*Note: For the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation I did three Sunday night lectures. The links have become broken, so I am re-posting them again.
In October I taught a series of lessons on Sunday nights regarding the Reformation. The Protestant Reformation still matters and the issues that divided the church in the 16th Century continue to divide Protestants and Roman Catholics.
Topic #1: “Who is the head of the church: Peter or Christ?”
“It ought above all to be settled and established among Christians that the Holy Scriptures are a spiritual light far brighter than the sun itself, especially in things that are necessary to salvation.” (Martin Luther, “Bondage of the Will,” p. 159.)
The head of the church is the sole authority of the church, therefore, if the Pope is the head of the church, all the aberrant Roman Catholic doctrines must be accepted, it is that simple.
What are the claims about the Pope by the Roman Catholic Church? (Primarily based on misreading of Matthew 16)
1. Jesus is speaking to Peter in Matthew 16, and identifies Peter as the rock upon which the church is built.
2. The words Jesus speaks establish Peter as the “prince of the Apostles,” the first pope, and the head of the Christian Church.
3. These words necessarily indicate the creation of the office of Pope, and includes Peter’s successors and the specific powers given to the pope.
4. The Christian Church has always held to this doctrine regarding Peter and the papacy.
The Church at Rome must demonstrate beyond all question that their position is true.
I believe that you will find that Rome’s claims contradict the clear teaching of the Scriptures. Listen here.
Topic # 2: “Authority as it relates to Scripture, Tradition, and the teaching Magesterium, in the Roman Catholic Church.”
This topic is somewhat related to topic #1, and really builds upon it. Once a church is no longer anchored to what the Word of God says (Sola Scriptura), it is unable to produce anything but error.
Historian J. H. Merle d’Aubigne wrote: “The only true reformation is that which emanates for the Word of God.”
The true church only to speaks what the written Word of God teaches.
Authority—Rome vs the reformers:
And that my readers may the better understand the hinge on which the question chiefly turns, I will briefly explain what our opponents demand, and what we resist. When they deny that the Church can err, their end and meaning are to this effect: Since the Church is governed by the Spirit of God, she can walk safely without the word; in whatever direction she moves, she cannot think or speak anything but the truth, and hence, if she determines anything without or beside the word of God, it must be regarded in no other light than if it were a divine oracle. If we grant the first point—viz. that the Church cannot err in things necessary to salvation—our meaning is, that she cannot err, because she has altogether discarded her own wisdom, and submits to the teaching of the Holy Spirit through the word of God. Here then is the difference. They place the authority of the Church without the word of God; we annex it to the word, and allow it not to be separated from it.” (John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, IV:8:13)
Concerning authority in the Christian life: you can have what man says or what the Scriptures say, but you cannot have both. Listen here.
Topic # 3: “Does the Gospel taught by the Roman Catholic Church bring peace between God and man?”
The Gospel is good news, a Gospel that does not bring peace is not good news at all, for it to be truly good news, the result must be true and lasting peace between God and man. A Gospel that relies on meriting salvation through works-righteousness, could not logically be called a gospel, for it does not qualify as good news.
Rome’s Gospel:
Salvation in the Roman Catholic Church is through the sacramental system, that is designed to mediate to man God’s help and favor. In particular, the sacrament of penance affords the sinner solace, only requiring them, to confess all their wrongdoing and seek absolution, through various works.
Salvation in the Roman scheme begins with baptism, which the church teaches is the “laver of regeneration.” (Council of Trent Session 6: CHAPTER IV). Baptism removes original sin, places them in a state of grace, as adopted children of God, through the second Adam, Jesus Christ. In order for man to arrive at full sanctification, he must cooperate with the grace of the Holy Spirit. By performing works, a person remains in this state of grace, and merits eternal life by their good works.
The Biblical Gospel:
The Christian Gospel is a stark contrast from the perspective of Rome. The Biblical Gospel is the message of grace.
To a world drowning in the tidal waves of sin, the Christian presents a message of hope, not based on what we can do for ourselves, but on what God has done for us through Jesus Christ.
The Gospel takes dead hearts and minds and makes them alive in Christ. This Gospel brings lasting peace, not a temporary ceasefire, while we try to merit salvation. This Peace was purchased on Calvary’s tree, and secured by the blood of the Lord Jesus.
In Christ,
Jeremy Murphy
Delivered by Christ 