October 31
Happy Reformation Day!
Today—October 31st—is Halloween. Probably no big surprise there! In general, people celebrate by dressing up in costumes, decorating with spooky themes, and eating/giving away candy. You probably know there’s a lot of pagan roots to this holiday that over the last couple hundred years kind of got mixed with other things and commercialized into the current American traditions, but did you know there’s also a religious significance to today? It’s All Hallows’ Eve, the feast day that has celebrated saints since 835 A.D.
On top of that, for Protestant Christians, today is known as Reformation Day.
Recently, I taught at my own church about what the Protestant church celebrates and remembers on this day
…Specifically, how a monk named Martin Luther kicked off the Protestant reformation — For a dramatic "Michael Bay" interpretation of this, watch the first few minutes of the video linked below — by taking a stand that the Christian Church should reform its ways and come back to theology and practice based on the Bible. Luther and many other reformers gave their entire lives (some even being put to death and torture) because they were convinced that what they read in scripture was more important than the traditions of the church.
The essential points of the reformation are distilled down into something now known as "The 5 Solas"
The 5 Solas:
Sola Scriptura - With SCRIPTURE ALONE as our guide...
Sola Fide - We are saved by FAITH ALONE...
Sola Gratia - By GRACE ALONE...
Solus Christus - On the basis of CHRIST ALONE...
Soli Deo Gloria - To the GLORY OF GOD ALONE!
I actually preached on this a few weeks ago, where I explained why these phrases are in Latin and kicked off a 5-week series where our church Calvary Baptist Church Smithville dove into the meaning of these. Many others are deeper experts or better communicators than I am, but if you'd like to hear my quick run through of Church history and the biblical basis of the reformation watch below:
Quick note to my Catholic friends
— I said this from the pulpit, but want to communicate here that I have a sincerely love for my friends who attend Catholic churches, and know with a full heart that many Catholics are brothers & sisters in Christ.
Important thought: Martin Luther never wanted to leave the Catholic church or start anything new. He wanted to call it back to the words of Jesus, the object and perfector of the Christian faith, and the guidance of the Holy Bible.
Semper Reformanda
“Always Reforming” — At Summit we believe leaders are always being formed & reformed. Gaining perspective on our IDENTITY & COMMUNITY, much of which comes from our core beliefs and faith, and being willing to challenge it with new ideas, through the lens of objective truth, is absolutely a core skill.
This message was a challenge to prepare & communicate. I hope it blesses you on this happy Reformation Day!
- Bryan Turner
Exec Director, Summit Outdoor Leadership
