The Protestant Reformation: Blest be the tie that binds?

The end of this month marks the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation.

The key figure in the epic event was Martin Luther. Here’s some history. Committed to the idea that salvation could be reached through faith and by divine grace only, Luther vigorously objected to the corrupt practice of selling indulgences. Acting on this belief, he wrote the “Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences,” also known as “The 95 Theses,” a list of questions and propositions for debate. Popular legend has it that on Oct. 31, 1517, Luther defiantly nailed a copy of his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. The reality was probably not so dramatic; Luther more likely hung the document on the door of the church matter-of-factly to announce the ensuing academic discussion around it that he was organizing.

The 95 Theses, which would later become the foundation of the Protestant Reformation, were written in a remarkably humble and academic tone, questioning rather than accusing. The overall thrust of the document was nonetheless quite provocative. The first two of the theses contained Luther’s central idea, that God intended believers to seek repentance and that faith alone, and not deeds, would lead to salvation. The other 93 theses, a number of them directly criticizing the practice of indulgences, supported these first two.” (The History Channel online)

When I was growing up in the 1950s and 1960s, it was a big deal for Catholics and Protestants to worship together in the same building for an annual ecumenical worship service. Nowadays, it is far more common, but sadly we’re still divided in so many ways — even with those who share a clear devotion to the biblical Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why is it the Christian community seems so divided and out of fellowship with one another? At a recent pastor’s retreat, I gained some insight.

Christian churches need to do a better job of giving the sheep all the food needed to be spiritually healthy. God’s Word alone provides the sustenance we need to grow into healthy and spiritually maturing people whose character increasingly reflects the life of Christ Jesus. If our churches are excluding those parts of scripture that require diligent “chewing for digestion” and instead are consistently presenting the processed and more palatable portions, we’ll not be raising mature believers. And for lack of proper nutrition, the church will be identified by and led by spiritual babies.

Churches can’t be afraid to embrace the true fellowship of the Christian gospel and the freedom each believer and congregation has in Christ. It seems churches compete for attendees by branding and self-promotion, putting others down in order to promote themselves. In addition, we sometimes let our church’s preferences and practices rise to the level of doctrine or dogma as we believe ourselves to be the better church. In effect, we put ourselves and our people under a new kind of bondage as well as create division over things that even God’s Word considers non-essential for salvation and Christian living. We really cannot blame outside instigators for our lack of unity, we’re part of it and even possess the self-serving motivation to sustain it.

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, how about a fresh dialogue concerning the essentials of Christian faith that come from the Word of God? How about an effort to bring the focus of our churches on those ties that bind us together in Christian faith and love?

Consider this a friendly knock on your door for dialogue. I assumed you’d prefer that to me nailing something to it.

Mark Voll is pastor of the Village Bible Evangelical Free Church. The opinions expressed are those of the author.