Context of the Reformation
1.  Biblical Illiteracy
Context of the Reformation
1.  Biblical Illiteracy
2.  Church Corruption (caused distrust)
Ø  Simony
Ø  Pilgrimages, Relics & Indulgences
Context of the Reformation
1.  Biblical Illiteracy
2.  Church Corruption (caused distrust)
Ø  Simony
Ø  Pilgrimages, Relics & Indulgences
3.  Spiritual Interest (& Confusion)
Ø  The Black Death (c. 1347)
Ø  Medieval Mystery & Miracle Plays
Reformation
A 16th century movement that resulted in the
reforming of church doctrine and practice.
It was a return to “the simplicity & purity of
devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3)
Reformation Themes
•  Gospel – How we are saved
(through sacraments or the Gospel?)
•  Scripture – How we learn truth
(from priests or scripture?)
•  Nearness – How we relate to God
(Christianity had been a religion of distance)
Martin Luther
1. Gospel
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the
power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous
shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
1. Gospel
16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the
power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
17
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed
from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous
shall live by faith.” (Romans 1:16-17)
NIV: “a righteousness from God”
1. Gospel •  Sola Gratia – Grace Alone!
•  Sola Fide – Faith Alone!
•  Solus Christus – In Christ Alone!
95 Theses (Oct. 31, 1517)
Diet of Worms
Wartburg Castle
Wartburg Castle
In the castle, Luther translated
the Greek NT into German ,
perhaps in just eleven weeks
2. Scripture
Sola Scriptura – Scripture Alone!
•  1522 German New Testament
•  1534 German Bible
“The dangerous new idea,
firmly embodied at the heart
of the Protestant revolution,
was that all Christians had
the right to interpret the Bible
for themselves.”
Alister McGrath
3. Nearness
•  The issue of accessibility – “the saints”
•  The issue of accessibility – “the priesthood”
•  The issue of language
(in Scripture and Worship)
Dead Saints & Living Priests?
“For there is one God, and one mediator also
between God and men, the man Christ
Jesus.” (1 Tim. 2:5)
Priesthood of All Believers
“you also, as living stones, are being built up
as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer
up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through
Jesus Christ…. But you are a chosen race, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own
possession…” (1 Peter 2:5,9)
Priesthood of All Believers
“As Christ by His birthright has
obtained these two dignities, so He
imparts them to every believer in
Him, under the law of matrimony…
by which all that is the husband’s
is also the wife’s. Hence all we
who believe on Christ are kings
and priests in Christ.”
Priesthood of All Believers
“Nor are we only kings and the
freest of all men, but also priests
forever, a dignity far higher than
kingship, because by that
priesthood we are worthy to
appear before God, to pray for
others, and to teach one another
mutually the things which are of
God.”
Priesthood of All Believers
“Christ has obtained for us this favor, if we
believe in Him: that just as we are His brethren
and co-heirs and fellow-kings with Him, so we
should be also fellow-priests with Him, and
venture with confidence, through the spirit of
faith, to come into the presence of God, and cry,
“Abba, Father!” and to pray for one another…”
…Martin Luther,
The Freedom of a Christian
Luther’s “A Mighty Fortress” (1527)
Psalm 46:1-3, 7
God is our refuge and strength,
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives
way, though the mountains be moved into the
heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains tremble at its swelling …
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Selah
Reformation Themes
•  Gospel – How we are saved
•  Scripture – How we learn truth
•  Nearness – How we relate to God