Re:Formation

“Hey, I got your email about “Formation” last week. So, I understand more about how the foundations of the Church were established. Now, what about the Reformation?” 

     While the topic of the Reformation is too complex for me to provide a comprehensive analysis, it is my hope that I can summarize the importance of it in history, while highlighting some of the main tenets that helped to recapture the purity of the Gospel. 

“I WRITE THIS POST NOT TO IDOLIZE A MAN NAMED MARTIN LUTHER, OR TO TAKE UP AN EVENT OUT OF CONTEXT; NOT TO STIR UP DIVISION, OR TO CAUSE CONFUSION; BUT TO HIGHLIGHT THE TRUE PURITY OF THE GOSPEL.”

     So, what exactly is the Reformation and what is the importance of it today? Simply put, the Reformation was a movement that was sparked on October 31st, 1517 in Wittenberg, Germany. Also called the Protestant Reformation, the name points to the fact that people began to protest the idea of Papal supremacy (lifting up instead the supremacy of God-breathed Scripture), among other things.  Posting a multitude of 95 theses in a public space, but in the official Catholic Church language of Latin, Martin Luther did not initially intend to have his concerns publicized. The concerns that he had toward the practices of the 16th century Roman Catholic Church, such as the exploitation of people through the sale of indulgences, were seemingly meant to be expressed within the Church, and perhaps could have been resolved. However, the theses were soon translated into the common language of German, becoming widespread due to the relatively new innovation of the printing press. Therefore, the concerns that were intended to be kept within the context of the Church actually stirred up a public movement that spread even beyond Germany, and now the effects are seen all over the world. 

Again, this is a very complex subject, but the following Latin slogans (The 5 Solas) that became the motifs of the Reformation era get to the heart of what can be affirmed by Christians (the key word being ALONE): 

Sola Gratia –> Saved by Grace ALONE (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Sola Fide –> Through Faith ALONE (Galatians 2:16). 

Solus Christus –> In Christ ALONE (John 14:6, and 1 Timothy 2:5).

Sola Scriptura –> According to Scripture ALONE (2 Timothy 3:16, and Matthew 22:29-32). 

Soli Deo Gloria –> To the Glory of God ALONE (1 Corinthians 10:31).

     While these may seem simple, they represent profound truths that are captured in the beautiful pages of Scripture. 

     I write this post not to idolize a man named Martin Luther, or to take up an event out of context; not to stir up divison, or to cause confusion; but to highlight the true purity of the Gospel. The need for Reformation did not end in the 16th century. Christ is buliding His Church, and we must constantly be conforming our hearts and our lives to the purity of the message of eternal life; that “if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). Now, I guess there is only one thing left to say  . . . Soli Deo Gloria!