In 1517 when Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses on the doors of the Church in Wittenberg, he provided a catalyst event for what would be known as the Protestant Reformation. It was from here that the Christian Church, as we know it, came about. This event however was not an isolated one. It occurred in the context of a social, political and even a technological setting. More importantly though, there was also a theological setting, as the Theses were themselves a product of Luther's own personal journey with faith.
Luther was an Augustinian monk who taught theology at the University of Wittenberg. It was in this phase of his life that Luther wrestled with his understanding of salvation. As a believer, Luther was keenly aware of his own sinfulness, and was consequently sensitive to the frailties of his works. His decision to become a monk itself is perhaps indicative as he cried out in desperation, making a bargain with God, that he would become a monk during a thunderstorm in which he was almost struck by lightning. Thus Luther's sense of his own sinfulness, coupled with his fear of God culminated in a deep restlessness with regard to the security of his salvation.
On a trip to Rome in 1510, Luther visited the Scala Sancta ("the Holy Stairs"), which in Catholic tradition were the stairs upon which Jesus stood in his trial before Pontius Pilate. Pilgrims would (and still do) visit these stairs, on each step offering prayers to God as a way of mitigating temporal punishments for sin. Luther climbed the steps on his knees, saying the Lord's Prayer and kissing each step as he went, and when he had reached the top said to himself, "who knows whether it is so?" Luther was struck by the frailty of his works. He realised that there was no guarantee that they had any effect, and when taken in consideration with his own sinfulness, he recognised that neither should they. His trip to Rome was thus deeply disappointing to him. He left and summarised his experience saying that he "like a fool, carried onions there and brought back garlic." In his search for peace with God, he had made offerings in his poverty and exchanged them for a different kind of the same.
It was only in context of Luther's exploration of Paul's letter to the Romans that his outlook began to change. Specifically, it was his discovery of the true meaning of righteousness in Romans 1:17. Medieval theology understood that "the righteousness of God is revealed" in the sense that it was revealed in his wrath. Luther's perspective was such that throughout life, God's own righteousness was being shown to humanity as his wrath was poured out on people for their sins. Thus his sense of his own sinfulness resulted in a deep uncertainty as he was constantly questioning whether or not he had done enough to receive salvation. As Luther studied Romans more closely however, he realised that contextually, the revelation of God's righteousness was something else. It was by faith, not works, and this was the way that the righteous lived! He discovered that God is revealing his righteousness in the sense that he is giving righteousness to those who have put faith in him. By faith, righteousness was something that Luther freely possessed, and he could be secure and joyful in it rather than fearful of God's wrath. Luther described this realisation as the difference between hating God and joyfully loving him. He discovered the doctrine of God's grace, and it was glorious!
This changed everything. Good works were consequences of salvation, not means of earning it. And so everything about Christian life and ethics was to be revaluated. And it was here that the core doctrine of the Reformation took shape in Luther's mind.
There are a number of remarkable things about this. Perhaps the obvious one is that the doctrine came to define a period in history. Though the Protestant Church's separation from the Catholic Church was over a number of issues, this was its theological heart. And the differences would provoke much argument, even physical confrontation and sadly in some cases, war. It was also remarkable for the way it changed people's practices as many long standing traditions were deemed inappropriate and flawed or needing modification. For some there was even a sense of social upheaval attached to the Reformation.
But what is most remarkable of all is still the enormity of the gospel. In this one revelation we see the power of God to save a man, from a life of fearful works to a life of joyful worship. Certainly God would use that life to have great effect on the history of the world, but at the heart of it is still the story of the gracious redemption of Christ.
As we work our way through Romans as a Church, don't be blind to the glorious power of the gospel. Believe, that as we come to grips with what it says, the same power that moved Luther and many others throughout history is also at work in us. Believe that it changes us, and believe that in that change lies both the possibility and the opportunity to change the world...
The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. How can we possibly allow it to sit idly in our hearts and in our hands?