“I cannot submit my faith either to the Pope or to the Councils, because it is clear as day that they have frequently erred and contradicted each other. Unless therefore, I am convinced by the testimony of Scripture…I cannot and will not retract…Here I stand, I can do no other. So help me God, Amen.” – Martin Luther
Tomorrow marks 490 years since Martin Luther hung his famous Ninety-Five Theses on the Castle Church door in Wittenberg, Germany.
Written in reaction to papal abuses and false teachings in the Roman Catholic Church, the document stands as the starting point for the momentous Protestant Reformation, a call for reform in the Roman Catholic Church.
A Catholic monk and theologian, Luther came to the realization, after reading and studying the Bible, that his so-called good works and dedication to the church would not save him from God’s wrath. The sinner’s only hope for salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Luther learned that salvation is a gift from God. Woeful sinners like you and me are justified – made righteous – by our faith in Jesus Christ. Neither “good” works nor the “intercession” of other sinful men can save us from God’s just wrath. Christ is our intercessor.
Luther translated the Bible to vernacular German so the common people could read and understand it for themselves instead of having it filtered through an “authority.” With the advent of the printing press, Luther’s call for reformation spread to the masses.
Biblical principles known as the “five solas” emerged from the Protestant Reformation, and these principles stand in contrast to what Rome teaches.
Soli Deo Gloria!
(Dan Phillips brings the comedy.)
Resources:
- Selected works of Martin Luther – Project Wittenberg
- Martin Luther – Wikipedia
- Martin Luther – PBS
- Protestant Reformation texts
- Monergism.com
- Lots of good links at Calvinist Gadfly
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