The Reformation Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Last week the question was asked, what is the significance of the Reformation for yesterday, today, and tomorrow? One way to approach the answer is through the lens of doctrine. At the core, the Reformation was a struggle for right doctrine. Luther understood that. Everything in his early ministry, from the posting of the Ninety-five Theses to the Diet of Worms, stressed the need for orthodoxy. What kind of impact might doctrine have? Luther knew correct theology was the difference between salvation and condemnation. The road to Hell is paved with heterodoxy. But Luther also grasped that doctrine had significance for this life, especially in suffering.

Doctrine and Suffering

We face our fair share of suffering. In Luther’s day it was worse, because suffering was so prevalent. People lived with sickness and disease nearly every day. And the last thing you wanted to do was go to the doctor. You can get why by reading some medieval medical manuals, and the things doctors did to try and make people well. You will be horrified. As Luther began to come to grips with the grace of God in the incarnation of Christ, it impacted his understanding of suffering.

One way was through how he saw people suffering under indulgences. An indulgence was basically a sheet of paper purchased from the church that freed or reduced time in Purgatory. Luther believed the indulgence preachers of 1517, in neighboring areas, were going too far. Johann Tetzel’s famous jingle, “When a coin in the coffer rings, a soul from Purgatory springs,” was an effective way to sucker money from the poor. It was too much for Luther. The abuse of indulgences was primarily what motivated him to pen the Ninety-five Theses. Luther saw how indulgences were being used as contrary to the love of God in Christ. Theses #82, “Why does not the pope empty purgatory for the sake of holy love … [than] for the sake of miserable money with which to build [St. Peter’s Basilica?]” Shortly after the Theses were posted, they were taken down, translated into German, and, thanks to the printing press, distributed throughout the surrounding area in a matter of weeks. Luther hoped to free people from suffering indulgence abuse. He had no idea what would ensue.

Six months later, Luther wrote another document that, in many respects, was more substantial than the Ninety-five Theses. It was his Heidelberg Disputation. In this work, Luther called people to be theologians of the Cross. One way this distinction bore itself out was in how to handle suffering. Luther saw how Jesus’s life was a pattern for our lives. Christ went from suffering to glory. His suffering was the way to glory. For all who are united to Christ, they should see their suffering in the same way.

As Carl Trueman put it, “Suffering and weakness are not just the way in which Christ triumphs and conquers; they are the way in which we are to triumph and conquer … One does not become a theologian by knowing a lot about God; one becomes a theologian by suffering the torments and feeling the weakness which union with Christ must inevitably bring in its wake.” (Carl Trueman, Reformation, 49)

Doctrine teaches us about suffering. It tells us about the union we have with Christ. He is the head. We are his body. As Jesus has gone, so will we—suffering first; glory afterwards. And doctrine teaches us how to respond to suffering. Trust the Lord. Why? 1 John 4:10, In this is love, not that we have loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. In the 28th theses of the Heidelberg Disputation Luther said, “The love of God does not find, but creates, that which is pleasing to it … Sinners are attractive b/c they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive.” God loves his people. And Heb. 12, he is pleased to use suffering to shape them for their good. His love means we can rely upon him in trials. The Reformation teaches us that doctrine helps us to face suffering.

Doctrine Brings Comfort

However, God doesn’t leave his people in suffering and say, “Hope you make it!” He comforts and helps us through it. For Luther, doctrine gave assurance of God’s abounding affection. And that was also helpful as Luther wrestled against sin. His daily struggles with temptation taxed him. Lust, pride, selfishness, envy, discontentment, and more, plagued him. He felt like he was a man between God and the Devil. Doctrine helped him remember God was more merciful than he was sinful.

Maybe we need to hear that same assurance of God’s mercy. God’s well of grace is deeper than the sin in your heart. His reservoir of love has no end, even in the face of suffering. Do you see how doctrine comforts? It is not for egg headed, ivory-towered, stuffy theologians. As the 20th century British playwright Dorthy Sayers said, “Doctrine is not dull dogma.” (Dorothy Sayers, The Greatest Drama Ever Staged, 1) Reformers like Luther were excited by doctrine. They were aided by doctrine in real tangible ways. Doctrine gave them comfort in the face of sin and sorrow. Doctrine soothes the soul and gives strength to wrestle against sin. Keep receiving what “accords with sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)

—Pastor Clif