The Climate of the Reformation

DAY 1 3/1- The Climate that Made the Reformation     

“When the time had fully come….”  (Galatians 4:4)

In God’s Providence the Reformation came out of a perfect environment of the moral abuse and power of the papacy at the time, division in the church, decay of feudalism (post crusades) and corresponding rise of nationalism, combined with the rise of the universities, the beginning of the printing press and proliferation of scripture.  But above all of this it was and is a movement of God’s Spirit.  The Reformation does not just change western thinking, but has vastly changed the world.  The Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the rise of science, modern medicine, capitalism and democracy would not have flourished in the West without the Reformation.  These are broad and faith statements, that could be filled with caveats and hiccups of steps backwards that came before forward steps.  Some of these are quite unintended steps (especially the Enlightenment).  In this brief devotional overview, it is not my intent to argue but to make the points that help us understand the Reformation and how it deeply affects our lives today, but especially how we may grow spiritually through thinking of the Reformation and learning from the examples of the Reformers.
 [Pictured is Pope Leo X Medici who instigated indulgences to build St Peter’s]

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust that you will raise us up in your timing and your way. Lord, raise your church up again. 

Introduction- A Primer on the Reformation

A Reformation

Primer

On the 500^th Anniversary

(A 7 Week Devotional Study)

    Glory to God Alone

DEDICATED To those who Teach me to reform and be ever reformed according to the Word of God:
Kay Yarborough Sloan, Rebekah Sloan Gilliam, Sarah Sloan Batson, John Benson Sloan Jr, Etta Sloan Batson, Josie Bellotte Sloan, Sarah Bellotte Sloan, Earle Dendy Sloan Sr., Marcus Dupre Sloan, Blaine Hill, Tracie Stewart, Jim Glatz, Danny Murphy, Paul Peterson, Barry Jenkins, Richard Burnett, Alice Ridgell.

Solo Dei Gloria    Dr. J. Ben Sloan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1) Background of the Reformation- Climate, Pavers of the Reformation Road

2) Scripture Alone (Sola Scriptura)

3) Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)

4) Sola Fide (Faith Alone)

5) Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be Glory)

6) Solus Christus (Christ Alone)

7) Priesthood of All Believers

8) Reformers to Know

9) Summary

The forcing of the Lenten Fasts was looked down upon by both Zwingli and Calvin.  Luther seemed to be against the fast but was okay with the idea of Lent.  Zwingli had a protest act in which he purposefully and publicly ate Swiss sausages (a forbidden Lenten food) to show that it was okay.  So in some ways, doing a Lenten study on the Reformers is ironic.  But as Bullinger admitted, the practice of Lent is an ancient practice that simply became abused and abusive.  Lent itself can be a tool that aids us in our faith.  

A word about the five solas.  These are five theological principles found in each other Reformers of the Reformation.  However, the recognition of these five was made in the 20^th century. In  (1916) by Theodore Engelder, a Lutheran scholar recognized three: faith alone, grace alone, Scripture alone.  Emil Brunner added Soli Deo Gloriam (glory alone to God).  Karl Barth added solo Christo as another common theme of the Reformation leaders.  Others have added church alone and love alone- but these are clearly secondary ideas that do not distinguish the Protestant from the Roman Catholic church.  Others still have added the “Priesthood of all Believers.” 

The Reformation radically changed the church.  The Roman Catholic reaction at the Council of Trent took some of these reforms to heart.  Vatican I and Vatican II especially opened the doors for mutual respect of Protestant and Roman Catholic churches.  The Roman Catholic church (until Vatican I) discouraged the reading of the scriptures in the vulgar language and the Mass was primarily in Latin and not understood by most.  Vatican II recognized some validity in Protestant churches. 

This study is not just about the past, it is perhaps more relevant than ever in our Post-modern, Post-Christian, Post-truth world.  Many are denying any idea of truth or thoughts of holy living.  In a pluralistic society that values tolerance above most other values to say just the words “alone” appear to be proud or offensive.  The claims that “scripture alone is our standard”, “that salvation is of Christ alone”, or that “our good deeds do not save us” rubs many the wrong way.  Yet, false hope is no real hope at all.  The hope is not that truth doesn’t matter or that what we believe is ambivalent.  True north means false directions are not true. While we know we need to be gracious and kind to all does not mean that behavior or holiness is passé.  The hope is to always hold love and truth together.  The world still needs both.