Reformation Day Part III

Why concern ourselves with what happened four hundred ninety years ago? We have our Bibles, why bother studying history and theology? Don't they just divide the church unnecessarily?

The Reformation is a vital part of Church History. All Church History must be taught and learned by Christians. By remembering the Reformation, we can see what the Church did right, and in many cases, did wrong. Modern Church Growth movements, revivals, and "new" revelations from God can be compared with the success of the Reformers. (BTW, this can also be done using other successful times in Church History, not just the Reformation)

One of the most important reasons we should remember the Reformation is the lesson on discernment. Do you really think the unorthodox teachings (prayers to the saints and for the dead, indulgences, purgatory, salvation by faith plus works, the elevation of Mary that would continue even after Martin Luther and the near worship of saints and angels) just appeared overnight? Nope. These teachings were gradually inserted over time. What was introduced in an early church council was, by the time of Luther, doctrine. Why? Because tradition was elevated to the authority of scripture. As time went on, scripture became less and less important. The Reformers wanted a return to Biblical Christianity, using the Scriptures as the FINAL authority. They were not opposed to tradition per se, but anything that conflicted with Scripture was to be discarded. To the Reformers, the Scripture was "The norm that normed all other norms". This is why so many doctrines were abandoned by Luther and his followers. Let us continue, using the Scriptures, to discern true and false doctrine.

The Reformers wanted their people knowledgeable of Scripture and doctrine. To this end, not only did Martin Luther translate the Bible from a dead Latin to a living German (his language) but published a catechism for the training of small children and new Christians. Others would continue his practice till everyone, regardless of one's language would be able to read and interpret the Bible for themselves. If more churches would remember their history, maybe so many in the pews would not be so ignorant of vital church doctrine; ignorant and/or unable to defend it to an unbeliever or seeker. No wonder the cults have made such inroads in our churches. How many of our churches worship services are more about entertainment than doctrine? How many have replaced theologically rich hymns with repetitive praise songs with little substance?

The Reformers had a rule "Semper Reformenda" "Always Reforming." This doesn't mean we can reinterpret the Bible or invent new doctrine like the liberals or cults do. What it means is we, as a church, must always go back to the Scriptures for instruction. If a church is in error, reform itself, using the Bible.