Luther and the Reformation

Protestants around the world today celebrate their distinction from the Roman Catholic Church proudly and regularly. Yet, how many actually know the history behind their separation? The old adage "you can't know where you are going until you know from where you came" may not ring true in every situation, but the sorrowful state of biblical orthodoxy in Protestant churches today demonstrates the value of this old proverb. The events culminating in the Reformation of the sixteenth century occurred in response to the dilapidated treatment and understanding of God's Word extant in the Roman Catholic Church. In the first lecture of this series, Dr. Sproul introduces the man who challenged the errant status quo and sparked a flame of change that still burns today: Martin Luther.

The word "holy" gets bandied about often in contemporary culture. Some apply the term to archaic or sacred ideas or items from past civilizations, while others combine it with a noun for use as an impromptu expression of fear or wonder. Unfortunately, the flippant use of this modifier fails to appreciate the proper use of the expression. It is only for the true, living God, and by extension those people and things He hallows. These are holy. Martin Luther grasped this principle astutely. In this lesson, Dr. Sproul expounds on Luther's inability to reconcile his guilt with the holiness of God through the Roman church's traditions and practices.

The individualistic, global societies created and propelled by sin operate under the assumption that the fortunes and failures of life result strictly from the decisions and actions of the individual. Human beings are autonomous creatures and independent entities unto themselves. Hence, the notion of imputed righteousness (the application of a foreign righteousness on another) struggles against the grain. Yet, the nature of reality foils this principle at every turn. In each stage of life, we experience the effects of others' actions on our lives in permanent and uncontrollable ways, just as we impose similar effects. In this lesson, Martin Luther comes face to face with the notion of imputed righteousness, a concept previously alien to him while under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church.

Sadly, the church, composed of sinful men and women, does not escape the infiltration of depravity, but it frequently suffers greatly from it. Corruption among officials, particularly high-ranking leaders, has serious ramifications both within and without the church's borders. Today's lesson demonstrates this truth poignantly, and the selling of indulgences and church offices to feed the treasury of the Roman Catholic Church epitomizes the venality that can exist in the heart of men. Nonetheless, Christians possess hope, for God promises to maintain His Spirit among the true members of the invisible church, the body of men and women that participate in the visible church but that truly belong to the Father on account of the Son. This promise will find sure proof in the protests of Martin Luther and his adherents.

Theological disputation occurs frequently within the confines of the church. At times, differences among brothers and sisters in Christ lead to divisive splits and even animosity, which generally burgeons on account of poor behavior and a less than gentle spirit. In today's lesson, we witness the watershed moment from which the Protestant Reformation would flow. Nonetheless, we see Martin Luther expressing his contention with the marketing techniques of Johannes Tetzel in a humble manner. Contrary to popular belief, Luther did not rail bombastically against the Roman church upon hearing about the selling of indulgences, but he desired to address the issue in the proper forum with reasonable decorum. Although the Lord had other ideas for Luther, we can learn a valuable lesson both from Luther's propriety and the historical events surrounding him.

Persecution has existed among the people of God since the beginning of time, most notably with the murder of Abel at the hands of his brother Cain. This suffering does not occur randomly or without reason, but men and women take stands for their God under His sovereign ordination and for His glory. Martin Luther faced trials of this nature many times during his monastic life, but it all came to a crescendo at the Diet of Worms. His response and faith in the face of opposition demonstrates the truth of God's assertion that He will never present before us a task to difficult or big for us to handle.

Many members of the Protestant church today do not understand properly their origins and the nature of their predecessors "protest" against the Roman Catholic Church. When asked about the respective differences, they may respond with some stereotypical answers such as, "I don't worship Mary," "I believe in justification by faith, not works," or "The bread and wine of the Lord's supper don't really turn into the body of Jesus." In this lesson, Dr. Sproul explains the real, serious points of doctrine at stake during Martin Luther's timeframe and the Reformation, paying careful attention to the doctrine of justification and its place in Roman Catholic thought.

Would it surprise you to learn that current Roman Catholic doctrine declares all Protestants accursed? Remarkably, if probed, most Protestants would respond in disbelief to this proposition. Yet, it holds true, and the Roman church maintains the same stance today as it took in the sixteenth century at the Council of Trent. The major area of dispute at the council regarded the doctrine of justification, notably the role of faith in it. A thorough, clear understanding of justification remains imperative for a proper understanding of the differences between historic Protestantism and Roman Catholicism, and Dr. Sproul provides this clarification in today's lesson.

Many people in contemporary culture shrink at the idea of double imputation inherent in the Protestant understanding of justification. That God would place others' sins on His own Son while simultaneously declaring the guilty righteous on account of the merit of Christ defies reason and creates a form of "cosmic child abuse," they say. Yet, this position demonstrates a serious flaw in reasoning, for the Father does not abuse His Son. On the contrary, our own wrongdoing rests upon Christ's shoulders at the cross, and He bears this burden willingly for the sake of His flock. Furthermore, a position against double imputation seriously underestimates the love of God for His children. As Dr. Sproul will show in this lesson, it is a love that delivers sinners from the place of despair, and brings them into salvation.

Secular culture and even some professing evangelicals often describe God as an all-forgiving, cuddly being intent on accepting all people from all walks of life into his ever-accepting arms. As such, it advocates freedom to act in whatever way feels right, for if God is a God of love, surely He will never discriminate. This picture misses the mark absolutely. On the contrary, the heavenly Lord of Hosts demands rigid moral discipline from His creation. Although God alone acts in the justification of His children, after they enter into a state of grace He requires that they cooperate and fulfill His mandates and laws. Dr. Sproul explores the consequences of entering into a state of grace by the process of justification in this final lesson on Luther and the Reformation.