By Marianne Mauti
Rediscovering the Reformation
On October the 31st, we acknowledge the "Reformation" also known as the Protestant Reformation. While it began as one of the most transformational periods in the world (the the most important being the birth, death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ), many today have very little understanding, of how God used the faith of a simple Catholic Monk, to bring truth and enlightenment to His church and change the course of history. As a result, it ushered in a spiritual move of God that would propel the world out of the religious darkness of the Middle ages.
While we find ourselves in cultural war for the heart and soul of our Judeo-Christian values and those of our founding fathers (at the heart of Western Civilization), it is important for us to not only to understand what the "Reformation" was all about but re-introduce this transformational truth to a current generation of Christians who do not either know or understand its relevancy!
The Reformation
What is known to us today as one of the greatest transformational periods in Church History, suddenly took the center of the worlds religious stage 500 years ago, when a simple German Monk and professor of moral theology at the University of Wittenberg, named Martin Luther (1483-1546) left his monastery in the town of Wittenburg, Germay, to the Castle Church. Because at that time, church doors often acted as town bulletin boards, Martin Luther raised up his arms with hammer and nails in hand and proceeded to pound into the door a large document with 95 statement or theses.
At the time, it was never Luther's intent to be at the spearhead of a much needed reform of centuries of compromise and corruption that had imbedded itself in the Church and plunged the world into centuries of spiritual darkness. He simply wanted the church hierarchy to address these 95 points and explain the justification for they're position. He believed there was a much needed debate necessary to re-ignite the heart and soul of the Church.
In order to understand the magnitude of the courage it required to nail the Theses to the Church door, it is important to understand the scope and power of the Catholic Church at that time. It would not be an overstatement to say the Church had control of most of the civilized worlds religious and governmental power which included the judicial power over life and death which they yield with a very heavy hand during the inquisitions. The church was not only the largest single landholder, it also appointed Kings (in church controlled countries), by divine right and propped up Kingdoms willing to submit to the control of the church. They also controlled the majority of the financial wealth of the known world. At it's most influential period, its power was unrivaled. It is impossible to minimize the cataclysmic impact Luther's Theses had when it began to openly question a powerful religious system used to having its way.
So why is it important to know and understand what happened so many centuries ago? Many would argue it is only relevant from a historical perspective, while others see it as a revelation of God's Word, so significant that it laid a deep foundation for subsequent reformations that were to come and are still ongoing today! I would maintain that both are true.
Martin Luther's Theses
The 95 Theses, meant to be an invitation for public debate. So what prompted this audacious response? Luther himself described his initial response was due to his repugnant view of the sale of indulgences as the breaking point. "Indulgences" were a way to reduce the amount of punishment one would receive for committing a temporal sin (as opposed to a mortal sin which was eternal punishment). You may reduce your time in Purgatory by offering a prayer, or performing a work of service of paying with coin. An indulgence was a remission before God of the temporal punishment. By the late Middle Ages, the abuse of indulgences, mainly through commercialization, had become a serious problem which the Church was unable to restrain effectively. It was the practice of the Dominican friar Johann Tezel that made that final blow for Luther. It is important to understand historically that at the time of Luther the entirety of the Christian church believed in purgatory. Purgatory was a place of torment to which people went to their death so they could be purged of their sins before moving on to heaven. Tezel was selling indulgences (promises from the pope that gave people time off purgatory). "As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs," was the saying at the time.
In Western Europe at the time, indulgences were a part of the "economy of salvation". Under abuses of the system of indulgences, clergy benefited by selling indulgences and the Pope gave sanction in exchange for a fee. Political rulers had an interest in controlling indulgences because local economies suffered when the money for indulgences left a given territory. Rulers often sought to receive a portion of the proceeds or prohibited indulgences altogether. But no one had up till now been able to match the power and influence of the Church.
Luther's 95 theses was not only a protest against these abusive indulgences but it was also a challenge to the Church's preoccupation with power and wealth! At the heart of his theses Luther claimed that the repentance required by Christ in order for sins to be forgiven involves a spiritual repentance rather than merely external sacramental confession. He argued that indulgences led Christians to avoid true repentance and sorrow for sin, believing that they can forgo it by purchasing an indulgence.
To make matters even worse, in 1515, Pope Leo began granting plenary (complete forgiveness) indulgences for the sole purpose of financing construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It would apply to almost any sin, including adultery and theft. All the indulgence preaching(which was done in every parish and town) was to cease for the eight years while Pope Leo's plenary indulgences were being offered. Indulgence preachers were given strict instructions on how the indulgence was to be preached. Johan Tezel was commissioned to preach and offer the plenary indulgence in 1517, and his campaign in cities near Wittenberg drew many to travel to the city to purchase them.
Luther had begun to preach as early as 1514 against the abuse of indulgences and the way they cheapened grace rather than requiring true repentance.
Luther became especially concerned in 1517 when his parishioners, returning from purchasing these plenary indulgences, claimed they no longer needed to repent and change their lives in order to be forgiven of sin. After hearing what Tezel said about indulgences in his sermons, Luther began to study the issue more carefully. He began to teach that a truly repentant sinner would also not seek and indulgence, because they loved God's righteousness and desired the inward punishment of their sin.
Luther became especially concerned in 1517 when his parishioners, returning from purchasing these plenary indulgences, claimed they no longer needed to repent and change their lives in order to be forgiven of sin. After hearing what Tezel said about indulgences in his sermons, Luther began to study the issue more carefully. He began to teach that a truly repentant sinner would also not seek and indulgence, because they loved God's righteousness and desired the inward punishment of their sin.
Though Luther claimed that his position on indulgences was in agreement with those of the Pope, the "Theses" challenged the a 14th century Papal Bull (a papal bull is a specific kind of public degree or charter issued by a pope of the Roman Catholic Church. It is named after the leaden seal (Bulla) which was appended to the end of the decree to authenticate it) stating that the Pope could use the "Treasury of Merit" (explained below) to forgive temporal punishment for sins.
Contents of the Theses
Luther subsequently challenged the common beliefs about purgatory. He discusses the idea that the punishment of purgatory can be likened to the fear and despair felt by dying people. He asserted that nothing can be definitively said about the spiritual state of people in purgatory and he questioned the Pope's power over people in purgatory.
He also questions the idea that as soon as payment is made, the payer's loved one is released from purgatory. He sees it as encouraging sinful greed, and says it is impossible to be certain of because only God has ultimate power in forgiving punishments in purgatory. Luther questioned what the indulgence preachers really offered Christians. Since no one knows whether a person is truly repentant, a letter assuring a person of his forgiveness is dangerous.
He also drew into question the idea that an indulgence makes repentance unnecessary. This leads to the conclusion that the truly repentant person has already been forgiven of the penalty as well as the guilt of sin. He states that God's Word declares that indulgences are not necessary for Christians to receive all the benefits provided by Christ and that indulgences make true repentance more difficult.
Luther, not wanting to start a spiritual war with the Pope believed that the Pope was just not aware of the corruption of truth that was taking place. He said that he believed if the Pope really understood what was being preached in his name he would rather have St. Peter's Basilica burned to the ground than to be built up with the "skin, flesh, and bones of his sheep."
Indulgences and "The Treasury of Merit"
In the 95 Theses Luther went on to criticize the use of doctrine of the "Treasury of Merit"( Good works done by Jesus and other Saints contained in the Church treasury, in order to benefit other people. They were offered before God by the Church, so that mankind could be set free from sin and attain communion and through those good deeds) in payment for the sins of those who paid indulgences. The amount of the indulgence paid would determine the amount of the "treasure of merit" the participant would need and receive. This is the basis on which the "Doctrine of Indulgences" is based.
He stated that everyday Christians do not understand the doctrine and are being misled. For Luther, the "true treasure" of the church is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luther uses word play to describe the treasures of the gospel as nets to catch the wealthy people, whereas the treasures of indulgences are nets to catch the wealth of men.
In the 95 Theses Luther went on to criticize the use of doctrine of the "Treasury of Merit"( Good works done by Jesus and other Saints contained in the Church treasury, in order to benefit other people. They were offered before God by the Church, so that mankind could be set free from sin and attain communion and through those good deeds) in payment for the sins of those who paid indulgences. The amount of the indulgence paid would determine the amount of the "treasure of merit" the participant would need and receive. This is the basis on which the "Doctrine of Indulgences" is based.
He stated that everyday Christians do not understand the doctrine and are being misled. For Luther, the "true treasure" of the church is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Luther uses word play to describe the treasures of the gospel as nets to catch the wealthy people, whereas the treasures of indulgences are nets to catch the wealth of men.
At the end of the theses Luther lists several criticisms advanced by laypeople against indulgences:
1. How should he answer those who seek to ask why the Pope does not simply empty purgatory if it is in his power?
2. Why should he say to those who ask why anniversary masses for the dead, which were for sake of those in purgatory, continued for those who had been redeemed by an indulgence?
3. How could pious people in purgatory be redeemed by impious people who were living?
4. And finally he mentions the question of why the Pope, who is very rich, requires the money from the poor believers to build St. Peters Basilica. Luther claims that ignoring these questions risks allowing the people to ridicule the Pope.
1. How should he answer those who seek to ask why the Pope does not simply empty purgatory if it is in his power?
2. Why should he say to those who ask why anniversary masses for the dead, which were for sake of those in purgatory, continued for those who had been redeemed by an indulgence?
3. How could pious people in purgatory be redeemed by impious people who were living?
4. And finally he mentions the question of why the Pope, who is very rich, requires the money from the poor believers to build St. Peters Basilica. Luther claims that ignoring these questions risks allowing the people to ridicule the Pope.
Luther closes the theses by exhorting Christians to imitate Christ even if it brings pain and suffering. Enduring punishment and entering heaven is preferable to false security!
Luther's Theses was intended to begin a debate among academics, not a popular revolution, but God had other plans!
As a Result........
On October 31, 1517 Luther sent a letter to Archbishop of Mainz, Albert of Brandenburg, under whose authority the indulgences were being sold. In the letter Luther expresses his desire to alert the archbishop to the pastoral problems created by the indulgence sermons. He assumes the archbishop is unaware of what is being preached under his authority, and speaks of his concern that the people are being led away from the gospel, and that the indulgence preaching may bring shame to Albert's name.
When word reached Rome, Luther was immediately seen as a threat. Pope Leo asked the head of the Augustuan Hermits (Luther's religious order) to convince him to stop spreading his ideas about indulgences. Luther receives a summons to Rome in August of 1518. Luther recognized that the implications of his beliefs set him further from the official teaching than he initially knew. He responded with "Explanations of the Disputation Concerning the Value of Indulgences", in which he attempted to clear himself of the charge of attacking the Pope.
When Johann Tegel called for Luther to be burnt for heresy, Luther became increasingly fearful that the situation had gotten out of hand and he was in danger. As the opposition to Luther began to grow so did his resolve. He eventually began to finally address the infallibility of the Pope himself. He burns the Papal bull that threatened his excommunication to the church.
As a result Charles V called a conference in the city of Worms. Luther's friends defended him, but the emperor eventually called Luther himself to attend, with the promise of protection. Luther went and when he arrived he found himself standing before the church system in all of its full regality, ready to take Martin Luther and his blasphemy down with swift discourse and all it's papal authority.
As a result Charles V called a conference in the city of Worms. Luther's friends defended him, but the emperor eventually called Luther himself to attend, with the promise of protection. Luther went and when he arrived he found himself standing before the church system in all of its full regality, ready to take Martin Luther and his blasphemy down with swift discourse and all it's papal authority.
Martin Luther stood before the council and said: "Through the mercy of God, I ask your Imperial Majesty and your illustrious Lordships, or anyone of standing, to testify and refute my errors, to contradict them with the Old and New Testaments. I am ready, if better instructed, to recant any error and I shall be the first to throw my writings into the fire."
The Imperial advocate responding : "Your answer is not to the point. There should be no questioning of things which the church councils have already condemned and on which decisions have already been passed.... Give us a plain reply to this question: Are you prepared to recant or not?"
Luther replied: "Your imperial majesty and your Lordships demand simple answer. Here it is plain and straight. Unless I am convicted of error by the scriptures.... and my conscience is taken captive by God's word, I cannot and will not recant anything, for to act against our conscience is neither safe for us or open to us. On this I take my stand, I can do no other. God help me."
Martin Luther's refusal to to renounce all of his writings at the demand of Pope Leo X in 1520 and the Holy Roman EMporer Charles V at the Diet (council) of Worms resulted in his excommunication (no future hope of salvation). He was also condemned as an outlaw by the Emperor
Justification By Faith
As a result of the advent of the printing press, Luther's Theses was quickly reprinted, translated and distributed throughout Germany and Europe. They initiated a pamphlet war with Johann Tezel, which spread Luther's fame even further. Though the Theses was the formal start of the protest that brought about the reformation, Luther did not consider indulgences to be as important as other theological matters which would divide the church, such as Justification by Faith. Known as Sloe Fide (by faith alone), asserts God's pardon for guilty sinners is granted to a received through faith alone, excluding all "works". All mankind is fallen and sinful, under the curse of eternal death and separation from God, and incapable of saving himself from God's wrath and eternal judgement. But God, through the atonement of original sin, through the life death, burial and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ, forgives and removes our sin. This is done through faith alone.
By faith we receive Christ and all his benefits. By faith forgiveness of sins is imputed (or attributed) by God to the believing sinner (as opposed to imparted), so that the pardon of the believer is not based on anything within the diner, but upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ by which we are made righteous before God. Not by any work of man the we could boast, but only though the work of Jesus Christ through his crucifixion and resurrection can we be saved and restored to God.
By faith we receive Christ and all his benefits. By faith forgiveness of sins is imputed (or attributed) by God to the believing sinner (as opposed to imparted), so that the pardon of the believer is not based on anything within the diner, but upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ by which we are made righteous before God. Not by any work of man the we could boast, but only though the work of Jesus Christ through his crucifixion and resurrection can we be saved and restored to God.
The Churches response at the Council of Trent (held between 1545 and 1563) was as follows: "If anyone says that man is truly absolved from sins and justified, because he believed himself justified; or, that no one is truly justified but he who believes himself justifies; and that, by this faith alone, absolution and justification are affected; let him be anathema (excommunicated)."
Martin Luther shined the light of truth on the biblical truth of justification by faith and believed as those who have been transformed by this truth still do today, that it is foundational to Reformed Christianity and is one of the greatest articles on which the church stands of falls!
Rediscovery of the Scriptures
God's spirit was moving across Europe in a new and fresh way! The evident corruption of the Church had given many people a longing for change, and renewed interest in the ancient learning associated with the Renaissance, had led to a rediscovery of the Scriptures. Already in the Swiss city of Zurich, Huldrych Zwingli (1484-1531) was introducing reform on the basis of his reading of the Bible, which he had come to regard as the supreme authority in all matters. At first these reforms were welcomed by the Church authorities, but in 1523, after to public disputes, the city broke with Rome.
In England William Tyndale (1494-1536) was influences by Luther's ides. Serving as a chaplain at Little Sodbury Manor, near Bath, he was shocked by the ignorance of local clergy. Tyndale set off to London, expecting to receive support for his plan to translate the Bible into English. But the Bishop of London was not interested because he did not want Luther's revelation of scripture spreading in England. Opposition grew so he left England for life on the run in Germany and Belgium. Tyndale was betrayed and martyred in 1536, but not before he had translated the New Testament and much of the Old Testament.
John Calvin (1509-1564) was passing through Geneva on his way to Strasbourg. He was persuaded to stay by the church leader in Geneva. The city gave him the job of teacher of scripture. Calvin took the lead. Through Calvin, Geneva became a powerhouse for reformation understanding. Pastors from across Europe were sent from Geneva to plant reformation churches. The movement was becoming a planting.
In England the origins of the reformation were as much political as they were religious. Henry the VIII (1491-1547) wanted to divorce his first wife because she had failed to give him a son. The Pope refused to grant him a divorce. In 1534 Henry broke from Rome, making himself the head of the Church of England. Henry wanted to retain the theology of the Church without the Roman Authority. So while the origins of the Reformation in England may have begun for political purposes, plenty of people were being drawn into the move of God taking place in Germany. Henry's Archbishop, Thomas Cranmer, was intent on reform. His prayer book, The Book of Common Prayer, wrote Reformation theology into the weekly liturgy of parish churches across England.
For a period of time England would go back and forth between Catholicism and Reformation until Elizabeth the I settled the country on her own peculiar English version of Protestantism. As Rome's influence and power began to decline, England would go on to become the leading power in the known world.
For a period of time England would go back and forth between Catholicism and Reformation until Elizabeth the I settled the country on her own peculiar English version of Protestantism. As Rome's influence and power began to decline, England would go on to become the leading power in the known world.
Does the Reformation Still Matter?
The Reformation, as with any move of God, was a time of spiritual renewal and the unleashing of the power of God's Word. When read, understood and applied to the life of those who read it, it released an awakening of the church and an enlightenment in the cultural and social state of the known world that propelled it out of the dark, knowledgeless age the church had been in for centuries.
It was not the work of one man or one movement. Nevertheless, October 31st, 1517, has taken on a great symbolic significance. It, more than any the event, set everything we know and understand about God's Word in motion.
In their book, "Why the Reformation Still Matters," authors Micheal Reeves and Tim Chester have this to say:
"The Reformation matters because it is our story. If you are Anglican, Baptist, Brethren, Congregational, Independent, Luther, Mennonite, Methodist, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, or Reformed, then these are your roots. Your history can be traced back to these events five hundred years ago."
They continue, asking ," Are the Reformers like embarrassing grandparents? Are they part of our story we would rather leave behind or can safely ignore? Or are they perhaps hero's we are content to lionize at a safe distance? Th quarrel about religion is uncharitable, a denial of the very thing you claim to follow. The leaders of the Reformation were sometimes guilty of this. But the assumption behind such attitudes is that the divisions of the Reformation were not worth making- truth does not really matter. But consider what was a stake:
At the heart of the Reformation which was a dispute about how we know God and how we can be made righteous before Him.
It was true then and is is still true today. The fact that our modern world finds the Reformation alien says as much about us as it does about the Reformers. It exposes our preoccupation with this momentary life. For the Reformers there was no need more pressing than assurance in the face of divine judgement, and there was no act more loving than to proclaim a message of grace that granted eternal life to those who responded by faith. The Reformation matters because eternal life still matters."
Conclusion
Conclusion
The Reformation matters because it is a part of His- story. The revelation, restoration and elevation of God's created purpose and plan for His Glorious Church! It was a pivotal part of the unfolding of the power and authority that the Church is reassuming, and as such needs to be taught and rehearsed and we need to be reminded of the darkness God brought us out of and the truth he continues to lead us into!
The "Reformation" was always intended to be and ongoing process. One of its slogans was semper reformanda, usually translated as "always reforming"; but a better translation may be "always being reformed" (by Gods Word). It describes not a movement forward to some uncharted horizon but a continual movement back to God's Word and forward into God's pre-destined purpose for His church!
Martin Luther was an imperfect man who sought God's perfect truth and because of his obedience and the obedience of those that followed, God's truth will continue to prevail! In a world increasingly devoid of a moral compass, the truth of God's Word when understood and applied, continues to transform lives!
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FORGING YOUR FAITH
To 'Forge' something, is to mold and shape something for suitable use. We believe that our lives are constantly being shaped and molded by the hand of God for His divine purpose! This publication strives to encourage believers who are beginning this process and those who are well into it! We also believe a truly successful life is a Christ-Centered Life! We hope you will join us and become a regular reader!
Thank You and God Bless,
Marianne Mauti
Founder and CAO
'Forging Your Faith' is the online Christian publication of 'Christ the King Church' in Bellevue, Pa.
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com
About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com ***********************************************************
ARTICLE RESOURCES
ARTICLE RESOURCES
* The Bible
*Dr. George R. Beninate: Is Bishop of "Christ the King Church" in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Doctor of Theology, Biblical Apologist, conference speaker, lecturer and my spiritual father.He is also the Author of several books including,"The Age of Glory", Thank you for your relentless pursuit of truth!
* "Why the Reformation Still Matters," authors Micheal Reeves and Tim Chester
*Dr. George R. Beninate: Bishop of "Christ the King Church" in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Doctor of Theology, Biblical Apologist, conference speaker, lecturer and my spiritual father.
In Order To Use This Material: If you want to use any of our articles please contact us at forgingyourfaith@aol.com
