Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and the
Relevance of the Reformation
Dr. Erwin Lutzer
September 25, 2016
Path
(outline: read and discover)
PATH
Points
(major ideas within the teaching: reflect
and discuss)
Practice
(questions based on the teaching and
text: respond and do)
Dr. Erwin Lutzer, pastor emeritus of Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois, took us on a journey through the history of the Reformation on
the doorstep of its 500-year anniversary, showing the results and relevance of Martin Luther’s life and witness.
I. Review of Luther’s Life and Ministry
POINTS
Review of Luther’s Life and Ministry:
• Luther was born on November 10, 1483,
in Eisleben, Germany. His father was
of peasant stock, and later he gained
wealth in mining. Luther studied with
Brethren of the Common Life in his
early years and later went to school in
Eisenach.
• After Luther was thrown off his horse
during a thunderstorm, he committed his
life to ministry and entered a monastery.
• During a business trip to Rome in 1510,
Luther saw the corruption of the Roman
church.
• He transferred to Wittenberg, where he
became a professor of biblical theology
and earned a Doctor of Theology.
• At the university, Luther lectured on
books of the Bible in the vernacular.
• Luther read and studied Romans 1:17
and during a crisis of faith, he concluded
that the “just shall live by faith.” Luther
came to understand that believers are
clothed in Christ’s righteousness.
• In 1517, Luther spoke out against the
sale of indulgences by John Tetzel,
Archbishop of Albert, the money from
which was going to Pope Leo X to pay
for buildings.
• On October 31, 1517, Luther posted his
Ninety-Five Theses on the door of the
Wittenberg Catholic Church. He wrote
against indulgences and other corrupt,
unbiblical practices.
II. Results of the Reformation
• By 1518, Luther was wrestling with a split
from the Roman Church. He argued his
case at the Diet of Worms. On January
3, 1521, Pope Leo X issued a papal
bull excommunicating Luther from the
Roman Catholic Church.
• After his split with the Catholic Church,
Luther wrote several books and
translated the Bible into German. Some
of his notable books include Bondage of
the Will and Commentary on Galatians.
• Luther formed the key ideas of
Protestantism: Sola Christus (Christ
alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), Sola
Scriptura (Scripture alone), Sola
Sacerdos (priesthood of believers), and
Sola Gratia (grace alone).
Results of the Reformation:
• Protestantism grew in various areas
throughout Europe and America and
revolutionized society:
• Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) promoted
Protestant ideas in Switzerland.
• Felix Manz (1498-1527) was an
Anabaptist who promoted a
literal interpretation of Scripture,
premillennialism, and adult baptism.
Manz’s ideas were later promoted by
Menno Simmons (Mennonites) and
other Brethren groups.
III. Relevance for Today
Europe. He wrote the Institutes of
Christian Religion.
• Anglicanism began in England and
moved to America through the
ministry of the Puritans. Men such as
Hugh Latimer, Thomas Cranmer, and
Richard Hooker led this movement
and influenced groups such as the
Methodists.
Relevance for Today:
• Like Luther in his day, we fight the Devil
with the living Word of God.
• The priesthood of all believers means
that all people can come to God. Luther
helped bring biblical principles and Bible
study into everyday life.
• By putting the Bible in the vernacular, it
was possible for all people to read the
Bible in their own language.
• The Protestant movement broke the
control of universal state-church,
promoting freedom of religion.
• Luther’s ideas made it possible to have a
different approach to the Christian faith,
ushering in denominational Christianity.
• He focused on essentials of the Christian
faith including the promotion of Christian
education, revival of preaching, and the
spread of missionary work.
• John Calvin (1509-1564) promoted
Protestant ideas in France and
beyond, particularly in northern
PRACTICE
Connect Up: The text that changed
Luther’s life was Romans 1:17: “For in it
the righteousness of God is revealed from
faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall
live by faith.’” Discuss the importance
of faith in making a person just (having
a right-standing before God). Why was
this teaching so radical in Luther’s day,
and why does it continue to be a radical
biblical teaching?
Connect In: Another verse important to
Luther was Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace
you have been saved through faith, and
that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”
Discuss the importance of grace and faith
in our salvation—as a gift from God (nothing that we can work for). How does this
teaching put all Christians on the same
level (what Luther called the “priesthood of
all believers”)?
Connect Out: One of the hallmarks of the
Protestant movement has been its evangelism, reaching out to the world through
the proclamation of the gospel. Why is
evangelism still important today? Discuss
the role faith and grace play in calling
people to Christ.