A Salvation up for Sale, a People in the Dark, and a Monk with a Hammer
On a fateful October evening 508 years (and 9 days) ago, the cobblestone streets of Wittenburg, Germany, bustled with the hum of daily life- merchants haggling, children darting through alleys, church bells tolling in the distance, and citizens making busy in preparation for All Saints Day. By all appearances, certainly there was nothing significant about a simple Augustinian monk walking up the steps toward the Castle Church. That’s what monks did. Little did those citizens know, nor indeed could they have ever dreamed, that monk, described as ‘5 feet 7 inches tall… with a strong, square jaw… and dark, striking eyes,’ was appointed by God to ignite a spark of light, during a time of historic spiritual darkness, that would become a blazing fire of truth to every corner of the earth.
The monk’s name was Martin Luther, and clutched in his hand as he ascended those 12 church steps was a sheaf of parchment inscribed with Ninety-five theses, or propositions, that outlined his grievances against the Roman Catholic Church’s corrupt practices. With steady hands, the 33-year-old monk nailed the document to the church’s heavy oak door, the sharp rap of hammer on nail cutting through the evening air.
Although his aim may not have been worldwide reformation of the church, in the same way that Christopher Columbus had not intended to find America just 25 years prior, Luther simply desired a proper debate to air his concerns (as Columbus only sought an efficient trade route from Europe to Asia). The best documented concern of Luther was the Church’s selling of indulgences. The power and corruption of the church had collided in such devastating ways that the forgiveness of sins itself had been put up for sale. For the right price, you could obtain ‘indulgences,’ forgiving your sins, or the sins of the dead. No wonder those old Catholic buildings were extravagant! Such unthinkable corruption proved to be the inevitable result when men were seen as holding absolute power over God’s Word.
God used the concerns of that Augustinian monk to ignite the Protestant Reformation, a movement that began that day but unfolded over decades, even centuries, as the church sought to return to biblical truth. In some ways, we’re still reforming today. The Five Solas- Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and God’s glory alone- emerged as pillars of this renewal, and as we approach Reformation Day on October 31, we give thanks for this moment and the Five Solas it birthed, each a reason to be grateful for the Reformation’s enduring legacy.
1. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone
Sola scriptura declares that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Roman Church had buried God’s Word under layers of tradition, papal bulls, and clerical control, leaving believers dependent on a corrupt institution to interpret Scripture on their behalf. Luther’s insistence on Scripture’s supremacy, combined with Guttenberg’s recently invented printing press, freed believers to engage directly with God’s Word, translated into languages they could understand.
Let us be thankful for this gift every time we open our Bibles. Every quiet time we have with God’s word in the stillness of the morning, every time we hear a sermon with an open Bible before us, and every small group of wrestling with meaning and application together is a testimony both to the sufficiency of Scripture and, as Luther put it, ‘Scripture… is such that it can be understood by the simplest minds, provided they seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.’
2. Sola Fide: Faith Alone
Sola fide teaches that we are justified by faith alone, not by works or payments to the church. The Roman Church’s indulgence system turned salvation into a transaction, selling forgiveness and promising eternal rewards for money or deeds. Luther’s rediscovery of Romans 1:17—’The righteous shall live by faith’- helped to restore the truth that salvation comes through trusting Christ alone.
Unlike the Roman view’s burdensome requirements of seven rigid sacraments, pilgrimages, relic venerations, and all manner of works-based salvation, sola fide offers peace, knowing our salvation is secure by the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God of Jesus Christ. Let us be refreshed that faith alone is able to attach us to the life-giving benefits merited by Christ.
3. Sola Gratia: Grace Alone
Sola gratia affirms that salvation is by God’s grace alone, not earned through human merits. The Roman Church taught that good works, sacraments, and penances contributed to salvation, creating a system where grace was diluted by human achievement. The reformers proclaimed that God’s unmerited favor, freely given, is the sole source of our redemption (Ephesians 2:8-9). Human effort cannot polish the gospel; it can only muddy it.
Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let us be thankful for a gospel that begins and ends with God’s grace.
4. Solus Christus: Christ Alone
Solus Christus declares that Christ alone is our mediator and savior. The Roman Church encouraged reliance on priests, saints, and relics as intermediaries, suggesting that Christ’s work needed supplementation. The reformers pointed to Christ’s sufficient sacrifice on the cross, our only bridge to God.
This truth must center our worship. Our hymns are to lift up Jesus’ name, our prayers seek His intercession, and our communion celebrates His sacrifice. Unlike the Roman view’s crowded path to God, solus Christus simplifies and strengthens our faith in Christ alone. We’re grateful for a Savior who stands alone as our hope.
5. Soli Deo Gloria: To God’s Glory Alone
Soli Deo gloria calls us to live for God’s glory alone, not the glory of human institutions. The Roman Church often exalted its own power, wealth, and leaders, diverting attention from God. The reformers taught that every aspect of life- worship, work, family- should honor God alone.
This must shape our church’s mission. From kid’s choir to small groups, from maintaining our lawns to ministering to widows, from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, we are to seek to bring glory to God, not ourselves. Unlike the Roman view’s self-aggrandizement, soli Deo gloria gives purpose to our daily lives, whether teaching children or serving coworkers. We’re thankful for a faith that directs all praise to God.
How should we express our thanks this season?
In light of the enduring legacy of the reformation, let me suggest a few practical outworkings to honor our reformed heritage.
The monk’s name was Martin Luther, and clutched in his hand as he ascended those 12 church steps was a sheaf of parchment inscribed with Ninety-five theses, or propositions, that outlined his grievances against the Roman Catholic Church’s corrupt practices. With steady hands, the 33-year-old monk nailed the document to the church’s heavy oak door, the sharp rap of hammer on nail cutting through the evening air.
Although his aim may not have been worldwide reformation of the church, in the same way that Christopher Columbus had not intended to find America just 25 years prior, Luther simply desired a proper debate to air his concerns (as Columbus only sought an efficient trade route from Europe to Asia). The best documented concern of Luther was the Church’s selling of indulgences. The power and corruption of the church had collided in such devastating ways that the forgiveness of sins itself had been put up for sale. For the right price, you could obtain ‘indulgences,’ forgiving your sins, or the sins of the dead. No wonder those old Catholic buildings were extravagant! Such unthinkable corruption proved to be the inevitable result when men were seen as holding absolute power over God’s Word.
God used the concerns of that Augustinian monk to ignite the Protestant Reformation, a movement that began that day but unfolded over decades, even centuries, as the church sought to return to biblical truth. In some ways, we’re still reforming today. The Five Solas- Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and God’s glory alone- emerged as pillars of this renewal, and as we approach Reformation Day on October 31, we give thanks for this moment and the Five Solas it birthed, each a reason to be grateful for the Reformation’s enduring legacy.
1. Sola Scriptura: Scripture Alone
Sola scriptura declares that the Bible alone is the ultimate authority for faith and practice. The Roman Church had buried God’s Word under layers of tradition, papal bulls, and clerical control, leaving believers dependent on a corrupt institution to interpret Scripture on their behalf. Luther’s insistence on Scripture’s supremacy, combined with Guttenberg’s recently invented printing press, freed believers to engage directly with God’s Word, translated into languages they could understand.
Let us be thankful for this gift every time we open our Bibles. Every quiet time we have with God’s word in the stillness of the morning, every time we hear a sermon with an open Bible before us, and every small group of wrestling with meaning and application together is a testimony both to the sufficiency of Scripture and, as Luther put it, ‘Scripture… is such that it can be understood by the simplest minds, provided they seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit.’
2. Sola Fide: Faith Alone
Sola fide teaches that we are justified by faith alone, not by works or payments to the church. The Roman Church’s indulgence system turned salvation into a transaction, selling forgiveness and promising eternal rewards for money or deeds. Luther’s rediscovery of Romans 1:17—’The righteous shall live by faith’- helped to restore the truth that salvation comes through trusting Christ alone.
Unlike the Roman view’s burdensome requirements of seven rigid sacraments, pilgrimages, relic venerations, and all manner of works-based salvation, sola fide offers peace, knowing our salvation is secure by the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God of Jesus Christ. Let us be refreshed that faith alone is able to attach us to the life-giving benefits merited by Christ.
3. Sola Gratia: Grace Alone
Sola gratia affirms that salvation is by God’s grace alone, not earned through human merits. The Roman Church taught that good works, sacraments, and penances contributed to salvation, creating a system where grace was diluted by human achievement. The reformers proclaimed that God’s unmerited favor, freely given, is the sole source of our redemption (Ephesians 2:8-9). Human effort cannot polish the gospel; it can only muddy it.
Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Let us be thankful for a gospel that begins and ends with God’s grace.
4. Solus Christus: Christ Alone
Solus Christus declares that Christ alone is our mediator and savior. The Roman Church encouraged reliance on priests, saints, and relics as intermediaries, suggesting that Christ’s work needed supplementation. The reformers pointed to Christ’s sufficient sacrifice on the cross, our only bridge to God.
This truth must center our worship. Our hymns are to lift up Jesus’ name, our prayers seek His intercession, and our communion celebrates His sacrifice. Unlike the Roman view’s crowded path to God, solus Christus simplifies and strengthens our faith in Christ alone. We’re grateful for a Savior who stands alone as our hope.
5. Soli Deo Gloria: To God’s Glory Alone
Soli Deo gloria calls us to live for God’s glory alone, not the glory of human institutions. The Roman Church often exalted its own power, wealth, and leaders, diverting attention from God. The reformers taught that every aspect of life- worship, work, family- should honor God alone.
This must shape our church’s mission. From kid’s choir to small groups, from maintaining our lawns to ministering to widows, from Sunday morning to Wednesday evening, we are to seek to bring glory to God, not ourselves. Unlike the Roman view’s self-aggrandizement, soli Deo gloria gives purpose to our daily lives, whether teaching children or serving coworkers. We’re thankful for a faith that directs all praise to God.
How should we express our thanks this season?
In light of the enduring legacy of the reformation, let me suggest a few practical outworkings to honor our reformed heritage.
- Open your Bible. What, did you expect something new? Re-discover what a treasure we have been given in having God’s own Word in our language.
- Share the gospel. Understanding that salvation is by faith alone and in Christ alone ought to give us the utmost confidence to be bold.
- Prioritize worship. If the reformation taught us anything, it’s that human beings are unable to steal away the glory that is due only to His name. Give it to Him freely. Prioritize worshiping God corporately with His body every Sunday, and at home throughout the week.
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