We Christians should know our Church history (somehow I missed this, even in Christian grade school). And we should definitely know major events like the Reformation. "Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you." Deuteronomy 32:7
About 15 years ago, after experiencing man-centered theology and legalism for several years, I fell in love with the teachings of grace and reformed theology.
About 15 years ago, after experiencing man-centered theology and legalism for several years, I fell in love with the teachings of grace and reformed theology.
I know the basics of the Reformation, probably from my "historian" Dad and time spent in Presbyterian churches and from watching the movie Luther (so good). But I would love to learn more! And this 500th Anniversary celebration is the perfect chance to do so.
Here are some reasons I believe it is worth our time to pause, celebrate, and learn from this historic event.
1. The Bible, the best-selling book on the planet, is...MY Bible. It's not in Latin, but in my own language. It's not chained to the church pulpit, but I have several copies in my very home. This was not the case 500 years ago, and much courage, "activism," and loss of life was required to make it so. Which makes me cherish these Words of Life even more!
2. Removing the Bible from public awareness and from the hearts of believers plunged the Church into corruption, the people into despair, and Europe into wars that never should have happened. This is instructive for our own country and Church.
3. The Five Solas are as important today as they were 500 years ago, and must be constantly rediscovered and upheld. Salvation--from the power of sin and death--by faith alone, grace alone, the Bible alone, Christ alone, and for the glory of God alone. Amen!
4. ONE MAN can make history do a 180. One man (or woman), led by the Holy Spirit and conscience, unable to live with the status quo, willing to stick his neck out, persistently obeying God's leading in his heart...one person can expose and topple the whole house of cards. This has happened repeatedly throughout history, and should give us hope and courage for today.
5. The flip side is that it wasn't just one man who accomplished the Reformation. For years leading up to the actual "topple," God raised up leaders all over Europe, who believed that the Bible was the final authority and that salvation came through Christ alone. These front-runners, like the first wave on the beach of Normandy, got mowed down (persecuted and burned at the stake), but each successive wave pushed further into enemy territory. Then Martin Luther arrived on the scene as a fearless renegade--a bull in a china shop with a brilliant mind, strong conviction, and a tongue on fire for God--who penetrated enemy lines, so to speak, and put the enemy to flight.
6. When things look black and dark and hopeless, God is still working behind the scenes, all over the country or the continent or the world. The Holy Spirit is breathing into hearts and raising up leaders, lighting sparks that will rush together into a mighty flame. Or working even more covertly, effecting cultural change over generations by the transformation of renewed minds (Romans 12).
7. The priesthood of the believer is one tenet of Reformed doctrine. I don't have to go through a priest or pastor or Christian leader to get to God. I can and must have my own relationship with the Living God through His Word and prayer and hourly awareness of His Presence in my heart and life. And I also can't blame my unbelief on that Christian leader when he fails me.
8. Martin Luther's example is instructive to us in knowing why, when, and how to take a stand for truth, over against untruth within the family, church, workplace, government, or community. "Here I stand, I can do no other" expresses boldness, courage, and conviction, balanced by humility and surrender to God's Word. As American culture has moved away from God and His Word, these stands for truth become increasingly necessary.
9. God can see all of history at the same moment. He sees martyrs engulfed in flames that are melting the flesh off their bones, for refusing to recant seemingly insignificant doctrinal points...and He sees my dusty Bible being shoved to the back of a drawer. Or more realistically, my breezing through the Psalm for the day so I can get on to my all-important to-do list. When I pause to learn about and commemorate the incalculable sacrifice of countless real people just like me, to ensure my ability and freedom to access the whole Cannon of Holy Scripture, I stop breezing and start digging into and prizing that blood-stained Page.
10. The Church needs reformation today. We are burdened for our nation as we've seen her turn her back on our Founding Father (the heavenly One), walking away from the Book and the godly fear that made us great, and suffer the consequences in a hundred heart-wrenching ways. But the world is not the problem. The Church is the problem. And the Church is the answer. (We are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Matthew 5:13-16) "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." II Chronicles 7:14
11. The bottom line is, God did this Reformation thing. Our great and mighty and merciful God DID this! He had enough of the abuse and oppression of the poor, and He rent the heavens and came down and did something about it. And His mighty work of deliverance through truth deserves to be celebrated, as do all His mighty works! Over and over, the Bible calls God's people to celebrate what He has done for them: through feasts, through song, through telling future generations, through erecting monuments, through the sacraments of baptism and communion, through testimonials. "Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits!" Psalm 103:2
11. The bottom line is, God did this Reformation thing. Our great and mighty and merciful God DID this! He had enough of the abuse and oppression of the poor, and He rent the heavens and came down and did something about it. And His mighty work of deliverance through truth deserves to be celebrated, as do all His mighty works! Over and over, the Bible calls God's people to celebrate what He has done for them: through feasts, through song, through telling future generations, through erecting monuments, through the sacraments of baptism and communion, through testimonials. "Bless and affectionately praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget any of His benefits!" Psalm 103:2
I could probably think of 95 reasons to celebrate Reformation Day ; ), but let's just do it and spark a modern Reformation in our own hearts!
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