“But now the righteousness of God…is revealed…through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe…being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith…to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.” Romans 3:21-26 NKJV
What would you do if someone arrived in town who started selling official documents from church authorities that claimed the purchase thereof could liberate your dead relatives from the fiery torments of hell? History records this was the situation in Europe in the 1500’s. Medieval Christendom was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church and characterized by greed, corruption, and unbiblical practices. The Bible and church services were also only in Latin, a language which few people could understand and fewer could read. Men like John Wycliffe and William Tyndale believed the Bible should be in the language of the people so they could read it and enjoy the treasures of God’s Word themselves. These men and others like John Hus were condemned by the church and many were burned at the stake.
An Augustinian monk named Martin Luther was disgusted by the abuses of the sale of indulgences and on October 31st, 1517, posted his 95 Theses on the church door in Wittenburg, Germany detailing his protests against unbiblical practices of the church. Luther had come to understand while studying the book of Romans that sinners become right with God on the basis of their faith in Christ not their religious works (Rom.1:17). Attending masses, observing rites, venerating relics, and purchasing of indulgences have no spiritual merit in the sight of a holy God.
Throughout Europe, men like John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Knox were raised up who along with Luther sounded five battle cries known as the “5 Solas of the Reformation.” They taught that the Bible is the authority not church councils, tradition, and popes (“Sola Scriptura”: Latin-“by Scripture alone”). Christ is the Head of the Church and deliverance from the penalty of sin in hell is only available through His substitutionary sacrifice (“Solus Christus”: Latin-“by Christ alone”). This gift is freely available to everyone by God’s grace apart from religious works (“Sola Gratia”: Latin-“by grace alone”) and is received through faith alone in Christ (“Sola Fide”: Latin-“by faith alone”). Salvation is for the glory of God alone as He is the Eternal King, Sovereign Creator, and Merciful Redeemer of rebel sinners (“Soli Deo Gloria”: Latin-“for the glory of God alone”).
Despite excommunication, banishment, and execution the Reformers rescued the gospel from the clutches of spiritual darkness and their influence spread like an “unquenchable flame” throughout Europe. The Bible was translated into the language of the people, churches were founded that sought to be faithful to the teachings of the Bible, multitudes were saved, and Western Christian Civilization was eventually established in the New World.
May we never forget God’s grace is freely available to everyone on the basis of the shed blood of Christ and received through faith alone. Let us pray that the mighty hand of our great God would raise up a new generation of leaders of resolute biblical conviction who will courageously stand upon the absolute authority of the Word of God and be used of His Spirit to ignite a spiritual passion for reformation, revival, and revitalization of the church and family in this era of history for His honor and glory alone. Just as Matthew Henry, the Bible commentator, emphasized, may the Reformation indeed begin right in our own homes and families to the praise of God’s glory in Christ Jesus!
Recommended Resources:
“Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation” by Erwin W. Lutzer
“The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation” by Michael Reeves
“On the Shoulders of Giants: What the Reformers Would Say to Us Today” DVD by Todd Friel
