As I mentioned previously, I am studying the Protestant Reformation in seeking to get a fundamental understanding of the faith that I hold dear.
If you (like me) have been under the influence of a pulpit pimp, false teacher, or anyone who just didn’t teach biblical fundamentals, then I invite you to take a closer look at the Reformation. I am daily exchanging the heresy that I was fed for the true Word of God, and it is a liberating experience.
Denominations aside, a true study of the church’s break from Roman Catholicism will (prayerfully) give you the fundamental understanding of our God and His Son Jesus Christ – and our place in the overall picture.
People are falling away from the faith every day because they weren’t able to “become a better you”, and they got frustrated when they couldn’t direct God to move to and fro (as they were taught). It’s high time that we earnestly pursue God through Jesus Christ with no strings attached.
My UK colleague Alan Higgins over at Real Christianity has done a great job of simplifying the “5 Solas” of reformation so that anyone can understand them.
If you want to see a basic overview before you look for more detailed information, then click the following links below:
- “Soli Dio Gloria” – Glory To God Alone
- “Solus Christus” – Christ Alone
- “Sola Scriptura” – Scripture Alone
- “Sola Fide” – By Faith Alone
- “Sola Gratia” – Grace Alone
While I am studying the subject – I am not an official follower of Reformed Theology (…yet?).
I am, however, intrigued enough in my learning to see how close this theology is to the foundation of our faith – and how it’s easier to spot a pimp or false teacher using the solas and the Word of God as a criteria.
This blog only exists to help the sheep avoid false doctrine and false teachers by clearing using the Word of God as the standard. If this helps you avoid victimhood and guide others to the truth of God, then “solio Dio Gloria”.
Here’s a good write-up to check out: Calvinism, Arminianism, Biblicism.
Very good resource IC.
As I stated above, I’m not a “reformer” per se, but I’m intrigued enough to learn more about the foundation of our faith – especially since I sat dutifully under two bona fide pimps.
Where’s the HOLY SPIRIT?
Eagle,
Reformers cling to the Trinity, thus there is no elimination of the Holy Spirit from any discussion of reformed theology. Reformed theology is simply historically biblical theology, so there is no exclusion. Joe Holland over at the blog Mining Grace posted an excellent article referencing the Holy Spirit in the crux of reformed thought (my emphasis in bold):
I hope that answeres your question – thanks for stopping by.
The correct spelling is “Deo,” not “Dio” in “Soli Deo Gloria.” “Dio” as a Latin noun means open sky or air. I have asked Reformed friends to find the first substantiated usage of that term that predates Johann Sebastian Bach, who, by the way was Lutheran, not Reformed. To date I have not received a response. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide and Sola Scriptura are from the Reformation, i.e., the Evangelical Lutheran Church. This was later supplemented by “Solus Christus” (Christ alone) and “Sola Crux” (Cross Alone).
The whole notion of a “Protestant Reformation” that includes Luther and the Reformation Fathers such as Melachthon, Bugenhagen, Chemnitz, Selneccer, Amsdorf and the subject of my interest, Matthias Flacius Ilyricus, is historical revisionism notwithstanding its usage by the vast majority of historians. Just goes to prove the majority is often wrong. You can call the Anabaptist & Reformed movements collectively the Protestant Reformation, but for the sake of honesty, do not forget that Johannes Oecolampadius and Huldrych Zwingli departed from the Reformation Luther initiated following the Marburg Disputation and that Jean Cauvin (John Calvin), who was also a Lutheran, also did likewise. The basis for my protestation is theological rather than propietary. Gnesio, confessional Lutheran theology differs as much from Protestantism as it does from Roman Catholicism, but that is a topic for another day.
By the way, how many Protestant churches are going to ignore the fact that October 31 is Reformation Day, the 491st anniversary Luther’s posting the Disputation on the Efficacy of Indulgences (95 Theses) on the Wittenberg Schlosskirchehof door and sponsor a generic “harvest festival” instead?
thank you for your love of latin – my love as well.
nowdays latin seems to be a comical language. its antiquity over whelms us and we are embarrassed. the thing to do with it is make laconic remarks (mea culpa – ‘my fault’, carpe diem – ‘pluck of the day’, veni vidi vici – ‘i came, i saw i conqured’), or translate children’s classics (winnie ille pu, alicia in terra mirabili, harrius potter).
latin is often happy to be ridiculous. plautus’ twenty-one comedies from the third century BC are the first substantial set of text that have survived in it; and faced with current events, as juvenal pointed out in the second century AD, difficile est satvram non scribere ‘it is difficult not to write a satire’.
as far as your, correct spelling of “Deo,” not “Dio” in “Soli Deo Gloria” goes, (and you are correct) i offer this:
hoc illvd est parecipe in cognitone rervm salvbre ac frvgifervm, omnis te exempli docvmenta in inlvstri posita monvmento intveri; inde tibi tavaeqve rei pvblicae qvod imitere capias, inde foedvm inceptv foedvm exitv qvod vites.
( this is what is benfical and good for you in history, to be able to examine the record of every kind of event set down vividly. here you can find for yourself and your country examples to follow, and here too ugly enterprises with ugly outcomes to avoid.)
livy, ab urbe condita, perface
much love in Christ Jesus,
dr. jay