Tag: reformedtheology

---

(The Great Falling Away, Part 9)

“For they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…”
— Romans 1:25, NASB1995

---

What Was Recovered… Is Being Replaced

The Reformation gave God’s people back what had been stolen:

• The Word of God in their language
• The freedom to approach God directly
• The assurance of salvation by grace through faith

But in recent decades, that truth has begun to fade—not by force, but by neglect, compromise, and distraction.

---

How Is the Modern Church Reversing the Reformation?

1. Scripture is No Longer Central (Sola Scriptura Reversed)

• Sermons are motivational, not expository
• Human wisdom is blended with theology
• The Bible is treated as optional—or reinterpreted to fit culture

2. Faith Becomes Performance (Sola Fide Reversed)

• Salvation is portrayed as try harder rather than trust Christ
• Obedience is confused with earning
• People question if they’re ever “doing enough”

3. Church Becomes Institution Again

• Mega structures and leadership hierarchies resemble Rome
• Spiritual authority is centralized
• Programs replace prayer and presence

4. Christ is Replaced by Systems (Solus Christus Reversed)

• Counseling replaces discipleship
• Strategy replaces the Spirit
• Pastors and theologians become mediators of truth

5. God’s Glory is Shared with Man (Soli Deo Gloria Reversed)

• Ministries are built around personalities
• Celebrity culture thrives in pulpits
• The applause of man is mistaken for the blessing of God

---

From Remnant to Routine

“Having a form of godliness, but denying its power…”
— 2 Timothy 3:5

We may use biblical language… but lack biblical substance.
We may sing of surrender… but live in self.
We may look alive… but be lukewarm.

---

The Call Remains: Come Out. Return. Remain.

“Hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
— Revelation 3:11

The Reformation must not be remembered—it must be revived.

---

Application for Today

• Is my life shaped by Scripture—or opinion?
• Do I live in faith—or performance?
• Am I following a system—or Christ?
• Do I want God’s glory—or man’s approval?

---

Revelation 18:4

“Come out of her, My people…”

---

(The Great Falling Away, Part 8)

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
— Psalm 119:105, NASB1995

---

A Flicker of Light in a World of Control

For centuries, the Word of God had been kept from the people. The Church governed with fear, tradition, and political power.
But God was not silent.

He raised up voices across Europe—men who dared to challenge religious tyranny and call the Church back to Scripture, faith, and freedom in Christ.

These weren’t perfect men. But they ignited a return to the Word that would shake nations.

---

The Early Reformers and Pre-Reformers

John Wycliffe (c. 1320s–1384)

• Translated the Bible into English
• Declared Scripture as the final authority
• Rejected transubstantiation and papal supremacy
• Called the Pope the “antichrist”

Jan Hus (c. 1372–1415)

• Preached against indulgences and corrupt clergy
• Influenced by Wycliffe’s writings
• Burned at the stake for refusing to recant

Martin Luther (1483–1546)

• Nailed the 95 Theses to the church door in 1517
• Denounced the sale of indulgences
• Declared salvation is by grace through faith, not works
• Translated the Bible into German for the people

William Tyndale (c. 1494–1536)

• Translated the New Testament into English
• Declared that even a plowboy should know the Word
• Hunted, betrayed, and burned alive for giving the people Scripture

---

The Price of Truth

These reformers didn’t seek rebellion—they sought restoration.
They paid dearly:

• Excommunication
• Torture
• Martyrdom
• Misrepresentation

But they feared God more than man.

---

What Did the Reformation Restore?

1. Sola Scriptura — Scripture alone is our authority
2. Sola Fide — Justification by faith alone
3. Sola Gratia — Salvation by grace alone
4. Solus Christus — Christ alone is mediator
5. Soli Deo Gloria — All glory to God alone

These weren’t slogans—they were cries of the heart.

---

Application for Today

Ask yourself:

• Have I taken the Bible for granted?
• Do I trust tradition—or test all things by the Word?
• Would I still stand if it cost me everything?

---

Revelation 3:2–3

“Wake up, and strengthen the things that remain… Remember what you have received and heard; and keep it, and repent.”

---

(The Great Falling Away, Part 7)

“You are not to be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers.”
— Matthew 23:8, NASB1995

---

From Shared Priesthood to Religious Tyranny

In the earliest Church, all believers were priests—filled with the Spirit, taught by Christ, and united in fellowship (1 Peter 2:9).

But as the centuries progressed, that shared spiritual authority was replaced by hierarchies, titles, and layers of control.

The goal became obedience to the Church, not obedience to Christ.

---

How Conscience Was Captured

1. Clerical Elevation

• Bishops were elevated above the congregation
• Priests became intermediaries between God and man
• The laity were considered spiritually dependent and unqualified

2. Tradition Over Scripture

• Church tradition was declared equal (or superior) to Scripture
• Papal decrees became law
• Scripture was locked in Latin and guarded by clergy

3. Confession and Penance

• Believers were required to confess sins to a priest
• Penance (works) replaced repentance and grace
• Assurance of salvation became impossible without priestly involvement

4. The Eucharist and Transubstantiation

• Only priests could perform the “miracle” of turning bread and wine into Christ
• The Mass became a daily sacrifice for sin—controlled by clergy

5. Censorship and Persecution

• Anyone who interpreted Scripture differently was labeled a heretic
• Bibles were burned. Voices were silenced.
• Fear replaced freedom

---

But Christ’s Word Still Stands:

“You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
— John 8:32, NASB1995

The Holy Spirit never relinquished His role. He still convicts, teaches, and leads every believer who abides in Christ.

---

Reclaiming the Priesthood of All Believers

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood… so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him…”
— 1 Peter 2:9, NASB1995

The early Church didn’t rely on religious elites:

• They met in homes
• Taught one another in love
• Relied on the Spirit—not a central authority

---

What Was Lost?

• Freedom of Conscience
• Access to God through Christ alone
• Confidence in salvation through faith—not sacraments

Instead, man’s word became binding, and Christ’s words became buried.

---

Application for Today

Ask yourself:

• Do I rely on a religious system more than the Spirit of God?
• Am I personally seeking, reading, and obeying the Word?
• Have I allowed someone else to rule my conscience?

---

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace…”