The Three Alones of Reformation Theology - 2703 Words

Question 1. What are the three alones of Reformation theology? How do they relate to one another in Luthers theology? How does Luthers use of them respond to the dominant question of the sixteenth century: How can I know that God is favorable to me? The three alones in Reformation theology refer to that which is needed for justification or salvation favorableness in the sight of God. Luther describes them as 1) Christ, or the Gospel of Christ (Scripture), alone, 2) faith alone, and 3) grace alone. Each of these three are essentially united in Luthers theology. Christ is the most important factor in the three, because without Christ and without His Word, as recorded in Scripture, one cannot begin to have faith or hope to receive the necessary grace that comes with faith and guarantees salvation. As Luther states, One thing, and one alone, is necessary for life, justification, and Christian liberty; and that is the most holy word of God, the Gospel of Christ (Luther, p. 9). Through Christ and the preaching of His Word comes belief. If one believes, that is has faith, which implies trust and commitment, then one is justified and has found favor in Gods eyes: For faith alone, and the efficacious use of the word of God, bring salvation (Luther, p. 9) Luther downplays the importance of works in the justification of man and instead emphasizes the place of faith and the grace that goes with it: For the word of God cannot be received and honoured by any works,Show MoreRelatedFive Solae Essay1392 Words   |  6 Pageslifestyle, based on private prayer, worship, study, and individual ethical choice. This was difficult for many to do.† Not only was the Protestant Reformation a crucial time in the history of Europe, but also in the history of the entire world. The Protestant Reformation marked a massive alteration of religion. New religious ideas flourished during the Reformation, thus, challenging the beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church. A storm of question began to emerge against the Roman Catholic Church because itsRead MoreOn November 10, 1483, In Eisleben, Saxony (What Is Now1453 Words   |  6 Pagesdoor of the Castle Church in Wittenburg on October 31, 1517. Albert, the Archbishop of Mainz and Magdeburg, received a copy of the document the same day. (McKim 8) The church proceeded to charge Luther with heresy and over the course of the next three years, he faced several panels. Finally, in 1520, the pope excommunicated Luther and fearing for his life, Luther went into hiding. During this time, Luther married a former nun named Katharina von Bora. During 1524 - 1526, Luther came out of hidingRead MoreChristianity And Deism : A Worldview Comparison1202 Words   |  5 PagesGod† (1 John 4:15). According to the Gospel of John, Christianity also believes that there is a Holy Spirit, â€Å"God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth† (John 4:24 New Living Translation). C hristians believe that these three persons are equal as to having one God as it says in the Fifth Book of Moses, â€Å"Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one† (Deuteronomy 6:4 ESV). Christians believe that Jesus is the savior and redeemer of the world for he has died by crucifixionRead MoreThe Reformation And Its Effects On The World1356 Words   |  6 PagesThe Reformation and its Effects on the World. â€Å"Out of love for the truth and the desire to bring it to light, the following propositions will be discussed at Wittenberg, under the presidency of the Reverend Father Martin Luther, Master of Arts and of Sacred Theology, and Lecturer in Ordinary on the same at that place (Luther).† With these words Luther began the long war against the Catholic Church, that would later become known as the protestant Reformation. It would be one of the largest forcesRead MoreThe Reformation and the Church Essay example1587 Words   |  7 PagesThe Reformation was a decisive period in the history not only for the Catholic Church, but also for the entire world. The causes of this tumultuous point in history did not burst on the scene all at once, but slowly gained momentum like a boil that slowly festers through time before it finally bursts open. The Reformation of the Church was inevitable because of the abuses which the Church was suffering during this period. At the time of the Reform ation, a segment of the Church had drifted away fromRead MoreProtestant Reformation1706 Words   |  7 PagesPAPER 1 (PROTESTANT REFORMATION) DOUGLAS HOLLOWAY STUDENT ID# 23766838 CHHI 302_DO5_201340 FALL 2013 DR. KEITH GOAD LIBERTY UNIVERSITY NOVEMBER 05, 2013 As a result of increased corruption in the Catholic Church, a significant number of priests in the 16th century tried to transform Christianity back to its previous Biblical basis and simplicity. Initially, priests channeled much of their efforts in reforming the church, but they discovered that it was very challenging, andRead MoreProtestantism Essays1131 Words   |  5 PagesProtestantism originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Protestant doctrine, also known in continental European traditions as Evangelical doctrine, is in opposition to that of Roman Catholicism. It typically holds that Scripture (rather than tradition or ecclesiastic interpretation of Scripture)[1] is the source of revealed truth. Meaning and origin of the term The word Protestant is derived from the Latin protestari [2][3] meaning publicly declare which refers to the letter of protestationRead MoreLuther : Man Between God And The Devil Essay1439 Words   |  6 PagesHeiko Oberman’s book, Luther: Man between God and the Devil, explores Martin Luther’s life, theology and legacy. Oberman does not simply focus on Luther’s actions and behaviors as a Reformer, nor does he evaluate Luther from a purely Protestant or Catholic point of view. Instead, the book examines Luther’s continual battle with the Devil. In order to truly understand Luther, it is important â€Å"to grasp the man in his totality-with head and heart† (Oberman, 1989, xix). Luther is not merely a monk, professorRead MoreThe Reform Of The Western Church888 Words   |  4 Pages Three main basic challenges existed in Europe, leading to the need for reform of the Western church: moral failings of the church – across all levels of leadership , uncertainty toward theology and knowledge as Byzantine influence worked its way westward, and political and economic contentions between the church, secular structures of power, and the people. Along with the need for reform came ripeness for change in the form of the printing press, movement away from Latin to national languages, growingRead MoreMartin Luther And His Influence On Peasant Results951 Words   |  4 PagesProtestant Reformation in the sixteenth century. He questioned some of the basic beliefs and principles of the Roman Catholic church and his followers split from the Roman Catholic to begin the protestant tradition. Martin Luther spent a few years at the monastery and finally became an Augustinian monk. Martin Luther gained religious enlightenment through the studies of the scriptures. Martin Luther believed that the key to spiritual salvation was not the fear of God but the believe that faith alone will