|
Circuit Rider - November 2009
How The Protestant Reformation Began
On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted Ninety-Five Theses on the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany. They are widely regarded as the primary catalyst for the Protestant Reformation. Church doors at the time functioned very much as bulletin boards. It made a lot of sense to post them then since October 31 is the day before All Saints Day when everyone would be in church.
I have included the first of the Ninety Five Theses. It takes a background of history to understand how these statements were received at that time. Let me say that many rebuked what He said but many also agreed and as a result the Protestant Reformation began. We United Methodist's are part of the result or product of the posting of these Theses.
1st Theses: Our Lord and Master Jesus Christ, when He said Poenitentiam agite, willed that the whole life of believers should be repentance.
"Poenitentiam agite" means repent or do penance. It is used in two particular scriptures. First in Matthew 3:2 by John the Baptist. He says, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Then it is also mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 4:17, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." How this phrase is interpreted is what caused such a stir in the church. Does it mean repent, turn away from sin and be faithful to the gospel or does it mean do penance. Is it about faith or works. I believe this is what started the reformation in 1517.
This discussion has continued for the last 500 years. Is our relationship with God based on what we do or on what God has done for us? How do our works of righteousness fit in? Can I earn my way to heaven? And for that matter what is heaven?
Out of the reformation we have come to understand that good works can be done by anyone. You do not have to be in a relationship with God to be kind to others, to love others, to help others. But good works cannot make God love you more. God's love for everyone is complete and unconditional. But God's love and God's pleasure for us are not the same thing. We have been reflecting through these 50 Days on the verse, "Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to God must first believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Hebrews 11:6
The things we do for good should be a logical, natural, reasonable response to our understanding of what God has done for us. "For God so loved the world that He sent His only son that whosoever believes in Him will not perish but will have eternal life." John 3:16.
So repentance is a turning away from sin. It is an acknowledgement that what we have done is wrong and needs forgiveness. We should be sorry for our sin, our disobedience to God, but we should also repent or turn away from it. We should have a deep desire to not repeat it. Repent for the Kingdom of God is near!
See You In Worship,
Pastor John |
