Reformation Day

On October 31st many Christians celebrate what is known as Reformation Day. This day commemorates when Martin Luther, in 1517, nailed his ninety-five theses on the door of All Saints’ Church at Wittenberg. Luther’s ninety-five theses were a list of disputations addressing abuse and corruption within the Roman Catholic church. He sought to enact change by sparking a debate within the church at large. He chose to do this on All Hallows’ Eve, the day before All Saints’ Day, in order to gain the people’s as well as the clergy’s attention who would be gathered at the city’s church for the holiday mass. This act and Luther’s subsequent protests, would lead to his trial, a warrant for his arrest, and threats of execution. What Martin Luther did took courage and during this time many other men and women would also put their lives at risk in order to proclaim God’s truth found in His word over against the earthly authorities of their day. God’s sovereign movement in the church during this period of history led many Christians back the essentials of evangelical faith.

At Ancient Paths, this week marks the beginning of our Reformation season. With the advent of fall, we are taking time to recognize the historical and doctrinal significance of the Protestant Reformation leading up to our Reformation Day break. Since that time in history, the primary teachings of the protestant reformers have been summarized in what is known as the five solas (Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Solus Christus, Sola Scriptura, and Soli Deo Gloria). These are five Latin phrases which mean that God saves us by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, according to scripture alone, and for the glory of God alone. Each week during this season we will focus on one of the five solas. Our students will hear teaching from the Bible on each one of these points, sing psalms and hymns which emphasize these truths, and translate these phrases in their Latin class. We will also take time to read inspiring stories from lives of the reformers.

We owe an immense debt of gratitude to the faithful labor of God’s people during the Reformation. Precious doctrinal truths like justification by faith alone, a respect for freedom of conscience, and even modern constitutional governments find their roots in this period. Sadly, that history is often neglected in evangelical churches and unknown to many people who enjoy the fruits of that labor. Parents, other family members, and friends of the school can join us during this time to study the protestant reformation and help us to recover the rich Christian heritage we have. I would encourage you to read your own selected biographies, books, and articles alongside our school during this season. However, if you need a place to start, I have placed some worthwhile resources below:

1. “What are the Five Solas?” by McGraw, Ryan Ligonier Ministries

2. Martin Luther: A Man Who Changed the World by Maier, Paul L.

   *image credit the cover of this book

3. The Unquenchable Flame: Discovering the Heart of the Reformation by Reeves, Michael

4. A Little Book on the Christian Life - Calvin, John

5. The Foundations of Modern Political Thought Volume 2: The Age of the Reformation Skinner, Quentin

Grace and Peace,

Josh Lister - Headmaster