Reformation Day

The Lutheran Reformation was never about Luther. The Lutheran Church of today—if it is to be truly Lutheran—cannot be about Luther. It is and always has been (and must remain) about Christ. It’s about the purity of the Gospel. It’s about the assurance that Christ came to save sinners, and that through His cross forgiveness and life are ours. We preach Christ crucified, not emotion or decision or human tradition. It’s all about Jesus—about His cross and resurrection for your salvation.

When Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-five Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg five-hundred and four years ago today, he was chiefly protesting the monetization of forgiveness, the sale of indulgences. But it wouldn’t take long for Luther himself to realize that the true issue was something far greater than petty corruption and the abuse of power. Indulgences may have been the spark that ignited the flame of reformation, but it soon became clear to Luther and his fellow reformers that the very gospel of Jesus was at stake.

The Roman Church claimed to have the authority of long-standing tradition. “We have apostolic succession. We have canon law. We have decrees, and ordinances, and councils. We have popes, cardinals, and bishops, not to mention vast wealth, treasures, and glorious cathedrals. We even have kings, emperors, and armies, should it come to that.”

And what did the the Reformers have? Luther would write, not long after this date, “The true treasure of the church is the most holy gospel of the glory and grace of God.” The Evangelical Catholics, as they called themselves, or the Lutherans, as they were called by others, did not have vast wealth, soldiers, or power. But they had recovered the saving gospel, and so they rightly laid claim to the title of the true church on earth, that is the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church of Christ.

Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples” (Jn 8:31). He said those words to the Jews who had once believed in Him, but had now become offended by his words. “We are the seed of Abraham,” they countered. In other words, “Our lineage makes us the true church.” Many Christians might claim the same thing today, “I am a Christian because I have been a member of this congregation for 60 years, as were my parents and grandparents before me.” But being a member of a human organization does not make you a Christian. “You are my disciples,” Jesus says, “if you abide in my word.”

The Roman Church also appealed to their lineage. “We sit in the chair of St. Peter. We are the true church because we have apostolic succession.” But what is it that was passed on from the apostles? A hat? A chair? A title? These things do not make the true church. Once again Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.” This is the foundation of the true church. This is the tradition that the apostles handed over to the next generation of believers, and was eventually passed on to us: the word of Jesus. The church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone” (Eph 2:20)

Today, there are many, many people who go by the name “Lutheran,” yet they deny the authority of God’s Word. “Only seven of St. Paul’s fourteen letters are genuine. The Creation account is not factual; it’s mythological. The miracles of the Bible did not happen as written. The Scriptures contain errors because they were revised and edited by men.” And yet these so-called Christians claim to be following in the footsteps of Martin Luther. “Yes,” they say, “We are children of the Reformation.” But Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples.”

Jesus’ word is his doctrine, his teaching. If, and only if, we love his words, then we are his disciples. If we regard his doctrine as our chief treasure then we are the true church on earth. If we cling to the teaching of Jesus, as it was written and handed down to us by the apostles, then we may call ourselves children of the Reformation. But if we lose the word of Jesus, as the Jews did, as the Roman church has, and as most groups who call themselves Lutherans today have, then we have lost the true gospel and have ceased to be the church.

There are many human organizations across the country that do wonderful things for the poor, non-profits that accomplish many good things in society. But do not confuse these with the church. Do not confuse social care with the gospel. The true church is found only where the words of Jesus are taught in truth and purity and the sacraments rightly administered. These are our chief treasures. Everything else we can give up if necessary: our tax-exempt status, our buildings, even our lives. But as long as we cling to the word of Jesus, we cannot lose, we cannot fail, we cannot be overpowered.

On the other hand, should we abandon our trust in God’s Word, should we exchange the true gospel that calls sinners to repentance and faith in Christ for something more acceptable to this world, should we abandon the cornerstone of our faith, then we have lost everything—even though the world will not cease to praise and shower favor upon us.

Why is is that everything depends on holding fast to the truth of Jesus’ words? Because only these words can deliver sinners from bondage to sin and death. Jesus says, “If you abide in my word, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (Jn 8:32). Many people are fond of talking as though different truths exist for different people: “You have your truth, but I have my truth.” No. There is only one Truth, and His name is the Word of God. If we remain faithful to Him, then His Word delivers us from slavery to sin. If we follow Jesus, the Way to the Father is opened to us. If we hear His voice, then we are in the Truth. If we abide in Christ, then we have Life eternal.

In summary, the Reformation was not about resisting authority, breaking free from tyranny, or any of the other false narratives that historians often try to impose upon it. The Reformation, simply put, was about returning to the words of Christ. The Reformers stripped away layers of man-made teachings until they returned at last to the pure doctrine of Christ. Apart from Him, we have no life, no future, no forgiveness. Apart from His Word, we are no church at all and easy prey for the devil and his minions. But the Church that is built upon the foundation of Christ and his Word can never be shaken. In Jesus alone our victory is assured. May God keep us in Christ Jesus, holding fast, as true children of the Reformation, as true disciples of Christ, to His saving Word. This is our life and salvation. Amen.