Word of the week: 500

500 years since Luther.

I hope you took a few minutes on October 31 to think about the significance of the day - and, it’s not too late to do so, because it is such an important day to remember. If you are thinking about Halloween, we aren’t on the same page! Reformation day - the day which Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the Wittenberg door is what is on my mind. The main principles that came out of Luther’s reforms are the “Solas” of the Reformation. Believe it or not, this was not what the church of Luther’s day was pushing as the great ideas. The Solas (from the latin) are

Scripture alone:  The Bible is the final authority for what we believe and how we live

Grace Alone:  Salvation is from beginning to end by Grace.

Faith Alone:  It is faith in Jesus Christ alone that saves us.

Christ alone:  Christ’s work on the cross is sufficient to satisfy God’s wrath and then his righteousness becomes ours when we believe

To God alone be the glory:  Salvation is all to God’s glory because he is the author and finisher of our faith.

Luther, Calvin and the others were fighting for the full freedom of the Biblical gospel. Those who went before them were often burned at the stake. They struggled to give us the Christian freedom which is our biblical birthright. It is worth considering and yes, even celebrating this day!

Learn more about these at this link.