The Protestant Reformation – What was it?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Protestant Reformation began in the early 1500s when believers such as Martin Luther called the church to return to Scripture’s teaching. Many were troubled by traditions that had grown alongside the Bible, such as indulgences, the authority of the pope, and the belief that salvation required human effort. Luther’s 95 Theses in 1517 sparked the movement, and it soon spread across Europe. Reformers like Zwingli and Calvin joined the effort, each urging the church to measure every belief and practice against Scripture.

At its center, the Reformation insisted on what came to be known as the five “solas,” the Latin word for “alone”; these are grounded in biblical teaching. God rescues sinners by His grace alone (Ephesians 2:8–9) and saves through faith alone (Genesis 15:6; Romans 3:28). Additionally, salvation comes through Christ alone (Acts 4:12), and the Bible is the final authority for all faith and practice alone (Deuteronomy 8:3; 2 Timothy 3:16–17). All of this is for God’s glory alone (Psalm 115:1; 1 Corinthians 10:31). These five solas were about reminding the church of truths always taught in Scripture. While the original intention was to reform the church by removing what had been added to Scripture, Rome’s resistance to Scripture led to the creation of new Protestant churches.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Faith is one of the five solas of the Reformation. Though the Old Testament system emphasized obedience to the Law, Abraham’s faith is held up as exemplary: “And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
• The Reformers also upheld the authority of God’s word, which God pointed to as more life-giving to His people than food: “And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, . . . that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).
• The Reformers rightly believed that glorifying God is our ultimate purpose. As the Psalmist wrote, “Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory” (Psalm 115:1a).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Sola Scriptura affirmed that the Bible is the final authority for faith and practice. Passages such as 2 Timothy 3:16–17 teach that Scripture is “breathed out by God” and able to equip believers for every good work. No tradition, church decree, or human authority can stand alongside or above God’s Word.
• Sola Gratia emphasized that salvation is a gift of God’s grace, not earned through human effort. Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” The Reformers insisted that grace is the beginning and the end of redemption.
• Sola Fide meant that God saves through faith rather than works. In Romans 3:28, Paul said, “We hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.” The Reformers argued that all good works follow salvation rather than contribute to it.
• Solus Christus declares Jesus Christ as the only mediator between God and humanity. For example, Acts 4:12 affirms that salvation is found in Him alone. This meant the Reformers rejected any belief that priests, saints, or the church itself shared in Christ’s saving work.
• Soli Deo Gloria reminded believers that salvation exists for God’s glory. For example, we learn that, “whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). The Reformers taught that every aspect of salvation was done by God so that it exalts God alone.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

A key frustration of the tech age is “updates” that make things worse. Some things are better left as is. The plain truth about salvation conveyed in Scripture is the most important of these. Wherever teachings arise that add requirements to salvation or obscure the work of Christ, believers must return to Scripture and let it speak with its full authority as God’s Word. God has not changed, His Word has not changed, and the gospel has not changed.

This is why the Reformation still matters. The issues it raised are still relevant. The Roman Catholic Church continues to place church tradition and papal authority alongside Scripture, teaching that the Bible is not the only infallible standard of truth. Whenever human authority is allowed to stand beside God’s Word, the message of the gospel becomes lost. Without the gospel, a church ceases to be a true church. Scripture alone is God-breathed, unchanging, and entirely sufficient, and no tradition—no matter how ancient—has the right to alter or add to what God has spoken.

This means that genuine believers must continue to insist, humbly and firmly, that the Bible stands above every human authority. Holding to Scripture alone manifests our trust in God rather than man. The Reformers were not rejecting the church—they were defending the gospel. That same responsibility falls on us today.

UNDERSTAND

• The Reformation called the church back to Scripture over human traditions.
• The Reformation emphasized the five solas: grace, faith, Christ, Scripture, and God’s glory alone.
• Scripture is the ultimate, unchanging authority for faith and practice.

REFLECT

• How do you ensure that your faith and life practices are guided by Scripture above all else?
• Where do you need to rely more on God’s grace and faith in Christ alone, rather than your own efforts?
• How does remembering that all you do exists for God’s glory shape your priorities and actions?

ENGAGE

• How can we uphold the authority of Scripture when cultural or church traditions conflict with God’s Word?
• What practical steps can we take to live out the five solas in our lives individually and corporately?
• How does understanding the Reformation’s emphasis on salvation by grace through faith affect how we support and encourage each other in faith?