October 31 is called Reformation Day, commemorating an important event in church history. It was this day in 1517 that Martin Luther distributed his famous “95 theses” which confronted the Roman Catholic Church on its extra-biblical traditions, sale of “indulgences,” the concept of papal supremacy, the role of sacraments, the Catholic doctrine of salvation-by-works, and other perceived blasphemies.
Luther’s letter led to a breakaway from the Roman Catholic Church and the formation of the first Protestant denominations. It was then, for the first time, that scripture was translated into German, Luther’s native language. Protestant reformers agreed that Christianity needed to return to the scripture as a source of truth, not traditions invented by men claiming infallibility.
The reformers came to an agreement on a set of principles known as the “Five Solas.” In summary, salvation comes from God’s grace alone (“sola gratia”), by our faith alone (“sola fide”), in Christ alone (“solus Christus”), for the glory of God alone (“soli Deo gloria”), found in the words of scripture alone (“sola scriptura”).
The Roman Catholics reacted by excommunicating the so-called “heretics” and convened the Council of Trent. There, they reaffirmed their official beliefs: that all non-Catholics are accursed! They produced a long list of canons and decrees which condemned people for differing from the Roman Catholic monopoly on Christianity. Among the condemned:
Point-by-point, all these viewpoints (and more) were anathematized, damned to destruction, and remain that way to this day.
To say the least it is an interesting piece of church history and a gives us a good opportunity to reflect on where our true doctrine comes from.
Luther’s letter led to a breakaway from the Roman Catholic Church and the formation of the first Protestant denominations. It was then, for the first time, that scripture was translated into German, Luther’s native language. Protestant reformers agreed that Christianity needed to return to the scripture as a source of truth, not traditions invented by men claiming infallibility.
The reformers came to an agreement on a set of principles known as the “Five Solas.” In summary, salvation comes from God’s grace alone (“sola gratia”), by our faith alone (“sola fide”), in Christ alone (“solus Christus”), for the glory of God alone (“soli Deo gloria”), found in the words of scripture alone (“sola scriptura”).
The Roman Catholics reacted by excommunicating the so-called “heretics” and convened the Council of Trent. There, they reaffirmed their official beliefs: that all non-Catholics are accursed! They produced a long list of canons and decrees which condemned people for differing from the Roman Catholic monopoly on Christianity. Among the condemned:
- anyone who believes in salvation by faith alone
- anyone who doubts the existence of Purgatory
- anyone who writes any unauthorized literature on any religious topic
- anyone who questions the Catholic use of sacred icons and imagery
- anyone who doubts the practice of infant baptism
- anyone who questions the 7 official Catholic sacraments
- anyone who questions the priesthood
- anyone who thinks that sacraments are not necessary to receive God’s grace
- anyone who questions the perpetual sacrifice of Jesus during every Catholic mass
- anyone who thinks mass should be performed in a language familiar to the people
- anyone who questions the profitable market of selling indulgences
Point-by-point, all these viewpoints (and more) were anathematized, damned to destruction, and remain that way to this day.
To say the least it is an interesting piece of church history and a gives us a good opportunity to reflect on where our true doctrine comes from.
