Reformation: 500 Years Later

Happy Reformation Day! It was on this day 500 years ago that Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis (ideas) on the door of the castle church in Wittenberg, which basically called out the wrong theology of the Catholic Church. And while to us this appears to be simply a religious matter, a debate within the church, it really was a public declaration against the culture of that time period since the Catholic Church was the main power broker of the time — the Pope raised up and cast down kings and queens, started wars, and really controlled much of how the general population thought and acted. Luther wanted to bring people back to Scripture (or in reality, introduce them to Scripture for the first time), and let them know that it wasn’t the Church that saved them, but it was faith in Jesus Christ, in His accomplished work, His life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Out of the 95 thesis, and the debate that followed, 5 main points emerged that shaped the Reformation, and defined the Protestant church and it’s members:

1. Sola Scripture – Scripture alone. The Bible is the ultimate authority for the Christian. (2 Tim 3:14-17)

2. Soli Deo Gloria – For the glory of God alone. All of our life, every part of it, is meant to be lived for God’s glory. (1 Cor 10:31; 1 Pet 4:11; 2 Pet 3:1; Rom 11:36)

3. Solo Christo – By Christ’s work alone are we saved. It is only by Jesus that we are saved. (1 Tim 2:5-6; Col 1:13-18)

4. Sola Gratia – By Grace alone do we have salvation. It is not our works, or through our effort, that we remain in God’s family. (Eph 1:3-8)

5. Sola Fide – Justification by Faith alone. We do not earn, or buy our right standing with God. It is a gift from God, freely given to us. (Gal 3:6-11)

Even though the Reformation took place 5 centuries ago, as Christ followers it should still impact us today. “The Reformation was always intended to be an ongoing project. One of its slogans was semper reformanda, usually translated as “always reforming”; but a better translation may be “always being reformed” (by God’s Word). It describes not a movement forward to some uncharted horizon but a continual movement back to God’s Word.”  (Excerpt From: Michael Reeves, Why the Reformation Still Matters.) As Christians we are called to continue the work of Christ, to do the will of God and further His Kingdom here on earth as it is in Heaven, and this means a continual reforming of our lives as we follow Christ and try to be more like Him. This coming Sunday we will celebrate the work of the reformers, and hopefully be encouraged to continue their work in our present day and culture. Our gathering starts at 6pm – hope to see you there.

Pastor Mike