During the Reformation, Catholics and Protestants were opposed on several fundamental issues regarding the Christian faith. These disagreements led to one of the most sweeping changes to occur within Christianity since Constantine. The two sides differed significantly in their understanding and interpretation of the Scripture, and of the Christian life. The main points of contention were regarding the understanding of the concepts of Sola Gratia (grace alone), Sola Fide (faith alone), and Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone). The struggle between the Protestant and Catholic understandings of these matters split the church and redirected Christianity forever.
Corruption and division within the Papacy, poor economic conditions, persecution, and scientific advances all contributed to growing pressure for reform within the Church. Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin, were called the Magisterial Reformers because they had the support of the magistrates or ruling authorities. These reformers provided a scriptural and theological basis for the transformation. The Radical Reformers, such as the Anabaptists, generally agreed with the Magisterial Reformers but did not elect to work with the state and were thus considered subversive. Because conditions were ready for reform, the teachings of the reformers perspective regarding the three “solas” spread rapidly across Europe. The concepts of Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, and Sola Gratia began in Germany with Martian Luther during the early part of the sixteenth century. Luther understood Sola Scriptura, or Scripture alone, to mean more than only the Bible, but also the Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself. The Word of God was the final authority and starting point for theology. This meant not only that the Bible is infallible, but that through it, the Word, Jesus, comes to us. If one reads the Bible and does not find Jesus, he or she did not meet the Word. It also meant that the message of Christ in the Gospel is where authority lies. Jesus Christ had authored the Bible and built the Church, not the Catholic authorities. Therefore, anything that contradicts Christ’s message is in error. In describing Luther’s position, Justo González (2010) writes, “Since Scripture gives a more trustworthy witness to that gospel than the pope’s corrupt church, or even the best in Christian tradition, the Bible has authority over church, pope, and tradition” (p. 48). …show more content…
Additionally, even before the New Testament was written, Christians had known what to believe based on traditions passed down by word of mouth from the apostles. Many customs that had been practiced by the church, they believed, went back to New Testament times, even though such practices were not referenced in the Bible. Therefore, rather than Scripture alone, Catholics believed Scripture and tradition equally gave the Church final authority.
Sola Fide, faith alone, and Sola Gratia, grace alone, were also central to Luther’s understanding of the Gospel. Luther believed that God gives righteousness to those who live by faith—not because they have earned righteousness by their works, but by God’s grace as a gift from God. Sinners are declared righteous because they trust God to save them; righteousness is imputed to the believer. This does not mean that sin is now absent from the believers life, rather they are justified by God’s work alone and are free to live in
Corruption and division within the Papacy, poor economic conditions, persecution, and scientific advances all contributed to growing pressure for reform within the Church. Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, and John Calvin, were called the Magisterial Reformers because they had the support of the magistrates or ruling authorities. These reformers provided a scriptural and theological basis for the transformation. The Radical Reformers, such as the Anabaptists, generally agreed with the Magisterial Reformers but did not elect to work with the state and were thus considered subversive. Because conditions were ready for reform, the teachings of the reformers perspective regarding the three “solas” spread rapidly across Europe. The concepts of Sola Scriptura, Sola Fide, and Sola Gratia began in Germany with Martian Luther during the early part of the sixteenth century. Luther understood Sola Scriptura, or Scripture alone, to mean more than only the Bible, but also the Word of God, Jesus Christ Himself. The Word of God was the final authority and starting point for theology. This meant not only that the Bible is infallible, but that through it, the Word, Jesus, comes to us. If one reads the Bible and does not find Jesus, he or she did not meet the Word. It also meant that the message of Christ in the Gospel is where authority lies. Jesus Christ had authored the Bible and built the Church, not the Catholic authorities. Therefore, anything that contradicts Christ’s message is in error. In describing Luther’s position, Justo González (2010) writes, “Since Scripture gives a more trustworthy witness to that gospel than the pope’s corrupt church, or even the best in Christian tradition, the Bible has authority over church, pope, and tradition” (p. 48). …show more content…
Additionally, even before the New Testament was written, Christians had known what to believe based on traditions passed down by word of mouth from the apostles. Many customs that had been practiced by the church, they believed, went back to New Testament times, even though such practices were not referenced in the Bible. Therefore, rather than Scripture alone, Catholics believed Scripture and tradition equally gave the Church final authority.
Sola Fide, faith alone, and Sola Gratia, grace alone, were also central to Luther’s understanding of the Gospel. Luther believed that God gives righteousness to those who live by faith—not because they have earned righteousness by their works, but by God’s grace as a gift from God. Sinners are declared righteous because they trust God to save them; righteousness is imputed to the believer. This does not mean that sin is now absent from the believers life, rather they are justified by God’s work alone and are free to live in