Title: Faith alone (Romans 1:17)
Today is Reformation Sunday. We are worshiping in commemoration of the Reformation that began 481 years ago, on Friday, October 31, 1517, when Martin Luther published a refutation of the 95 Articles against the corrupt Roman Catholic Church. Therefore, I would like to share grace with you while examining the background and content of the Reformation and the significance of the Reformation to us now.
Background of the Reformation
The first background of the Reformation is 'the corruption of the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages'. The power of the Holy See at that time was so great that Pope Gregory VII excommunicated the Roman emperor Henry IV. The Roman emperor Henry IV knelt on a snowy night outside the gates of Canossa in the Alps and begged for forgiveness, and Pope Gregory VII's pardon allowed him to remain as emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. The Holy See of Rome was so powerful that it was accumulating wealth and indulging in pleasure, and it began to decay.
The second background of the Reformation is 'the advent of the era of the nation-state'. At that time, in the 15th and 16th centuries, when the idea of a nation-state was budding, princes in France, England, or Germany began to create their own nation-states, and the Pope's finances became poor. The corrupt Vatican finally moved to Avignon, financed by the French for about 70 years from 1309 to 1377. Catholics refer to this as the Babylonian captivity of the Holy See.
This trend of the times is the providence of God that made Luther's Reformation possible. Luther was not at his will, and he was able to receive protection from the Roman Holy See, which was weakened by the power of the nation-states formed at that time.
The third background is 'Literary Revival'. As you know well through world history, there is a revival of literature and art that develops people's reason and science at that time. Taking the lead, the ideology of faith is also changed from the afterlife-centered to the reality-centered, and totalitarian values are changed to individualistic values. There was a change in the values of belief that there is a church for the people, not for the pope, and that it is important to go to heaven after death, but it is more important to live a life in heaven.
Contents of the Reformation
"By grace alone, by the Bible alone, by faith alone" This is the central principle of the Reformation.
In a book entitled "To the Christian Nobility of Germany", published in Germany in 1520, Luther addresses three important theological themes. We briefly introduce its contents.
The first theme is what is called 'Priesthood for All', and it is not that all who believe are atoned for through the sacrament of confession through the Pope or through the priest, but that anyone can come before God and receive atonement by praying and repenting in Jesus' name.
The second theme is that there is no Pope above the Bible, but the fact that 'the Bible is the absolute means of grace'. At that time, the common people could not read the Bible, and they questioned the false belief that only the Pope's interpretation was true. There is no Pope above the Bible, but that the Bible is the truth of God's grace given to all people and can be interpreted by anyone.
The third theme is that not only the Pope can convene a council to govern and reform the church, but 'each one of the churches can govern and reform the church based on the Word of God'. The power to call a meeting is in the local church. Although the Vatican put great pressure and threat on Luther's claim, God protected Luther thoroughly so that he could proceed with the Reformation.
Significance of the Reformation
The principles and power of the Reformation must be applied to our church and reality, and it must become ours. So, in conclusion, let's look at the significance of the Reformation.
The first significance of the Reformation is that true reformation is accomplished by the power of God. It is not through human effort or power to be reformed, changed, and saved. Living with human goodness, morality, strength, and devotion is easy to become a Pharisee. Of course, living like that would be a very valuable and wonderful life on a human level, but that alone cannot bring about true reform. True reform must be fundamental and be an eternal force. Therefore, it must be a strength that comes from God. With our human determination, we cannot make true human change and church reformation. Reform is possible only through those who have the life and power of God. The Reformation that began with Luther was accomplished not by Luther's morality, rational power, or any knowledge, but by God's power through God's Word. That is why Luther was able to speak the reforms to the end at the cost of death. No one's theories, thoughts, systems, or interpretations in this world can be absolute. Only God is absolute.
The second significance is that we must always return to the Word of God. Only the Word of God is truth. The Word of God makes all things, drives all things, judges and saves all things. Therefore, we must stand humbly in front of these words so that we can see ourselves and the church. Returning to the Word, seeing things through the Word, is the point of view of the Reformation. It is the fact that the faith that sees and believes through such words will obey and follow the will of God. We are people who live by the power of God. There is true human change and righteousness. Those changed people can change the church. A return to the Bible is a transformation of the church. That is change. Dear believers who worship today, let's believe according to the Bible. Let's read the Bible by faith. You must see things through the Bible, see things, and see the grace that God gives you. Here there is reform and there is victory.