Week Four: The Reformation
Great discussion this week! The Reformation is particularly interesting to me and others, it seems. Schaeffer spends two chapters on it in his book but only devoted one episode in the DVD series. Too bad.The Reformation was a movement in northern Europe running nearly parallel to the Renaissance in southern Europe. It addressed many of the doctrinal errors that had been embraced by the Roman Catholic Church over the centuries and resulted in a split between the Catholic Church and what we now refer to as the Protestant Church. (The Orthodox Church resulted from a split several centuries earlier, if I'm not mistaken.)
Included among the reformers were John Huss, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli and Martin Luther. The latter is probably the most famous (or infamous) of these and the posting of his 95 Theses was a pivotal moment in the Reformation. The "95 Theses" were primarily critiques of the Roman Catholic Church regarding the selling of indulgences (forgiveness of sins for monetary gifts). He believed in the "priesthood of all Believers," that is that people can go directly to God through faith in Jesus Christ and do not need a priest as a mediator. He also believed that people should have the Bible in their own language and translated the Bible into German to that end.
While the reformers' ideas may have seemed new or radical at the time (many were martyred for their work), this movement was really a reclamation of true Christianity. Though Schaeffer does not go into them explicitly in the video, there are five pillars that sum up well the Reformation. (There is an excellent expansion on these here.)
- Sola Scriptura: The Scripture Alone is the Standard
- Soli Deo Gloria! For the Glory of God Alone
- Solo Christo! By Christ's Work Alone are We Saved
- Sola Gratia: Salvation by Grace Alone
- Sola Fide: Justification by Faith Alone
We wrapped up our discussion this week with a lengthy and friendly debate over the question of whether devout Roman Catholics can be "saved." Some thought "yes" and others "no." I won't cover that whole debate here but will share my inclination on this question. I believe that the institution of the Catholic Church can be more of a stumbling block than a stepping stone to true faith in Jesus Christ and that there is much manmade doctrine there that is just plain wrong when held up to the light of Scripture. However, faith in Jesus Christ is the key to salvation, and I believe that someone could come to that faith through sincere study, prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit, even in the context of the Catholic Church. Thoughts are welcome.
Next week we will study the Revolutionary Age. Berets are optional.
posted by Nate at 1:06 PM
2 Comments:
Your closing group discussion is important and challenging. Really there are two separate questions at work in my opinion: 1) can a person come to true faith outside of an orthodox evangelical church? 2) what is the best environment to grow in faith?
To the first, yes this can happen. Paul proclaims in Philippians that whether Christ is preached from false motive or pure, he rejoices that Christ is preached. Spiritual principle: Christ is the issue and faith the response. Jesus, in Matthew 23, challenges people to follow the teaching of the Pharisees but at the same time condemns them for their wrong lives and wicked leadership. Here the principle is that even under wrong leadership, a person can discover and respond to truth. I have known Catholic people who have come to living faith and I've known those who've come to faith apart from any church influence.
But to the second question--what is the best environment for growth? The environment/church for best growth would be where the Spirit is least grieved, where the Bible is most clearly taught with least error, and where the real Jesus is most highly exalted.
I'd agree with Kevin in that anyone can be saved at anyplace, anytime, regardless of institutional influence. One thing is certain though; as a believer, one cannot stay within the confines of the Catholic church and their doctrine unless their purpose is to be a witness. Although their doctrine has become less "dogmatic" recently, even some Catholic churches adopting charismatic nuances, it is still a question of whether God's word and the message of salvation is being taught in spirit and in truth along with getting you in a closer walk with the Lord.
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