Why remember the Reformation?

On October 31st, 1517 a German monk nailed his 95 statements of protest against the Roman Church’s policy of offering indulgences for sin, doctrines of penance, purgatory etc. These he describes as “one of the tares that were sown while the bishops slept” (#11). It was eventually to be an act that reverberated around Europe and the world. The impact of that action and all that followed have affected Biblical Christianity around the world ever since.

Some clamour that it is an anachronism to pay any attention to such ancient events. Man is a creature in love with the idea of his own progress and increasingly addicted to the concept of change/development. We need to move on! While there are many things in life and society that change and develop, there are certain things that cannot change but are forever the same. Cp 1Cor 10:11. Even to the end of the age ancient things—much older than the Reformation—are preserved by God for our instruction and comfort. There is a kind of change that is to be resisted, and where it has occurred it is to be rolled back.

Why remember? Because of the truths laid down in this text.
I THE UNCHANGING CHARACTER OF GOD’S WORD.
II THE UNCHANGING STATE OF SINFUL MANKIND.
III IT IS STILL GOD’S PURPOSE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF SINNERS BY THE GOSPEL REVEALED IN HIS WORD.