Historical Overview of the Protestant Reformation (2 of 5)

Augustine believed that God was sovereign over all aspects of his creation.

Faith precedes and is the means by which we arrive at true knowledge of God.

Free-will is inevitably subordinate to divine sovereignty.

Original sin and total depravity after the fall.

All Christians are predestined to salvation.

Pelagius believed humans are born sinless.

Adam’s fall did not corrupt human nature.

Sinless perfection in this life is possible.

Death is not the result of sin. Adam was created to die even in his original state.

John Wycliffe

Oxford University Theologian.

Religious advisor to King Edward III.

In 1378-80 he began publishing works that contradicted the Roman Church and the pope.

Gave us the first English translation from the Latin Vulgate, even though it was completed after he died.

Died in 1384. 34 years after his death, the church dug up his bones, burned them, and dumped them in the river Swift or at sea depending on who you talk to.

Believed God delated authority over secular matters to the state and spiritual matters to the church.

The only source for sound doctrine is the Bible.

Every claim, regardless of who makes it, must be subject to Holy Scripture.

The church is the body of Christ, rooted in God’s eternal predestination, infallibly known to God alone.

The papacy is of human origin.

Rejected transubstantiation

Transubstantiation: Beneath the medieval concept of a eucharistic sacrifice lay belief in the real presence of Christ in the elements. By consecration, it was held, the bread is substantially the body of Christ and the wine his blood. Naturally we still see, touch, taste, and smell bread and wine, for the so–called accidents remain intact. But the substance has supposedly changed (transubstantiation). Hence the priest offers Christ’s body and blood on the altar, and communicants receive them by receiving the elements. All who receive the elements receive Christ. Properly the Supper should be administered at least once a week. Non-communicating attendance makes no sense.

How important is the Protestant Reformation in the grand scheme of things?

The inquisitions employed water boarding as a torture technique on accused heretics.

The inquisitions employed water boarding as a torture technique on accused heretics.

11/20/1500]

How should the church deal with the obstinate heretic & immoral person?

1 Corinthians 5:11 ESV

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

3 John 6–10 ESV

who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth. I have written something to the church, but Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first, does not acknowledge our authority. So if I come, I will bring up what he is doing, talking wicked nonsense against us. And not content with that, he refuses to welcome the brothers, and also stops those who want to and puts them out of the church.

3 John

The Historical Context of the Reformation

7 minutes

Constantinianism first became a problem in the church in the fourth century and has continued to threaten the mission of the church ever since.

This is the Identification of the Church with, in that age, the Roman Empire. In our age, its called the Christian America. It is the attempt on the part of the church to use the coercive power of the state to enforce Christian morality and values. It is a tendency toward exuberance due to the rise of Christianity, sometimes called Christian triumphalism. It is also called the Great Apostasy or the Constantinian shift.

The Political Landscape

The Geographical Extent of Roman Catholicism - everywhere there was Christianity, there was Roman Catholicism.

The Political Setting

The significance of the year 313 and Constantine.

In 247 Christians made themselves very unpopular by refusing to celebrate the 1,000th anniversary of the founding of Rome.

In 248 Goths began a series of invasions that shook the Roman Empire.

The Emperor, Decius blamed Christians for this saying that the gods were angry. Persecution broke out. Large numbers of Christians committed apostasy.

Constantine’s dream - Χρ with the Chi on top of the Rho. By this sign you will conquer. He prayed to the Christian God for victory and beat the anti-Christian emperor of the East, Maxentius at the battle of the Milvian Bridge.

Constantine’s conversion altered both, the Roman Empire and the course of Christianity down to this very day.

In 313, Constantine and Licinius met in Milan and granted Christianity full legal status. But by 320 Licinius was back at persecuting the Christians.

In 321, Constantine made Sunday, the Christian day of Worship, into an official day of rest.

He made Christian bishops into part of the Empire’s legal structure.

Constantine also created a form of welfare to help the poor which discouraged the common Roman custom of killing unwanted children at birth.

It was presumed that part of the Emperor’s responsibility was to use his authority to uphold and worship Rome’s traditional gods if the Empire was to have peace and prosperity. Constantine transferred this belief to Christianity.

The Financial Situation

The spiritual authority of the church was used to abuse even the poorest among them.

The Religious Authorities

Because the pope was the head of the church, everywhere the church was, came under his rule.

If an emperor feared the pope, and feared excommunication enough, the pope could manipulate everyone under his power.

How might political issues distract from the mission of the holy Christian Church in modern American society?

The Theological Context

10 min = 17 min

Heresy: The infection of grace with depraved human works, effort, and natural cooperation.

Epistemic Authority

The Pope

Head of the church.

Matthew 16:18 ESV

And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Infallibility - Infallibility belongs in a special way to the pope as head of the bishops (; ). As Vatican II remarked, it is a charism the pope "enjoys in virtue of his office, when, as the supreme shepherd and teacher of all the faithful, who confirms his brethren in their faith (), he proclaims by a definitive act some doctrine of faith or morals. Therefore his definitions, of themselves, and not from the consent of the Church, are justly held irreformable, for they are pronounced with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, an assistance promised to him in blessed Peter." (ex cathedra: from the chair)

The Magisterium

This is the teaching authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The magisterium consists of the bishops of the Church under the authority of the pope. The Magisterium gives the infallible interpretation of Scripture.

The magisterium consists of the bishops of the Church under the authority of the pope.

C. Stephen Evans, Pocket Dictionary of Apologetics & Philosophy of Religion (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002), 72.

Tradition

The Council of Trent: “this truth and instruction are contained in the written books and in the unwritten traditions, which have been received by the apostles from the mouth of Christ Himself, or from the apostles themselves, at the dictation of the Holy Spirit, have come down to us.” [Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995), 180.]

“this truth and instruction are contained in the written books and in the unwritten traditions, which have been received by the apostles from the mouth of Christ Himself, or from the apostles themselves, at the dictation of the Holy Spirit, have come down to us.”

Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995), 180.

Salvation

Justification: If anyone shall say that man’s free will moved and aroused by God does not cooperate by assenting to God who looses and calls . . . let him be anathema.” [Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995), 224.]

If anyone shall say that man’s free will moved and aroused by God does not cooperate by assenting to God who looses and calls . . . let him be anathema.”

Catholics believe that baptism represents initial justification, but then penance and the eucharist pertain to progressive justification.

[Norman L. Geisler and Ralph E. MacKenzie, Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1995), 224.]

Purgatory

Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences The Doctrine of Purgatory

If anyone says that after the reception of the grace of justification the guilt is so remitted and the debt of eternal punishment so blotted out to every repentant sinner, that no debt of temporal punishment remains to be discharged, either in this world or in Purgatory, before the gates of Heaven can be opened, let him be anathema.”

i. Catholics quote from ; ;

Indulgences

Indulgences come under the Roman Catholic Dogma of justification, the sub-section of merits.

Christ purchased a treasury of merits because just one drop of his blood was sufficient for the forgiveness of all sin. Christ has purchased excess merit. Mary lived a sinless life and also contributed greatly to the treasure of merit.

The ideal of indulgences combines the teaching of the mystical union of all believers in the body with the teaching on the treasury of merit and finally contends that we can provide vicarious atonement for one another by accessing the treasury of merit, a treasury over which the pope has complete control.

Hence, the pope authorizes access to the treasury of merit through indulgences.

Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences Roman Catholic Teaching on Justification

“When in the box the penny rings, the soul from purgatory springs.”

What are some popular substitutes we make for authority in our own religious claims?

Desiderius Erasmus 1469-1536 (Rotterdam)

Erasmus was a humanist and an opponent of Luther

It was Erasmus whom Luther engaged in the debate on Free Will, resulting in Luther’s book, “The Bondage of the Will.”

This is the hinge on which our discussion turns, the crucial issue between us.

iii. Luther affirmed God’s absolute sovereignty in salvation while Erasmus insisted on efforts and cooperation within the human will.

iv. Erasmus’ Greek New Testament

Erasmus’ GNT was the second to be printed but the first to be distributed.

f.

v. Erasmus

Erasmus’ GNT was based on 6 manuscripts no earlier than the 10th century.

Luther used the second edition to translate the NT into German.

The KJV is based on Erasmas’ GNT.

I will have more to say about Erasmus in a couple of weeks when we come to the history of the Bible.

The Life of Martin Luther (1483-1546)

30 min = 47 min

Born in 1483 in Eiselben, Germany

Father was a copper miner. Parents were very hash.

Training - entered the University of Erfurt, intending to become a lawyer at 18.

After his graduation (2nd in his class), he remained in Erfurt, studying to become a lawyer, but only after five months in, he abandoned the cause, renounced the world, and joined the Augustinian order of friars in Erfurt.

Luther had lost a close school-friend and had a very close encounter almost being killed by lightening himself. This aroused within Luther a passion for religion and the salvation of his soul.

Luther would marry Katharina von Bora, a former nun, and have children. They had six children, two that died, one at 8 months and the other 13 years. They also had a miscarriage. In addition, they raised four foster children.

Luther’s last words were, “We are beggars, this is true.”

Martin Luther the Reformer

What is a projection of God?

Why do we have a seemingly innate tendency to project God?

There was, during Luther’s time above all others, an apocalyptic expectation so intense that at no other time was the last judgment so frequently and graphically depicted.

Luther took the doctrine of sin and grace very seriously and struggled desperately to understand how such a God as described to him could ever be merciful to a sinner such as he was.

Luther was trained in Erfurt, which was heavily influence by William of Occam’s philosophy. Occam embraced a neo pelagian theology. Humans, on the basis of their natural powers are automatically able to keep the commandments and thus to love God above all things. [Condemned as heresy at the Council of Ephesus in 431]

When Luther was unable to keep God’s commands and to love God purely, he had to look for the problem within himself.

The Augustinian order soon recognized the talented young Luther and ordained him to the priesthood in 1507.

In 1508 Luther became a junior lecturer at the new University in Wittenberg.

It was during this time that Luther was mentored by Johannes van Staupitz, a fervent disciple of Augustine and his theology of God’s sovereign, unconditional grace.

Luther once said of Staupitz, “If Staupitz had not helped me, I would have been swallowed up in hell and left there.”

Staupitz sent Luther to visit Rome in 1511. Luther concluded, “If there is a hell, Rome is built over it.”

Luther places his conversion at the point where he began to understand at last the righteousness of God mentioned in . There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith.

In 1515, Pope Leo X authorized the sale of a special set of indulgences in order to raise capital for the construction of Saint Peter’s basilica in Rome. The sales agent leading the effort was the infamous Johann Tetzel.

Luther’s concern was not as some ivory tower academic nor was it personal offense. Luther was “sub-prior” of the Augustinian convent, Wittenberg, in charge of the studies of all the new friars; he was the pastor of Wittenberg’s parish church, and he was a provincial superior in the Augustinian order, with eleven convents under his supervision. This brought with it tremendous legal, financial, and spiritual burdens.

Luther was horrified that people in his own congregation would buy indulgences thinking that salvation could be purchased for cash without showing any signs of repentance.

As a result, Luther nailed his 95 theses to the castle church in Wittenberg.

In his 97 thesis, Luther wrote, It is false to say that the human will, let to itself, is free to choose between opposites; for it is not free but in bondage.

It is false to say that the will is able by nature to obey a righteous command.

A human being cannot by his own nature will God to be God. He would prefer to be God himself, and that God were not God.

In his 95 theses, Luther wrote, When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent,” He meant that the entire life of believers should be a life of repentance.

Any Christian at all who is truly repentant receives (as is right) the full remission of his punishment and guilt, without any certificate of indulgence.

Martin Luther’s 95 Theses Thesis 7

7. God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to His vicar, the priest.

God remits guilt to no one whom He does not, at the same time, humble in all things and bring into subjection to his vicar, the priest.

The more we condemn, confound, and curse ourselves, the more richly the grace of God flows into us.

Luther’s views of clergy & laity. Martin Luther believed there to be no material difference between clergy and laity. Each person is called to serve according to God’s purpose. The glory of God is experienced in the manner in which each individual approaches his or her own calling.

What does Luther’s view imply for the modern American celebrity pastor phenomenon we see today?

The Appeals for Church Reform

A Study Guide for Martin Luther’s Basic Theological Writings The Life of Martin Luther: A Chronology

1517 September 4: disputation against Scholastic Theology—critique of synergistic theology

October 31: posts the “Ninety-five Theses against Indulgences” and sends copy to Archbishop Albrecht

1518 April: defends his theology at plenary meeting of the Augustinian Order in Heidelberg

August: publishes “Explanation of the Ninety-five Theses”; charged with heresy by the Archbishop

October: is summoned to Augsburg for interrogation by Cardinal Cajetan

1519 June–July: Leipzig Debate—Luther and Karlstadt versus Dominican theologian Johannes Eck

October: coronation of new emperor, Charles V, a lifelong opponent of Luther

1520 June 24: papal bull “Exsurge Domine” gives Luther sixty days to recant or be excommunicated

August: “Appeal to the German Nobility” reform proposals and critique of hierarchical polity

October: “The Babylonian Captivity of the Church,” a critique of Catholic view of sacraments

November: “The Freedom of a Christian” explanation of relation of grace, faith, and good works

December: burns the papal bull and books of canon law in a public ceremony

1521 January: The Diet of Worms—is given a final hearing before emperor and refuses to recant

“Decet Romanum Pontificem” papal excommunication decree goes into effect

May 3: is “kidnapped” and hidden away in Wartburg Castle near Eisenach

It was the Eck debate in 1519 that forced Luther to advance the position of sola Scriptura.

Karlstadt was unimpressive against the sharper Eck; then Luther stepped in.

Phillip Melancthon was present at the debate and suggested arguments but did not speak.

Eck recognized that Luther’s views were similar to John Hus whom the Council of Constance condemned to death in 1415.

Luther admitted the Council erred, the infallibility of the Councils came crashing down, and hence Scripture alone was recaptured.

The reformers did not mean that there were no authorities to which the Christian ought to submit. They continued to acknowledge the “rule of faith” as an example which is usually thought of as the Apostles Creed. But the final authority itself, the supreme authority in matters of faith is Scripture.

In 1526 Charles V found himself in struggles with both France and Pope Clement VII, the Diet of Spire formally withdrew the Edict of Worms which had condemned Luther.

Many of the moderate emperors joined the Catholic cause by 1529 prompting another Diet of Spire. It was at this Diet that those opposing Catholicism were called “Protestants.”

What appeals for church reform would you make today?

Luther and Erasmus Debate

Erasmus explains (to George of Saxony) that he sees Luther as one of the long line of those used by God - like Pharoah, the Philistines, Nebuchadnezzar, and the Romans - to chastise the chosen people for their own good, a necessary scourge.

To Henry Stromer (Auerbach) he wrote, Whatever Luther’s opinion of me may be, when it comes to a question of faith I obviously consider him of little worth.

Luther’s response to Erasmus’ book is delayed which he explains this way:

So, you see, what kept me from rushing in with an answer to you was not difficulty of so doing, nor pressure of other work, not the grandeur of your eloquence, nor fear of you, but simply disgust, disinclination, and distaste - which, if I may say so, express my judgment about your Diatribe.

Luther gives his insight on Christian assertions:

To take no pleasure in assertions is not the mark of a Christian heart; indeed, one must delight in assertions to be a Christian at all. (Now, lest we be misled by words, let me say here that by ‘assertion’ I mean staunchly holding your ground, stating your position, confessing it, defending it and persevering in it unvanquished.)

To Luther, Christianity was a matter of doctrine first and foremost, because true religion was first and foremost a matter of faith; and faith is correlative to truth. Faith is trust in God through Jesus Christ as He stands revealed in the gospel.

Take away assertions, and you take away Christianity.

Others who have lived before me have attacked the Pope’s evil and scandalous life, but I have attacked his doctrine.

In particular, the denial of free-will was to Luther the foundation of the Biblical doctrine of grace, and a hearty endorsement of that denial was the first step for anyone who would understand the gospel and come to faith in God.

In other words, the biblical doctrine of grace, rightly understood, is incompatible with the doctrine of the absolute freedom of the will.

Luther goes on here to say that assertions pertain to that which is plainly taught in Scripture and says that to make assertions regarding things that are doubtful, or unprofitable and unnecessary, such assertions and contentions are not merely stupid, but positively impious.

It should be noted that Luther did not reject purgatory until 1528 in his publication, Confession Concerning Christ’s Supper.

Summary statement on Luther’s view:

We are compelled to ask ourselves: If the Almighty God of the Bible is to be our God, if the New Testament gospel is to be our message, if Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever - is any other position than Luther’s possible? Are we not in all honesty bound to stand with him in ascribing all might, and majesty, and dominion, and power, and all the glory of our salvation to God alone? Surely no more important or far-reaching question confronts the Church today.

It was in her capacity as the prompter and agent of ‘natural’ theology that Mistress Reason was in Luther’s eyes the devils whore; for natural theology is, he held, blasphemous in principle, and bankrupt in practice

Heidelberg Disputation

When our Lord and Master Jesus Christ said, “Repent”, he willed the entire life of believers to be one of repentance.The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God

Disputation - 1518

Presided over by Luther

The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.

28 Theological Theses and and additional 12 Philosophical Theses

It is certain that man must despair of his own ability before he is prepared to receive the grace of Christ. (Thelogical)

The person

He who wishes to philosophize by using Aristotle without danger to his soul must first become thoroughly foolish in Christ. (Philosophical)

Augsburg Confession

Delivered to Charles V in 1530, 13 years after Luther had nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church at Wittenberg.

God

Original Sin

Justification

The church

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper

Free will

Good works

Civil Authorities

In all, it contains two parts with 29 articles

The Theology of Martin Luther

How important is the study of theology and church history in the life of the Christian?

Why do you think that

Before I get into Luther’s beliefs, I want to point out that those who accuse people of

The Word of God was the starting point and the final authority for his theology.

Luther’s theology of the cross is a rejection of rationalistic theology, what Luther called a theology of glory, something very close to what we call “natural theology.” The theology of the cross claims that the epitome of God’s revelation of himself is express in the cross.

The doctrine of justification in Luther is often framed up in his teaching on Law and Gospel. Without one, you cannot have the other. The good news is that I can be justified in Christ. But without the law, I am no sinner and need no justification. And without the gospel, living under law only, I am condemned. To say that I am not a sinner is self-delusion and contrary to what is obvious. To say that I am condemned without the gospel leaves with without hope.

The church and the sacraments

Luther was not an individualist nor was he a rationalist. His theology was not that of an individual in direct communion with God, but rather of a Christian life to be lived within a community of believers, and this community he frequently called “mother church.”

“Reason is the Devil’s greatest whore; by nature and manner of being she is a noxious whore; she is a prostitute, the Devil’s appointed whore; whore eaten by scab and leprosy who ought to be trodden under foot and destroyed, she and her wisdom … Throw dung in her face to make her ugly. She is and she ought to be drowned in baptism… She would deserve, the wretch, to be banished to the filthiest place in the house, to the closets.”

“Reason is the Devil’s greatest whore; by nature and manner of being she is a noxious whore; she is a prostitute, the Devil’s appointed whore; whore eaten by scab and leprosy who ought to be trodden under foot and destroyed, she and her wisdom … Throw dung in her face to make her ugly. She is and she ought to be drowned in baptism… She would deserve, the wretch, to be banished to the filthiest place in the house, to the closets.”

Luther continued to hold a high view of the sacraments, believing that the mystical presence of Christ was somehow in the elements.

The Two Kingdoms

The law rules the state

The gospel rules the church

Civil authorities are to be obeyed whether they are Christians or not so long as the law does not require sin.

The church is not to set up Christian emperors in order to impose Christian principles on society.

How does individualism manifest itself in the church today?

How serious is the idea

Why is individualism such a threat to the core elements of Christian community and belief?

Why do you think Luther ranted against human reason with such passion and energy?

What are some ways that the church today attempts to impose its values and principles on society?

How does Luther’s views on the the Lord’s supper differ from the Catholics? From ours?