Semper Reformanda

Semper Reformanda

The Protestant Reformation is always remembered this time of year. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther pinned his 95 theses to the castle door at Wittenberg in order to initiate a scholarly conversation/debate about some issues that he had come to see in the church. Luther’s 95 theses would be taken, translated into German, and distributed without his knowledge. Other godly men like John Knox, William Tyndale, John Calvin, and others would play a part in fighting for Scripture. 

One of the phrases that came out of the Protestant Reformation is “Semper Reformanda,” meaning ‘always reforming’. The point is that the Church must always be reforming and conforming to Scripture. What Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, Knox, and others knew is that the best of men are men at best. We are all prone to wander. Without God’s help we will prop up traditions and idols in a hurry. This is why it is to the Scriptures we go. 

Standing firm on Scripture and opposing the traditions of men is not an easy task, nor is it for the faint of heart. Martin Luther was deemed a heretic by the Roman Catholic church. John Calvin was forced out of Geneva for several years because of his Protestant views. Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer were all burned at the stake for their protestant views. These men, and more, would not be swayed by anything other than a reasonable argument from the Scriptures. 

Tomorrow is the 31st (affectionately called Reformation Day). Knowing that we are the benefactors of the Reformation should lift our hearts heavenward. You and I live in a time where we can surround ourselves with faithful preaching of the Scriptures. We can have a Bible of our own that is in our native language. Attending a Protestant church does not make you an enemy of the state in our time. None of us, as far as I am aware, are in danger of being burned at the stake. Truly we have much to thank God for.

Beloved, as you consider the great blessings we have, let us praise God. To own a Bible is a great privilege; Let us not forsake such a great gift. Let us be saturated with the Bible. Let us stand upon the authority of God’s Word unwavering. Let us hold every practice and tradition to the clarifying light of Scripture. Let us stand upon the Word of God even if none will join us, for “a man with God is always in the majority.”

Grace be with you,
C. R. Hamilton