What was the Protestant Reformation?

Answer

The Protestant Reformation was a widespread theological rebellion in Europe against the abuses and authoritarian control of the Roman Catholic Church. Reformers such as Martin Luther in Germany, Ulrich Zwingli in Switzerland, and John Calvin in France objected to various unscriptural practices of the Catholic Church and advocated a return to solid biblical doctrine. The key event of the Protestant Reformation is commonly seen as Luther’s posting of his Ninety-five Theses on the door of the Wittenberg Church on October 31, 1517.

To understand the history of Protestantism and the Reformation, it is crucial to grasp the Catholic doctrine of apostolic succession. This teaching asserts that the line of Roman Catholic popes extends from the apostle Peter to the current pope over the centuries. This uninterrupted chain of authority establishes the Roman Catholic Church as the sole true church and gives the pope supremacy over all churches worldwide.

Due to their belief in apostolic succession and the pope’s infallibility (when speaking ex cathedra), Catholics elevate church teaching and tradition to a status equal to Scripture itself. This represents a significant distinction between Roman Catholics and Protestants and was a fundamental issue that led to the Protestant Reformation.

Even before the Protestant Reformation, there were scattered resistances to some unscriptural practices of the Roman Catholic Church, although they were relatively minor and isolated. The Lollards, the Waldensians, and the Petrobrusians all opposed certain Catholic doctrines. Prior to Luther’s actions, there were individuals who had already advocated for reform and the genuine gospel. Among them were John Wycliffe, an English theologian and Oxford professor condemned as a heretic in 1415; Jan Hus, a priest from Bohemia who was burned at the stake.ke in 1415 for his opposition to the Church of Rome; and Girolamo Savonarola, an Italian friar who was hanged and burned in 1498.

The opposition to the false teaching of the Roman Catholic Church came to a head in the sixteenth century when Luther, a Roman Catholic monk, challenged the authority of the pope and, in particular, the selling of indulgences. Instead of heeding the call to reform, the Roman Catholic Church dug in its heels and sought to silence the Reformers. Eventually, new churches emerged from the Reformation, forming four major divisions of Protestantism: Luther’s followers started the Lutheran Church, Calvin’s followers initiated the Reformed Church, John Knox’s followers established the Presbyterian Church in Scotland (based on Calvinistic doctrine), and, later, Reformers in England founded the Anglican Church.

At the heart of the Protestant Reformation lay four fundamental questions: How is a person saved? Where does religious authority lie? What is the church? What is the essence of Christian living? In addressing these questions, Protestant Reformers developed what would be known as the “Five Solas” (sola being the Latin word for “alone”). These five essential points of biblical doctrine clearly distinguish Protestantism from Roman Catholicism. The Reformers resisted the demands placed on them to recant these doctrines, even to the point of death. The five essential doctrines of the Protestant Reformation are as follows:

1 – Sola Scriptura, “Scripture Alone.” The Bible alone is the sole authority for all matters of faith and practice. Scripture and Scripture alone is the standard by which all teachings and traditions of the church must be measured. As Martin Luther so eloquently stated when told to recant his teachings, “Unless I am convinced by Scripture and plain reason— I do not accept the authority of the popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other— my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience i

It is neither right nor safe. God help me. Amen.”

2 – Sola Gratia, “Salvation by Grace Alone.” Salvation is evidence of God’s undeserved favor; we are rescued from God’s wrath by His grace alone, not by any work we do. God’s blessing in Christ is the sole efficient cause of salvation. This grace is the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit who brings us to Christ by freeing us from our bondage to sin and raising us from spiritual death to spiritual life.

3 – Sola Fide, “Salvation by Faith Alone.” We are justified by faith in Christ alone, not by the works of the Law. It is through faith in Christ that His righteousness is credited to us as the only possible satisfaction of God’s perfect standard.

4 – Solus Christus, “In Christ Alone.” Salvation is discovered in Jesus Christ alone; no one and nothing else can rescue. Jesus’ substitutionary death on the cross is adequate for our justification and reconciliation to God the Father. The gospel has not been proclaimed if Christ’s redemption is not declared and if faith in His resurrection is not requested.

5 – Soli Deo Gloria, “For the Glory of God Alone.” Salvation is from God and has been achieved by God for His glory alone. As Christians, we must always exalt Him and live our lives in His presence, under His authority, and for His glory.

These five crucial doctrines are the foundation of the Protestant Reformation. They are at the core of the Reformers’ plea for the church to return to biblical teaching. The Five Solas are just as vital today in assessing a church and its teachings as they were in the sixteenth century.