Reformation Day

Today is the day we commemorate the posting of the “95 Theses” on the door of the University Church in Wittenburg, Germany in 1517. Reformation was certainly needed in that day. The church was corrupt spiritually, morally, theologically, and just about every other way we can imagine. Martin Luther wanted to debate the issue and a revolution broke out.

The Reformation was, indeed, a revolution. People died for their faith, but much more revolutionary is the fact that modern science, modern education and modern views on government all resulted from the Reformation – especially because of the Reformers’ insistence that the Bible is God’s Word and it is an infallible and authoritative for all matters in life. We’ve managed to distort science, education and government, but the only possible way to reform society today is the same way the Reformers did – a reliance on God’s Word. But today, the seminaries and the churches are playing a large part in distorting God’s Word, as well.

University of Virginia sociologist James Hunter reports that 35% of evangelical seminarians deny that faith in Christ is absolutely necessary for salvation. George Barna, the George Gallup of Christian polling, reports that about the same percentage of conservative, evangelical Protestants in America also accept this watered down view of the means of salvation. He reports that “Many committed born again Christians believe that people have multiple options for gaining entry to Heaven.” George W. Bush also has affirmed this on many occasions, and he is considered by many to be an evangelical Christian.

Reformation is needed today. It is the church which needs it most. Alleged “Evangelicals” and “Born Again Christians” are accepting these blatantly unbiblical beliefs. And they hear it from the pulpits – because the pastors were taught in seminaries and Bible colleges where the professors neither believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation nor accept His Word as an inspired, infallible, and authoritative guide.

If we are to take Jesus at His Word (and I do!), then nobody comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). That’s plain enough for me to understand. It was plain enough for the Reformers to grasp. Now let’s share it in the churches and pastoral training schools.

Soli Deo Gloria.