The Other Reformation

Today is the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

It is widely held, that on this day in 1517, German monk Martin Luther nailed his "Disputation on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences" to the door of the Schlosskirche (Castle Church) in Wittenberg, Germany.  Better know as the Ninety-Five Theses, this document was in essence, a series of questions and assertions intended for debate.  They were centered around two key affirmations:  a) the source of our authority is the Bible, and not the church or the Pope; b) the source of our salvation is Christ and Christ alone, attained through faith, and not our works.  

Given that the Catholic Church affirmed the polar opposite of Luther's assertions, actively selling indulgences (a 'get out of Purgatory card') as a way to absolve sin and go to heaven, Luther's declarations were electric, spreading like 'wild-fire.'  

The result:  the birth of the Protestant Church, developed on five foundational principals:

• 1) Sola Scriptura -- scripture alone; 

• 2) Sola Fide -- faith alone; 

• 3) Sola Gratia -- grace alone; 

• 4) Sola Christus -- Christ alone;   

• 5) Soli Deo Gloria -- to glory to God and God alone.   

(please note:  though these five summary statements emerged out of the thought of  the Reformation, they were not organized into a succinct statement until the early 20th century.  Nevertheless, they are widely regarded as an accurate summary of the driving themes of the Protestant Reformation).

The details and drama of the Reformation is worthy of its own blog post.  But given that there are lots of blog posts, and resources, expanding on the Reformation's impact (for a fun, but accurate 'ride through the Reformation,' see the Rick Steves video that follows: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXK9NNp1yk4) I thought I would go an unpredictable route, reminding us of the other Reformation -- the Counter or Radical Reformation.

For there were other reformers, beyond Martin Luther and the Protestant reformers, who thought the Protestant Reformation did not go far enough.

These other or radical reformers didn't reject the five solas, but added, in essence, a sixth:  Sola Deo Modus Vivendi (a phrase of my own invention) -- God's way of living, alone. For though the Protestant formers reformed Christian theology -- they largely ignored Christian praxis.

And so the radical reformers put a new emphasis on Christian praxis, wrapping their movement around four themes:  

• 1) Believers Baptism.  Bonding with Jesus is a personal, adult decision.  We must intentionally choose Christ and His newness of life; 

• 2) Discipleship.  Christianity is not just a matter of life after death, but life after birth.  We are saved by Jesus to walk with Jesus in newness of life, now and forever; 

• 3) Called-Out Community.  The church is not wed to any person or nation-state.  The church is an ekklesia, a called out and separate people; 

• 4) Love and Nonresistance.   Those who embrace Jesus do not embrace violence, in any form.  Rather, Christ-followers choose the path of non-violence, modeling another way of resolving conflict.  (adapted:  Harold Bender:  The Anabaptist Vision -- https://www.goshen.edu/mhl/Refocusing/d-av.htm)  

The Reformation Reformers did not advance these emphasizes.  Thus, in spite of a boat-load of change, the church still majored in a) getting a sacrament, not forming a personal rapport with God -- b) getting to heaven, not living a new life -- c) getting along (with politicians) not obeying the Divine, as Lord, supremely -- d) getting even, not adopting the non-violent way of Jesus. 

Now in fairness to the Reformation Reformers, you can only change so much, at the same time.  But you should, at least, be open to additional reformation, if you're in the reformation 'business' yourself.

But Reformation Reformers weren't open to additional reformation.  On the contrary, they persecuted the Radical Reformation Reformers -- to the point of death.  

The persecution and killing of Anabaptists (meaning re-baptizers), leaders in the Radical Reformation, is 'exhibit A.'  John Horsch, recounts the atrocity, in his book, Mennonites In Europe:

"...Roman Catholicism had always taken an attitude of intolerance and persecution toward all dissenters from its creed. On the contrary, the principal leaders in the Reformation movement, Luther and Zwingli, in the first period of their reformatory labors, condemned Romish intolerance. [And so they became intolerant persecuting the Anabaptists]...It is a fact recognized by many...that the persecution of the Anabaptists surpassed in severity the persecution of the early Christians by pagan Rome!...Anabaptism [e.g. rebaptism by immersion] was made a capital crime. Prices were set on the heads of Anabaptists...[Thus] thousands sealed their faith with their blood..."  https://www.gracegems.org/C/persecution_of_the_anabaptists.htm

Now, the Anabaptists were far from saints, employing violence, in their attempt to redefine the town of Munster, as the New Jerusalem, in anticipation of the return of Jesus. http://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2072678_2072683_2072746,00.html. 

But nevertheless, their witness must be noted, as they bore witness, often at great sacrifice of life -- that the Reformation is far from over.  Not a bad theme for the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation:  the Reformation is far from over.

A few suggestions for continuing the Reformation:

• 1.) Resolve To Be A 5/4 Church.  Affirm both the 5 Solas of the Reformation and the 4 Praxes of the Radical Reformation.  Chart what Myron Augsburger calls 'a third way' between left-wing liberalism and right-wing conservatism -- proclaiming a holistic Gospel, based on Jesus' own example, as Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom or Reign of God -- over all. 

• 2.) Put The Accent Mark On Grace, Always Grace.  There is a rise of a new legalism in the Church today, that's justified because of a misreading of the great Reformers, the Puritans and others historic church leaders, who appeared strict and doctrinaire.  But a careful reading of even 'marque' leaders like John Calvin, uncovers latitude and grace: "...In the maxims of the law, God is seen as the rewarder of perfect righteousness and the avenger of sin." Calvin writes, "But in Christ, His face shines out, full of grace and gentleness to poor, unworthy sinners..."  

•  3.)  Never Falter In Advancing:  In Christ, There is No Male or Female.  Yet, another trend in the church today is a rise of sexism, blatant sexism, that doesn't recognize that there is no preamble to any listing of the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the New Testament, limiting some only to men.  On the contrary, gifts are given to all, empowering women to lead, equal to men.  In that regard, the recent selection of Heather Larson as the Senior Pastor of Willow Creek Community Church is a reformational move, boldly proclaiming, that women are called to even the most prominent and influential platforms in the church today.  

• 4. ) Live-out:  A Primary Emphasis For The Church is Peace and Non-Violence.     It is time for the church to view the Cross as not only a sign of redemption and forgiveness, but also, non-violence. Of course, the Cross is a bloody, horrific, violent event. But the Cross does not perpetuate violence, as a final word. Rather, the final word from the Cross is non-violence, as Jesus does not return evil for evil.  Why, Jesus could have called down the armies of heaven, but rather, Jesus defeats evil through a sacrificial, surprising means. One of the classic stories of the Radical Reformation is of Dirk Willems, an earlyAnabaptist, rebaptized as an adult.  Hounded by the authorities, Dirk ran across a frozen pond, only to have his pursuer fall through the ice into the freezing water.  But then, amazingly, Dirk went back to the drowning officer and dragged him to safety.  The officer wanted to release Dirk, but his superior would not relent, as Dirk was then arrested and subsequently tortured and killed. But Dirk Willem's witness is recounted to this day, as persons marvel at a faith that not only believes but behaves.

On this 500th anniversary of the Reformation, I pray we also marvel at a faith that not only believes but behaves.  That happens as we remember not just the Reformation, but the Radical Reformation, as it reminds us to not only get our theology right, but our lives 'in line' with the full stature of Jesus.

And so, yes, let's celebrate the 5 Solas of the Reformation, this Reformation Day.  But also the 4 Praxes of the Radical Reformation.  Redoubling our commitment not just to better theology -- but better lives -- changed by the Theos, God Himself.