On October 31st, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his famous 95 theses to the church door in Wittenberg, Germany—so beginning the Protestant Reformation. This book tells the story of Luther’s life, how he came to discover the gospel of justification by faith alone for himself, and how he then sparked a movement of gospel recovery across Europe.
Martin Luther
Reformation Day & Political Desperation
Happy Reformation Day!
On this day in 1517, Martin Luther sparked a gospel-protest (“protest-ant”), posting 95 theological assertions for debate (his “95 theses”) to the church door in Wittenberg. His goal was to reform the church. Thus, this movement would later become known as the Protestant Reformation (the protestors’ reform).
Today, known as “Reformation Day,” we remember this movement of recovering clarity on the Biblical gospel. And we praise God that the preservation and advancement of that gospel will never–can never–be thwarted.
This very point then is also a fitting reminder and lesson for us today amidst our political season, believe it or not. If ever there was a time when it felt like the true, Biblical gospel could be muffled and lost, it was probably the time of the Reformation. The Roman religious institution was dominant, not only religiously but politically; and the Biblical witness was outlawed. Could the true church survive? Would the Biblical gospel be preserved amidst such powerful opposition and persecution? Many feel similarly today, with the perceived threat of potential political outcomes.
But don’t doubt God. As Jesus said in Mt 16:18, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against her.” Against all human odds, the gospel prevailed and advanced during the Reformation. So today and forever, the church will survive throughout all ages, and God will always maintain a faithful witness to his gospel.
Today in our sensationalized political climate, many are be tempted to speak (argue) as if the church’s very existence hangs in the balance and hinges on certain political outcomes. If this is so, we become desperate to do whatever it takes politically to gain certain wins. But, frankly, God doesn’t need our compromised politics in order for his church to survive, and we would do well to remember that. An unfortunate irony today would be that the same folks who celebrate this truth in the Reformation might immediately turn and forget it in our politics.
Whatever comes November 3, may “the eyes of our hearts” be locked squarely on the sovereignty of God. Christ is king. And nothing can change that.
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” – Psalm 20
Coronavirus as “Go Time” for the Church: Being Ready to Care for Others (Coronavirus, Ep. 5)
In this episode, we look at the church’s pedigree of caring for people in crisis and even plagues. What can we learn from this, and scripture, as a model for our own calling in this present moment?
Access the episode here (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, and more).
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The Formal Cause of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura
The following sermon is the first half of a two-part series on the Protestant Reformation, in celebration and memorial of its 500th year anniversary.
The series covered the formal cause of the Reformation (sola scriptura, “scripture alone”), as well as its material cause (sola fide, “faith alone”). I preached on the former topic, as found below.
The Formal Cause of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura
South City Church
10/15/2017
Martin Luther on Pastoral Study
Some pastors and preachers are lazy and no good. … They do not pray; they do not study; they do not read; they do not search the Scripture. …
[T]he [pastoral] call is: Watch, study, attend to reading. In truth, you cannot read too much in Scripture; and what you read you cannot read too carefully, and what you read carefully you cannot understand too well, and what you understand well you cannot teach too well, and what you teach well you cannot live too well.
Therefore, dear sirs and brethren, pastors and preachers, pray, read, study, be diligent. Truly, this evil, shameful time is not the season for being lazy, for sleeping and snoring. Use the gift that has been entrusted to you, and reveal the mystery of Christ.
–Martin Luther, What Luther Says: An Anthology, comp. Ewald M. Plass (St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1959), entry no. 3547, 1110.
Kirk E. Miller 