Historians like dates. And one of the dates that historians like best is October 31, 1517. On that day one monk with mallet in hand nailed a document to the church door in Wittenberg. It contained a list of Ninety-Five Theses for a debate. The immediate concern was an indulgence sale to finance St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome and the Sistine Chapel—Michelangelo didn’t come cheap. Martin Luther, the mallet-wielding monk, could keep silent no longer. He got much more than a debate, however. He and his list of Ninety-Five Theses triggered a Reformation that would sweep across the German lands, across Europe, and eventually across the entire world. The world would never be the same. Luther’s act gave birth to the Protestant church, now nearly 600 million members strong. Luther’s act also brought the world out of medieval times and into the modern age. Little wonder historians like the date October 31, 1517.
The study of church history is vital. It provides us with plenty of examples—good, bad, and even ugly—of Christians from all walks of life and from a variety of contexts who labored to bring their faith to bear upon the world in which they lived. Church history is like one grand classroom focused on living out Christ’s final command to his church—to be disciples in the world. When we remember the lessons, we tend to do well. When we forget or ignore them, we tend to stumble. –Stephen J. Nichols
During the time of the Reformation, God raised up able men such as Huss, Savernorola, Calvin, Zwingli, Beza, Bucer, Vermigli, Bullinger, Farel, Knox and others to radically develop a distinctly biblical worldview. If for no other reason than the density and rapidity of change, sixteenth-century Europe experienced a transformation in worldview that was more nearly a revolution in the conventional sense of the term than perhaps any other period comparable period in history. –Scott Amos
The heart of Reformation doctrine was the five Solas:
· Sola Scriptura, meaning “Scripture alone”: The Bible is the sole and final authority in all matters of life and godliness.
· Sola Gratia, meaning “grace alone”: Salvation is by God’s grace alone.
· Sola Fide, meaning “faith alone”: Salvation is through faith alone.
· Sola Christus, meaning “Christ alone”: Salvation is found in the finished work of Jesus Christ alone.
· Soli Deo Gloria, meaning “the glory of God alone”: All of life can be lived for the glory of God; everything we do can and should be done for God’s glory.
I believe that our theology determines our practice. What we believe determines what we think, say, and do. If we as a church don’t get it right on the doctrines of the Bible, Christ, and salvation, then our practice will be headed in the wrong direction. Although the reformers were not perfect, God used them in great ways. We would do well to remember them and benefit from their contributions. The Reformers didn’t set out to invent something new. They simply sought to rediscover what had been lost. In many ways, we find ourselves in a similar predicament.
The Reformers often used a phrase that is still relevant for us today, “Ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda,” meaning “the church reformed, always reforming.” On this side of eternity we will always be reforming in order to more clearly and accurately articulate biblical doctrine and exercise it rightly for the glory of God. Soli Deo Gloria!
Interested in further Study? There are so many good books on church history that it would be hard to choose a few. Biographies are always my favorite. Here are two books that I have read recently:
“Revolutions in Worldview”, ed. W. Andrew Hoffecker (Phillipsburg, New Jersey: P&R Publishing, 2007)
“The Reformation: How a Monk with a Mallet Changed the World”, Stephen J. Nichols (Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2007)
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