Martin Luther confessed, “The scriptures are our vineyard, in which we must all work. “And he worked in this vineyard. Initially, Luther’s formal education led him to the arts and sciences; he was educated in the subjects established and developed by Aristotle; his quick wit prepared him well for his master’s degree in law; everywhere, he fought deeply in his soul.
The terrible storm that hit Luther on the way to Erfurt sent him to the monastery, but the duties of a monk did not facilitate his internal battles, his superiors, very interested in him, prescribed him more studies, just as Luther undertook a course of theological research.
- Studying theology and the Bible in the 1510s meant little more than studying what teachers had to say about theology and the Bible.
- Layered fonts.
- Written by theologians.
- Popes and other precedents.
- Were Luther’s texts.
- And he was expected to do little.
- Without mastering the sources so that he too could direct future students to teachers.
As Luther moved from student to teacher, a new star grew in education, a star that would illuminate both the Renaissance and the Reformation. Historians refer to this new way of learning with the Latin phrase ad Fontes: “to sources”. Remove tradition layers and secondary fonts; go directly to the original. Luther went to the fountain. He read Paul, the Psalms, and the prophets. In the scriptures, Luther found the solution to his struggles and more.
Erasmo published his New Testament text in Greek and Latin in Basel in 1516. Luther preached his ninety-five theses at the door of the church a year later. The first thesis challenges the Latin translation of the Greek word for “repentance”. in hand, Luther and the Reformation rose with determination.
A few years after the publication of the ninety-five theses, Luther produced his work of love for his own people: the New Testament in German; later, both wills will be available to German readers. In 1525, Tyndale produced a New Testament, from Greek, for the English-speaking world.
The Reformation was based on the Bible, so we should not be surprised to find a strong doctrine of the scriptures among reformers. A useful concept for revealing the doctrine of the scriptures includes four key terms: authority, necessity, clarity, and sufficiency.
Italian reformer Pedro Martir Vermigli clearly established the authority of the scriptures by draw attention to the Latin term Dominus dixit, which means “This is how the Lord said. “The Bible is the Word of God, so it is true; therefore, it has authority; therefore, it is error-free; therefore, it is foolproof; and is therefore our only safe guide.
Calvin compared the scriptures to the programs. Apart from the scriptures, we misunderstand the natural world, human nature, and the Creator. Only the scriptures give us a clear picture of who God is, who we are, and what God’s plan is for the world. Without the scriptures, we stumble into darkness. Scripture is necessary for the world to be seen correctly.
One of Ulrico Zwonglio’s most important writings is titled “On the Clarity and Certainty of the Word of God. The idea that the scriptures are clear does not mean that everything in them is abundant and equally clear. However, this means that the main message and essence of the scriptures are clear. Zuonglio also tells us that God gave us the Holy Ghost, “the Master of Truth,” and God provided his church with teachers and talented people so that we could know His Word with certainty.
Shortly before her martyrdom, Lady Jane Gray wrote a few words in her copy of the New Testament that she left for her sister. She wrote about how this book was not adorned with gold as were some of the best books in her library, but “inside it was worth more than gems. “Peter says that God has given us all the things that lead to life and mercy. In him? precious and very great promises? of his Word (2 Peter 1:3-4). The Word of God is enough to tell us what we must believe to be saved and how we can please God.
The motto of single Scriptura of the Reformation?Writing only?In fact, it is constructed with the four keywords that describe the scriptures. Because it is authorized, necessary, clear, and sufficient, Scripture is our final standard in faith and practice. Therefore, the scriptures should be preached and read widely. , studied and announced. The Reformation was built on the sure foundation of the Word of God.
By celebrating what the Reformation achieved five hundred years ago, we can also look to the future towards the next Reform. Can we imagine all that the Word of God can accomplish in the hands of God’s people in the years to come?