Remember the Reformation

 

 

            Tensions are high. For Americans, one of the most highly volatile elections of our time is quickly approaching. For Christian’s, there remains a significant amount of uncertainty concerning the future of the American church and of our religious freedom. For many of us, it has become increasingly difficult to decide where we stand as both political parties seem to drift further and further from basic Christian principles, begging the question, “how should we interact with politics in a secular society?”

            As we approach the celebration of the protestant reformation on Saturday, there are, I think, a number of similarities that are worth our consideration as we ask ourselves how we should interact with a politically dominant culture. While there are notable differences between 1517 and 2020, there are a surprising number of similarities. In 1517, the state was dominated by the Roman church. The state’s “morality” was determined by the Church’s morality. To be outside of the Church was to be an outcast in society – an immoral person. A brief glance at today’s political climate reveals an extraordinarily similar pattern. While the church does not control the state, the state does determine “morality.” To disagree is to be an outcast. If you do not support those things deemed admirable you are nothing less than a bigoted, homophobic racist. Similarly, despite morality being a topic of conversation, neither the Roman church nor the politicians of present-day America are moral. Rather, the powers that be use “morality” to push their agenda.

            At the risk of sounding overly pessimistic, it seems rather unlikely that things will improve in the near future. In light of that, I would propose a return to those basic principles of the reformation as summarized in the five solas. While the reformed church has by no means abandoned these doctrines, we have, I believe, failed to apply them to the church as she interacts with a secular world. First, let us return to sola scriptura. Even as the reformers looked to the scriptures as a source for wisdom and knowledge concerning life, the church, and the world around them, so too ought we look to the Scriptures, trusting in their sufficiency to inform every aspect of our lives. While we must acknowledge that Christian’s take different views of how government ought to function, we must all base those views on the word of God alone. The moment we depart from that, we will begin to fail in our calling as followers of Christ.

            Second, let us rely upon sola fide. We are saved by faith alone. We need not rely upon our works for salvation. On the contrary, our faith, as James reminds us, leads to good works in the world around us. If we love Christ as we ought, trusting him in faith, then our works will reflect that. This is incredibly significant in a world that says we must support X, say Y, do Z in order to be a good person. The only good person is the one justified by their faith in Christ. Remember that.

            Third. We must remember sola gratia. Far too often, we forget to offer grace to those who are in a lost and dying world. We have been given the highest form of grace, having received the fullness of the riches of Christ. Thus, we must give grace to one another and to those outside the church. Personally, I find this far more difficult to do over the internet. Rather than staring into the face of another person, I find myself looking at mere words on a screen. Consequently, it is far easier to respond in an unloving and ungodly manner. However, Christian’s must resist this urge and instead respond with grace, even as we too have been given grace.

            Fourth, we must rest in solus Christus. If our hope is in anything or anyone other than Christ, we will be disappointed. There can be no salvation, no grace, no glory, and no faith outside of Christ and him alone. We don’t hope in princes or rulers. We don’t hope in politics or in the state. We hope in Christ alone. When we place our hope in Christ alone, and only then, do we find rest.

            Finally, we must proclaim soli deo Gloria. Simply put, our purpose and goal in life is to give glory to God alone. We do this through the proclamation of the gospel to the lost, through the praise of his name in congregational worship, and through active obedience to his word. Our very lives must be consumed with this. If we do not, in every moment, seek the glory of God, what then is our purpose?

            These are difficult times indeed. An unprecedented global pandemic, a horrifying election, jobs lost, churches struggling, and destructive riots are all reasons for concern. What will your response be? We can either rest in the truth of the Scripture and the hope of Salvation, or we can live in constant fear and anxiety. At the end of the day, remember the reformers – Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Phillip Melancthon, John Knox, and many others – men and women of faith who stood firm, despite the hostile culture. May we always stand firm.