Why does Reformation Day matter?

October 31st, 1517, is a very important date for our Church History. In Wittenberg, Germany, Martin Luther, a monk, saw a need to defend biblical and authentic Christian faith against intentional misleadings. At this time there was only the Roman Catholic Church in Western Europe. If you considered yourself a Christian, this is the only type of church you would attend. There was no Southern Baptist, no Methodist, no Presbyterian, no Community Church, no Lutheran, no Episcapal, no nondenominational church. There were literally no denominations in the world besides the Roman Catholic Church in the West and the Eastern Orthodox Church in Eastern Europe.

Pope Leo X of the Roman Catholic Church needed money to continue the rebuild of St. Peter’s basilica, which is the place they believe the apostle Peter’s tomb is. The Pope decided to start selling “indulgences” to people who gave big enough donations, which were like faith brownie points. The more you gave, the more you had, and the more their sins were forgiven. There was also a lot of corruption, complacency, and unwillingness to change in the Roman Catholic Church at this time.

Martin Luther saw this and everything else that was going wrong in the Catholic Church, and wrote ninety-five statements against things he saw needed to change. He knew that this could lead to death, but he felt that it was necessary. Martin didn’t originally intend to cause a split in the church, but to challenge some of the false teaching and corruption in the church. Due to the invention of the printing press in 1440, the teachings and opinions of people, like Martin Luther, were able to be spread to the common people like never before.

This action led to the Protestant Reformation and inspired believers to pursue genuine faith through true repentance and a biblical foundation. This pushed for others to see that the main authority on all things is God and His Word, not man. This reformation was neither quick, nor easy as it created quite a controversy amongst the people of that day. Because of Martin Luther’s actions, other reformers were able to speak up about changes they thought were needed. With the excommunication of Martin Luther in 1521, people who agreed with his arguments stopped supporting the Catholic Church. The next year Martin Luther translated the New Testament into German (he would later translate the entire Bible to German in 1534). This was important as it allowed the “common people” in Germany to read God’s Word for themselves instead of allowing only the Roman Catholic Priests to translate it for them. Those that supported Luther’s teachings rebelled (or protested) against the Catholic Church came to be known as Protestants in 1529. Today the Protestant Church consists of many variations (or denominations), like Baptist, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Presbyterian, etc.

Within these Ninety-Five Theses (or statements) that Martin Luther tacked onto a door that was basically a bulletin board, five main truths surface as a summary for the core stance that separates Protestant from Catholic. These truths are known as the “Five Solas” in Latin.

Below, we’ve listed the “Five Solas” as well as their translations, a quick definition and scripture that supports it.

Sola Gratia - By Grace Alone

Our salvation has nothing to do with what we have done, and there is nothing that we can do to earn it. It comes from God’s grace only. This reminds us that we can’t do good works to be saved or simply be a “nice person”. We need God’s grace, which is provided through Jesus Christ. 

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9, CSB)

Sola Fide - Through Faith Alone

There is nothing we can do to gain salvation on our own. Our trust cannot be in ourselves, but instead in Jesus Christ. There’s nothing we can do to make Jesus love us any more. There’s nothing we can do to make Jesus love us any less. 

And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith. (Philippians 3:9, CSB)

Solus Christus - In Christ Alone

Christ alone is how sinners are justified in God’s eyes. (Do you see a theme here?) Because of what Jesus chose to do on the cross that fateful Friday taking on the sin of every human being of all time- ONLY because of this are we able to be saved from the curse and consequences of our sin. Without this action from Jesus Christ, we would have no chance at justification or salvation.

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12, CSB)

Sola Scriptura - According to Scripture Alone

We have a plethora of leaders we can and should listen to on a daily measure, but only one has authority over all, and that is God’s Word. Scripture alone has the final say over any and all decisions in our lives. We believe this because we believe that the Bible is divine and inspired by God. (Look for a post coming soon that discusses what God’s Word is.)

All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, CSB)

Soli Deo Gloria - For The Glory Of God Alone

God can only be fully glorified if our salvation is by His grace alone. Otherwise, we would be able to boast in ourselves, not just Him. When we attempt to give the glory or credit to ourselves for salvation or creation, we steal it from God. Isn’t it only fair that the Creator receive credit for His creation? Everything God does is to bring glory to Himself, especially because He is the only One due any glory. Without God, what are we? We are non-existent. Nothing. Yet, God, in His infinite glory and grace, has made a way for us to be creatures that have the choice (for now) to glorify Him. Therefore, everything we do is done for God’s glory. 

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17, CSB)

Conclusion

One way the five solas are often stated is “Salvation comes by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ alone by the Word alone to the glory of God alone.” We both (Mel and DeeDee) believe in the five solas wholeheartedly, even if we have differing opinions on other aspects of Luther’s teachings. We understand and appreciate that we are heirs of the Protestant Reformation and can admire the work that men like Martin Luther and others.

*This post was authored by both Mel and DeeDee.