Why the Reformation Still Matters

 

In an era of spiritual confusion and cultural fragmentation, the Reformation stands as a poignant reminder that truth is worth fighting for. 

 

October isn’t just about falling leaves and pumpkin spice; it’s Reformation Month. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the church door in Wittenberg, sparking a movement that would reshape the church, challenge empires, and recover the gospel’s blazing center: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. This month, I’m launching a series of blog posts that explore why the Reformation still matters, how its truths confront our modern confusion, comfort our weary hearts, and call us back to the beauty of biblical grace.

 

When most people hear the term “Reformation,” they think of dusty history books, old church controversies, or perhaps Martin Luther wielding a hammer. However, the truth is that the Reformation isn’t just a chapter in church history; it’s a living legacy. It’s about rediscovering the heart of the gospel, reclaiming grace, and learning to stand on truth when everything else feels shaky. In a world that’s constantly shifting, spiritually, culturally, even morally, the Reformation reminds us who God is, how He saves, and why that still changes everything.

 

More than 500 years ago, Martin Luther’s hammer struck a church door and echoed across history. The Reformation wasn’t just a theological dispute; it was a spiritual awakening, a cultural upheaval, and a call to return to the heart of the gospel. 

 

But why does it still matter today?

 

We live in a time of spiritual fragmentation. Truth feels negotiable, identity is fluid, and institutions, religious and secular, are often met with suspicion. The Reformation reminds us that clarity is possible. It anchors us in the authority of Scripture (sola scriptura), the sufficiency of grace (sola gratia), and the centrality of Christ (solus Christus).

 

These aren’t dusty doctrines; they’re lifelines. In a world of shifting sands, the Reformation offers something solid to take hold of

 

 The Reformers risked everything to proclaim that salvation is by faith alone (sola fide), not by merit, ritual, or institutional favor. That truth unleashed a revolution of conscience. It affirmed that every believer, regardless of status, could approach God directly, read His Word, and wrestle with His truth.

 

Today, that legacy fuels movements for religious liberty, personal conviction, and theological reform. It reminds us that faith is not inherited, it’s awakened.

 

 The Reformation wasn’t a one-time event. It was the beginning of a posture: semper reformanda, “always reforming.” That means we don’t cling to tradition for tradition’s sake. We test everything by Scripture. We repent. We refine. We return.

 

In our churches, our teaching, and our hearts, the Reformation calls us to ask: Are we still in the process of reforming? Or have we settled?