Protestant Reformation began on 31st October 1517 when Martin Luther wrote and posted his Ninety- Five Theses on the door of the All Saints’ Church at Wittenberg. Catholicism, the official religion of those times, labeled the people who raised their voices and challenged the evil traditions of the church, as Protestants. Luther and his fellowmen tried to teach the people that the selling of plenary indulgences by the church for the redemption of sins is flawed. Protestants tried to propagate that the teaching that salvation can be achieved only through the traditions of the church is amiss. Their viewpoints brought a lot of opposition from the church. But the oppositions didn’t have grounding in theology and so it did not hold for long. Protestant Reformation raged like a fire. It spread all over Europe, the United Nations of America and later to Asia. Following this, Renaissance and the progress of the missionaries occurred. Protestant Reformers had pointed out five truths. They are called the 5 Solas of Reformation. They are: Sola gratia- by grace alone, Sola fide – by faith alone, Sola scriptura- by scripture alone, SolusChristus- Christ alone and Soli DeoGloria- glory to God alone.

Many dissertations, books and publications were brought out describing each of these, theologically. Many incidents that followed this affected the Protestants both positively and negatively. But the church of God continued to grow fervently since it was impossible to object to these powerful and balanced thoughts. The five Solas that evolved on the basis of Martin Luther’s Ninety-Five Thesis became the five pillars of the church then. The thought that the foundation for everything is the grace of God impacted the hearts of many. It is through the grace that is freely given that a man becomes born again. It is to this grace that each one of us should surrender, for a Christian life is built by yielding to grace. Paul’s words, “By the grace of God I am what I am” gives impetus to this. Salvation can be received through dependence on grace. The righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, 3:21, Hebrews 10: 38, Galatians 3:11). The source of all blessings is faith. The conviction that it is not through religious rituals but only through faith can righteousness be attained, led Martin Luther to reformation. He declared that it is the written word that is to be believed. Protestant reformation’s basis is on the legitimacy of the written word of God. A significant teaching of reformation is that the church should return to the Word of God. Reformation calls to shed false teachings and empty religious rituals and to come back to the heart of the Word of God. In reformation, the status given to Christ is important. Jesus Christ died for us. Jesus Christ is our Saviour and not man. That is the call that SolusChristus gives. ‘We preach a Christ crucified’ was the standpoint of the Protestants. Protestant Reformation solicited to come to the teachings of Jesus and to look at Him alone. Because of it God alone receives praise. It is the kingdom of God that is to be built. God’s kingdom should come which is not worldly. It was a challenge to the Christian religion then . It was a notable thought then that God’s rule should abide. A multitude responded to this call and this eventually transformed to Protestant Reformation. While we take pride in the reformation that took place five hundred years ago, the global church today discusses the need for a new reformation for the reformed churches which due to various reasons have moved away from their visions and have gone cold spiritually.

God’s church is a society that is reformed and is continuously reforming. Every day the church is being reformed by the Word of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. There are records that state that whenever there has been a deterioration of the value of spirituality, the Israelites have been reformed through the prophets, kings and priests. Hezekiah, Josiah, Elisha and Samuel are all examples for this. God uses many means to reform and revive the church. ‘Revive’ is a counsel that is given repeatedly. We can think of this as a teaching for reformation. Revive and stop sinning (1 Corinthians 15:34). Revive in terms of time (Romans 13:11). Revive and stand against the devil and his strategies (1 Peter 5:8). Revive and strengthen what remains and is about to die ( Revelation 3: 2,3). Revive and discern false teachings (Acts 20: 30,31). Revive for the second coming of Jesus ( Matthew 24:42, 25:13, 26:38, 26:42). And thus the reformed church becomes the revived church.

1. Reformed Church is a Church that Gives (Deuteronomy 26: 1- 11)
The conclusion of this Bible portion that has been given to offer the first firstfruits to God is significant. “And you and the Levites and the aliens among you shall rejoice in all the good things the Lord your God has given to you and your household” (Deuteronomy 26: 11). We see here the self-satisfaction that transpires when we give to God. The reformed church should be a church that gives. For Bible teaches us that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” ( Acts 20: 35).

2. Reformed Church is a Church that Cares for Each Other (Acts 2: 43 – 47)
The first church that was filled with the Holy Spirit had members that cared for and shared with each other. They considered everything they had as common for all. They sold their possessions and goods. They gave for everyone according to their need. “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2: 46). The reformed church is a church that cares and shares.

3. Reformed Church, an Experience of the Kingdom of God ( Matthew 13: 33 -35)
In Matthew 13 Jesus tells seven parables about the Kingdom of God. A woman mixed a little yeast into a large amount of flour. The yeast fermented the whole dough. The state of being fermented and fermenting everything else is depicted here. The reformation that occurs in one person is transmitted to everybody else too. Therefore the whole church gets reformed. People who have experienced reformation become the salt of the earth, the light of the world and the yeast that influence the whole society. It should cause the cold spiritual lives to be ignited and the return of the church to the initial visions and aims. And thus the church should be prepared as the bride for the second coming of Christ for the church belongs to God. The Greek word kuriakon is written repeatedly in the Bible to denote the church of God. Kuriakon means ‘belonging to the Lord’. The word Ecclesia (Greek) is also used in many places. In Hebrew it is translated as Qahal. The word connotes a group summoned for a specific purpose. We can say that the church is a particular group of God called out for a specific purpose. If so, the church should return to its goal is the message that new reformation furnishes.

Collect : God of justice, who has compassion over all you have created, we thank you for the wisdom you have granted to our fore parents to re-discover the path to salvation and true Christian witness. We beseech you, O God, to challenge our shortsightedness and misconceptions of your saving grace and transform us to become reformed agents of love and peace in this world, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you. Amen.

Translation : Neena Kishor, Ph.D Scholar, Department of English, University of Kerala

Quotes

Those who determine not to put self to death will never see the will of God fulfilled in their lives. Those who ought to become the light of the world must necessarily burn and become less and less. By denying self, we are able to win others – Sadhu Sundar Singh

And self-sacrifice is what the Bible means by ‘love’. While sin is possessive, love is expansive. Sin’s characteristic is the desire to get; love’s characteristic is the desire to give.– John R.W. Stott