sola gratia

October 31, 2007

490 years of Reformation history

Listen to a lecture by Riddlebarger “The Reformation: Then and Now“

Read: Landry, “Wither Protestantism?“

Are we past the Reformation? Don’t Luther, Calvin matter anymore? I have heard from within the evangelical community that the reformation was just a reaction to the church’s excesses of the day. It is time to patch up things and discuss our differences. Having said this, the state of our churches and theology today seem to reflect this kind of attitude and indifference. Pastors and church leaders have been complaining about too much theology and not much practical things coming from seminary and seminary students. There are even complaints about “picking” on popular preachers today. They are popular and successful, that is why.

Was Martin Luther wrong? Were John Calvin, John Knox or any of those reformers wrong? Have we lost track of their sacrifices to just put all aside and continue on?

On October 31st, we will commemorate the 490th year of the nailing of the 95 Theses or un-popularly known as the Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences. So as a result of the document’s call for debate on ninety-five issues Luther was condemned and found to be a criminal. And that is now history to us.

Remember the solas.

Remember to celebrate (sic) Reformation Day on October 31 or Reformation Sunday on October 28.

This is a free resource that you can download for your Sunday bulletin cover.

You may also visit the online exhibit of the Presbyterian Historical Society.

Happy 489th Reformation Day! It is so sad that as we come closer to the first 500 years of the Reformation, we see the church and many believers have forgotten the essence of the 95 Theses. In fact, just ask any Christian today what it means, most probably he or she will shrug his/her head in ignorance. Ask Christian what October 31st signifies, the normal answer, would be the eve of All Saints’ Day or Halloween!

The 95 Theses:

The protagonist, Martin Luther, or vice versa, considered a fugitive.
The antagonist, the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope and indulgences.

What Martin Luther stands for: justification by faith alone, the material cause of the Reformation. Justification is the result of faith not works.

The Bondage of the Will. A very good argument against human freedom.

We have come a long way in our understanding of justification. May the church continue to defend and uphold this truth. Soli Deo Gloria.