Church History <-> Oct 31

October 31 is the anniversary of a very

important date in history.

Dive into…

History of Luther and the Reformation

Romans 1:17 (NKJV)

For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

FAITH ALONESola Fide - justification by

faith alone,

Sola Scriptura - the idea that the Scriptures are the only authority for sinful man in seeking salvation

Indulgence Letter

What Happened?Archbishop Albert of BrandenburgDominican monk, John Tetzel - as

the indulgence preacherTetzel’s slogan: “As soon as the

coin in the coffer rings, the soul into heaven springs.”

#27 of 95 Theses“Those who assert that a soul straightway flies out of purgatory as a coin tinkles in the collection box, are preaching an invention of man.”

#32 of 95 Theses“Those who think themselves sure of salvation through their letters of pardon, will be damned forever with their teachers."

Diet of Worms, 1521

“My conscience is captive to the Word of God . . . Here I stand, I can do no other."

Erasmus vs. Luther

Erasmus - Europe’s most famous philosopher

The issue? Do we have free will?

Free Will DebateErasmus published a Diatribe on Free Will (1524).

Luther replied with Bondage of the Will (1525).

Luther believed…that man has the power of choice, but that the will of man was not free.

Romans 6:20-21• For when you were slaves of

sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

• What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

Man’s Sinful WillLuther believed that after the fall,

man's will was a selfish sinful will. Man could choose - he was uncoerced, but man fallen had no desire for anything except the evil, and as long as he is inclined only to evil, he chooses only evil.

John 3:19-20• "And this is the condemnation, that

the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

• "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Duty vs. AbilityLuther taught that you have a

duty to return to God, but you do not have the ability. RESPONSIBILITY DOES NOT IMPLY ABILITY

John 12:36• "While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light." These things Jesus spoke, and departed, and was hidden from them.

John 12:37-39But although He had done so many signs

before them, they did not believe in Him,

that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke: "Lord, who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?”

Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

"He has blinded their eyes …

John 3:3

• Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN, HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD."

1 Corinthians 2:14

• But THE NATURAL MAN DOES NOT RECEIVE THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

John 6:44• John 6:44 (NKJV) "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 18:10

• Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew [helkuo] it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.

Acts 16:19

Acts 16:19 (NKJV) But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged [helkuo] them into the marketplace to the authorities.

Romans 5:12

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned;

Jeremiah 17:9

"The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?”

Ezekiel 36:26"I will give you a new heart

and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”