October 31

That’s right…it was on this day in 1517 that Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany and began the Protestant Reformation. As my professor pointed out this morning, I can trace my presence in Intro to Greek at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and my place in the community of Crossing Church directly back to Luther's action on this fateful day almost 500 years ago. I remember learning about this day at a very early age, and then embarrassing my parents by wishing a “happy reformation day” to our very Catholic neighbors. I meant well.

The Reformation was about many things, but the five solas perhaps best sum up the theological content of the reformation. They are a critical piece to understanding Protestant theology today, and still remain the standard by which orthodoxy in the Protestant sense is measured.

Sola Scriptura- "By Scripture Alone"
The Bible is the only inspired and authoritative word of God, and is the only source for Christian doctrine. It is accessible to all and does not require outside interpretation, but rather is the revealed Word of God to his people, the revelation of himself.

Sola Fide- "By Faith Alone"
We are saved through faith as a gift of God. There is no work we can do to earn the salvation that God freely extends to us, and a salvation built on works is no salvation at all. Our Justified status in Christ can only be received by faith.

Sola Gratia- "By Grace Alone"
Salvation is given by the unmerited favor of God. In other words, God acts to save out of his love and not our of any merit on our part. Salvation is an unearned gift given wholly by God to undeserving humanity.

Solus Christus- "Christ Alone"
Christ is the only mediator between God and man, and as such we come to the Father only through him. It is Christ who absolves the confessing believer of her sins and Christ as mediator means than anyone can approach and speak to God through him.

Soli Deo Gloria- "Glory to God Alone"
Glory is to be given to God alone for salvation and the accompanying good works, i.e., the fruit of justification. No person has accomplished their salvation nor any good work without the redeeming work of God in their lives, and therefore we do not given them glory, but God alone. As the Westminster Confession says, "Man's chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever."

I encourage you to meditate on these things today, and rejoice in the work that God has done and continues to do through these truths.

I’ll close with this- I carved this pumpkin. It was my first time, though I think I probably didn’t do too badly. Happy Reformation Day!