TODAY IS REFORMATION DAY - I have stood at the door of the Wittenburg Church (the original door is gone) and laid my hands on it hoping to receive an impartation of his anointing. I stood over the place where he is buried in the Church. I have twice walked with reverence thru the home Luther and family lived in. I stood in the little chapel where he taught. It was a Holy place.I was there before the wall fell down. And after. With the 500th anniversary coming up I'm worried how much glitz the Germans will put on all this. It's already kind of schmaltzy.
I lifted this full post right from LaShawn Barber's blog. It's a good reminder:
“I cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it is clear as day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture…I cannot and will not retract…Here I stand, I can do no other. So help me God, Amen.” - Martin Luther
Today marks 490 years since Martin Luther hung his famous Ninety-Five Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany.
Written in reaction to papal abuses and false teachings in the Roman Catholic Church, the document stands as the starting point for the momentous Protestant Reformation, a call for reform in the Roman Catholic Church.
A Catholic monk and theologian, Luther came to the realization, after reading and studying the Bible, that his so-called good works and dedication to the church would not save him from God’s wrath. The sinner’s only hope for salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Luther learned that salvation is a gift from God. Woeful sinners like you and me are justified - made righteous - by our faith in Jesus Christ. Neither “good” works nor the “intercession” of other sinful men can save us from God’s just wrath. Christ is our intercessor.
Luther translated the Bible to vernacular German so the common people could read and understand it for themselves instead of having it filtered through an “authority.” With the advent of the printing press, Luther’s call for reformation spread to the masses.
Biblical principles known as the “five solas” emerged from the Protestant Reformation, and these principles stand in contrast to what Rome teaches.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(Dan Phillips brings the comedy.)
Resources:
Posted by La Shawn @ 12:09 pm Permalink
2 comments:
Praise God for the salvation of sinners throgh Christ alone, the eternal doctrine which at the right time was restored by God's grace through Luther. I thoght I knew all the 'solas'...You mentioned FIVE. I know of Chrsitus solus; sola gratia, sola fide, sola scriptura. What is the fifth sola? sola per Spiritu Sancto? (Latin incorrect?)...h.
Harold, This is as I understand them:
* Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone) — The Bible, open to all who desire to read it, is the inspired and authoritative word of God. Scripture does not contain everything we need to know, but it is sufficient, “God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16 and 17)
The doctrine doesn’t forbid us to read other Bible-based text. In fact, Christians should read and study the works of faithful men and women who’ve struggled through this Christian life. But ultimately, God’s word rules. [I recommend Scripture Alone: Exploring the Bible’s Accuracy, Authority and Authenticity.]
* Sola Fide (Faith alone) — We are justified (made “right”) before God because of our faith in Christ, and not in any works we do.
* Solus Christus (Christ alone) — There is no other mediator between man and God but Christ. Before Christ came, the Hebrews of ancient Israel needed a high priest to enter the “holy of holies,” the inner santuary of the Tabernacle and Temple, to intercede on their behalf. The cross changed all of that. Fallible, sinful human beings seeking forgiveness can appeal directly to God through our faith in Christ.
Additionally, salvation comes through Christ alone. His death on the cross was necessary and sufficient to pardon those he came to save.
* Sola Gratia (Grace alone) — Salvation is a gift. God presents this gift to those Christ has forgiven. It is through his grace alone, and not something we can do or say, that saves us.
Number 5:
* Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God alone) — Glory belongs to God alone, not to any man, tradition, church, institution, organization, or group.
That includes you, me, and Martin Luther. He would agree.
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