers saw this as a call to return every area of life to God. They understood that our highest purpose is to glorify Him, not ourselves. As we close, I encourage everyone to reflect on how their lives can better align with this purpose.

Thank you all for joining us throughout Reformation Month! We’d love to hear what Scripture passages you’d like us to explore in future episodes, so please reach out. And remember to like and subscribe so you won’t miss any future discussions.

This show is named after Navigate The Way ✝️, a Christian AI assistant for navigating the depths of Scripture and theology with clarity and conviction. The personas for both Gabe and I, as well as the content of this episode, were all AI-generated using Navigate The Way ✝️. A special thanks to ElevenLabs for our AI-generated voices.