REFORMATION

          The Reformation began as a religious protest against certain practices and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church in the sixteenth century. This protest resulted in various groups being formed throughout Europe against the Catholic Church. These individuals had grown frustrated with its corruption and were leaving the mother church because of:

Ø  Control issues, and their

Ø  Lack of agreement on key points of theology

The ideas of reform were becoming prevalent circulating through Europe mainly because of these three men:

Ø  John Wycliffe, in England

Ø  Jan Huss in Bohemia, and

Ø  Savonarola, in Italy

These and other men spoke out against church policies during that time, but it was Martin Luther who brought the conflict to a head on October 31, 1517. On this day, Martin Luther hammered his Ninety-fifth Theses to the church door. Hammering his Ninety-fifth Theses to the door of the church expressed his disagreements with church policies. Martin Luther hammered his Ninety-fifth Theses to the door of the All Saints church in Wittenberg, Germany. The door of the church in that day symbolized a community bulletin board for the people’s disagreements. The contents of Martin Luther’s Theses criticized the church. He believed that the church did a great deal of damage to the status quo. Martin Luther’s criticisms caused the people to begin to ask themselves questions. Martin Luther’s main issues with the church were:

Ø  The issue of the church selling favors that allowed major donators to receive forgiveness for themselves or departed loved ones. He felt that,

Ø  The Catholic Church as a whole was accepting this method of payment because a portion of the money they received went to build a new Cathedral in Rome, and

Ø  The money that was raised from these indulgences paid off debts that was accrued by the new Bishop while he was buying his way into his new position

          With these reasons for scrutiny, Martin Luther felt that the church’s acceptance of these ungodly practices added to the pattern of corruption and unspiritual leadership that was prevailing. Martin Luther argued that the system of works was in opposition to the Biblical message of Redemption and Grace. Martin Luther wanted his points to be heard. He had no intention of leaving the Catholic Church or launching a new religion; but because of the people’s resistant responses to his views this forced him to. A decree was issued condemning Martin Luther and he was ordered to withdraw his statements. This order promoted his famous response, here I stand, I can do no other.

          Before the whole reformation thing started, Martin Luther had been studying the Book of Romans. While studying this Epistle of Paul’s, he personally acknowledged God’s Grace towards all men and was Born-Again. The church at that time wasn’t teaching about the Grace of God. During that time, they taught the people that good works and religious observances earned individuals Salvation, and forgiveness of sins. When Martin Luther discovered the Biblical teaching that the Just would live by faith, this revelation changed his life, and the world.1 The doctrine of:

Ø  The righteous living by faith, and

Ø  Justification by faith

These Truths are what formed the basis for the reformation way of thinking. Martin Luther came to the realization from Scripture that since it was one’s personal faith that connected them to God; there was no need for any Priest or Pope to:

Ø  Mediate a man’s relationship with God

Because of this newly found truth, Martin Luther stressed that it was unnecessary:

Ø  For a man to ask a Priest or Pope forgiveness of their sins.

Ø  He felt that it was unnecessary for a man to confess his or her sins to another man, and that

Ø  A pardon or forgiveness of sins came from God alone

          The concept of the priesthood of believers came alive in him from that moment.2 Martin Luther believed that because each person has to personally stand before God for judgment, then each individual should be responsible enough to read, hear, and interpret God’s Word for them self.3 The Bible was put back into its place, into the hands of the people. Scripture became the true authority in the church rather than a man’s word. Because Scripture was now placed in the hands of laity, a need arose for the Reformers to translate church Latin into the modern vernacular. Although different Protestant groups had different views on the Lord’s Supper, they were all in agreement that the privilege of taking communion had no saving effect.  It was also found that Salvation was by faith in Christ Jesus who gave His life for all men. They no longer believed or taught that the bread and wine could save men.

           Martin Luther continued to claim Scripture supremacy over all ecclesiastical authority. In his own preaching and teachings, Martin Luther showed from Scripture how the righteousness of sinners is only found in the righteousness of Christ. With these teachings, the newly elected Emperor, Charles the V pressured Martin Luther to prove his claims of supremacy of Scripture over all ecclesiastical authority. Martin responded to that request with three powerful works that were called his Primary Treatises:

Ø  In the address to the German Nobility he appealed to the princes to throw off papal oppression

Ø  In the Babylonian Captivity, he attacked the sacramental system

Ø  In the Freedom of a Christian Man, he expounded the complementary theses that the Christian is both a free lord subject to none, and a servant subject to all

          After which, many feared for the safety of Martin Luther so Elector Frederick arranged for him to be kidnapped one day on his way home. Elector Frederick hid him in the safe castle of the Wartburg under the disguise of George the Knight. While he was at the Wartburg, Martin Luther used that opportunity to begin the work of translating the New Testament from the Greek into German. This translation served as the model for the William Tyndale’s English version. He finished this work in the fall of 1522 and followed it up with an Old Testament translation from the Hebrew. The completed Martin Luther Bible became a tremendous force in the German speaking world, just as the King James Version was later proven to be in the English-speaking world.

          Martin Luther’s Bible is regarded as one of his most valuable offerings to the German church. Martin Luther was not only an accomplished writer he was also a songwriter who wrote the outstanding spiritual classic A Mighty Fortress. This classic continues to bless multitudes of believers today. This song is a constant source of spiritual strength and inspiration throughout Christendom. Martin Luther saw the need for Christian Education, and he issued an appeal for Christian schools back in 1524. He preached this concept to parents in 1530 as their duty to send their children to school. Martin Luther felt that spiritual as well as secular instruction was needed to remedy the ignorance that was prevalent in the late middle Ages. When Martin Luther begun the Reformation, he wasn’t a developed theologian. God allowed him to clearly see the matter of justification by Grace through Faith.

          When he applied this teaching, it was brought under attack. Because of the attacks against the Word, Martin Luther quickly discerned that Scripture had to be the supreme authority in the church. Martin Luther contributed to only positive reform through his:

Ø  Constant preaching

Ø  Teachings, and

Ø  Writings

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1(Romans 1: 17)

2(Hebrews 7: 24-27)

3(Romans 2: 6)