The Reformation
The time known as the Reformation is essential to the understanding of modern doctrine as well as Christian church history. During the Reformation, the church was questioned in its practice of sacraments and indulgences. Foundational ideas were challenged, such as the nature of God, the nature of Christ, the authority of the pope, the concept of salvation, grace, purgatory, and more. This time in the Christian church history has created lasting effects to the modern church.
A primary figure in this time period was a monk by the name of Martin Luther. Luther's pursuit for understanding God and forgiveness of sin led him directing to a close examination and mediation of the Scriptures. The books of Romans and Galatians particularly captured Luther's attention and moved him to formulate theological ideas that were mature and controversial. These ideas would ultimately shift the entire paradigm of the church and of the Christian faith. |
Doctrinal Implications of the TimeGod of love vs. God of justice:
One of the fundamental tensions that Luther battled with was the nature of God. Was he a loving God, or was he a God of justice and wrath? Overpowered by his own sense of sinfulness, Luther could only think of the wrath of God upon his sin. God was seen as an angry god. Luther's ever consciousness of his sin led him to know no other image of God but his anger. Luther's duty to obey his monastic vows to the fullest led Luther to discover that what he felt for God was not love but hatred. However, as Luther began to lecture on the Epistle of Romans, he realized that justice of God was the righteousness that he gave. Therefore, the justice of God did not refer to the punishment of sinners, but the divine justice God gives to those who live by faith (Gonzales II: 25). Jesus of mercy vs. Jesus of wrath: Luther's new perspective of God's justice opened also a new perspective of Jesus. No longer was he at the judgement seat declaring judgement upon the sins of man. Jesus was an intercessor. He was the one who took upon the sins of the world in order to reconcile humanity to God. This was a new perspective of Jesus, the Son of God. This perspective and theological understanding of Jesus stands fundamental in every Christian movement today (Bainton, 47). Salvation - works vs. grace: A central doctrinal piece, Luther brought to the time the conversation that salvation came through the grace of God and not through the works of man. Therefore, salvation is a free gift. It comes not from the striving of man but through the grace of God. Additionally, this made the cross the central piece of salvation. Luther focused on how the "forgiveness of sins through the utterly unmerited grace of God is made possible by the cross of Christ, which reconciled wrath and mercy, routed the hosts of hell, triumphed over sin and death, and by the resurrection manifested that power which enables man to die to sin and rise to newness of life." Therefore, it was no one's working or authority that gave salvation. It was from God, by grace, through the cross of Jesus Christ alone (Bainton, 51). Justification by faith: Luther clung onto Romans 1:17 during his study and preaching of Romans. The verse reads that, "the just shall live by faith." Here, Luther found his imperative theological idea of justification by faith. This theological idea states that the righteous of God is give tho those who live by faith. Therefore, it is given not because of one's righteousness, nor because one fulfills the demands of divine justice. It is given solely because God wishes to give it. Therefore, Luther's doctrine of justification through faith "does not mean that what God demands of us is faith, as if this were something we have to do or achieve, and which God then rewards. It means rather that both faith and justification are the work of God, a free gift to sinners." Again, this theological idea was shocking and ground breaking during Luther's time. Today, it is a central piece of church doctrine often taken for granted (Gonzales II: 25). Indulgences, Purgatory: During Luther's time, the Catholic church had begun to greatly abuse the church congregation. There was great corruption among the clergy. There was an abuse of relics. One of the primary abuses of the Catholic church was the presence and selling of indulgences. These indulgences were sold to people of the time to reduce the time or free their loved ones from purgatory. Purgatory was the waiting place in between earth and heaven. One would spend time in purgatory to be cleansed of the sin and evil deeds from the time on earth. To reduce the time spent in purgatory, living loved ones would purchase indulgences on behalf of the deceased individual. This was based off of 2 Maccabees 12:43-46. During Luther's time, the money gained from indulgences were used to build the new Saint Peter's Basilica. Luther openly attacked such practices: "no one, [Luther] declared, can know whether the remission of sins is complete, because complete remission is granted only to those who exhibit worthy contrition and confession, and no one can know whether contrition and confession are perfectly worthy. To assert that the pope can deliver souls from purgatory is audacious. If he can do so, then he is cruel not to release them all. But if he possess this ability, he is in a position to do more for the dead than for the living. The purchasing of indulgences in any case is highly dangerous and likely to induce complacency" (Bainton, 54). |
Important VoicesMartin Luther
Martin Luther was a German monk. Luther sparked the Reformation in 1517 by posting up his "95 Theses" on the doors of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany. In this document, Luther listed the concerns and faults he saw in the current church practices. These practices were things such as the sale of indulgences. Luther's voice in his "95 Theses" sparked conversation about the theological implications of the church as well as the moral practices of the church. Luther went on to write about justification through faith. This theological idea was profound and has continued to live into the theology of orthodox churches (.
Desiderius Erasmus
Desiderius Erasmus was known as the "Prince of Humanists." He was greatly influenced by the Brethren of the Common Life. He believed that obedience was more important than doctrine and that righteousness was more important than orthodoxy. Therefore, he sought for "the reformation of customs, the practice of decency and moderation, an inner devotion shaped by learning and meditation, and a church that encouraged these things." Therefore, Erasmus is often seen as Luther's counterpart. Although Erasmus desired reform, he did not necessarily agree with Luther's means of reform. Erasmus eventually broke away from Luther and his followers (Gonzales 14-17).
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