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Diligence: Journal of the Liberty University Online Religion Capstone in Research and Scholarship Volume 1 Article 9 September 2016 The Reformers' View of Scripture David G. Jones Liberty University Online, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/djrc Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, History of Christianity Commons, and the History of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Jones, David G. (2016) "The Reformers' View of Scripture," Diligence: Journal of the Liberty University Online Religion Capstone in Research and Scholarship: Vol. 1 , Article 9. Available at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/djrc/vol1/iss1/9 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Divinity at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in Diligence: Journal of the Liberty University Online Religion Capstone in Research and Scholarship by an authorized editor of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Reformers' View of Scripture Cover Page Footnote LIBERTY UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF DIVINITY Research Paper: The Reformers’ View of Scripture Submitted to Dr. Martin Eugene Sheldon in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the completion of RLGN 490 – D01 Research and Scholarship Capstone by David G Jones August 21, 2017 This article is available in Diligence: Journal of the Liberty University Online Religion Capstone in Research and Scholarship: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/djrc/vol1/iss1/9 Jones: The Reformers' View of Scripture i Contents Introduction ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1 Doctrine Reformed ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2 Indulgences --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Baptism -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Eucharist ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4 Predestination ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5 Martin Luther ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 6 Baptism -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 The Sacrament of Eucharist -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 John Calvin --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 The Elect------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 The Mass------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------12 Huldrych Zwingli ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13 Intercession --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------14 Elect-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------15 Conclusion- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16 Bibliography -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 Published by Scholars Crossing, 2016 1 Diligence: Journal of the Liberty University Online Religion Capstone in Research and Scholarship, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [2016], Art. 9 1 Introduction The Roman Catholic Church prevailed in religious dominion, forcing membership which led to the rise of supercessionism, and the persecution of those not associated with the “Christian Church.” The Reformers Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli considering these events developed doctrine regarding Scripture contrary to the general belief of their day. Therefore, understanding what the general belief of the time was is necessary in understanding how the reformers altered their personal views as well as those of the people. At this time, the church held to a deteriorated version of Scripture and there was a need for reform. The beliefs held by the church included sacraments, non-biblical doctrine, infant baptism, open communion, merit based grace or justification by works, repentance, intercessory prayer to saints, and single male priests who were elected and governed. Because of the church’s abused position, the reformers in response to their exploitation opted for a reformed view of doctrine, adopting a view that held more to the New Testament church than the heresy they faced. Luther, Calvin and Zwingli all shared common views which enabled the reformation. The priesthood of all Christians, justification by faith alone, and ultimate authority of Scripture were the core message behind the reformers’ theology. However, while sharing common beliefs and enemies, their own personal influences and education separated them from one another as they developed their own personalized style of theology. Investigating the reformers differing views on Soteriology, ecclesiology, infant baptism, election, church service, the Eucharist and their personal understanding of the Solae, their individual concepts of Scripture shall be seen. Though their core beliefs were similar, it is through these differences that the personalized views of the reformers were established. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/djrc/vol1/iss1/9 2 Jones: The Reformers' View of Scripture 2 The purpose of this study is to understand through historical theology, biblical exegesis, and historical reflection the beliefs of Luther, Calvin, and Zwingli regarding Scripture. The reformers fought against the church’s deteriorating views of doctrine, through developing their own personal view of Scripture and expounding on theological doctrine. Through an examination of the reformers theology concerning Scripture compared to Roman doctrine and their fellow reformers, both their differences and similarities, one will discern the reforming thought that brought about change. Doctrine Reformed In the era of the reformers the Roman Catholic Church imposed its doctrine on everyone. The doctrine they decreed at the time was deteriorated and served as a means of amassing wealth rather than glorifying God. The practices established by the Roman Church were generally accepted by all, and those who bore witness to the lack thereof scriptural support began to reform the doctrine of Christianity. The protestant reformers Martin Luther, John Calvin and Huldrych Zwingli taught Scripture solely based from Scripture alone (Sola Scriptura), while arguing against the teachings of the Roman Church as interpreters of the Bible.1 In Catholic doctrine there are three essential elements to constitute a sacrament: a visible sign, an invisible sign and divine institution.2 All Catholic sacraments convey sanctifying grace, making the individual just and holy.3 The Reformers espoused that the Sacraments were merely “exhortation designed to excite faith” (Luther), “tokens of truthfulness of the divine promises” (Calvin), or “sings of Christian profession by which the faithful testify that they belong to the Church of Jesus Christ” 1 Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language, 3rd ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2008), 277. 2 Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, 2nd ed. (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 1988), 1018. 3 Erickson, Christian Theology, 1018. Published by Scholars Crossing, 2016 3 Diligence: Journal of the Liberty University Online Religion Capstone in Research and Scholarship, Vol. 1, Iss. 1 [2016], Art. 9 3 (Zwingli).4 The Council of Trent condemned the Reformers stating the sacraments were a means to grace for those that do not place an obstacle to that grace.5 Indulgences Indulgences were then as it is today, the practice of the doctrine of satisfaction. This practice entails the paying for one’s loved one to leave purgatory, a place created for the sole purpose of amassing wealth. Preaching doctrine of indulgences is derived from the minds of man without support of Scripture, “who say that as soon as the money clinks into the money chest, the soul flies out of purgatory.”6 According to Timothy J. Wengert, “At the heart of the Ninety-five Theses stands his limiting of papal authority regarding indulgences so that true contrition (the work of the law) is no longer impaired by such “cheap grace,” bought for a price.7 Zwingli cautioned not to confuse indulgences with the practices of Christ, for these men seek not the glory of God, but an increasing wealth.8 Baptism Infant baptism was developed by Augustine, arguing that original sin was needing to be cleansed from infants that entered the world in sin.9 Luther explains baptism to be subjected in direct relation to Jesus’ words (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16); declaring that baptism is of divine 4 Ibid. 5 Ibid. 6 Martin Luther, The Best from all His Works, Stephen Rost, ed. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), 18. 7 Timothy J. Wengert, “Luther in Context: With Illustrations,” The Journal of Theology Dialog 55, no. 1 (June 2017): 123 (accessed August 5, 2017). 8 Huldrych Zwingli, Commentary on True and False Religion, Samuel M. Jackson, ed. (Durham: The Labyrinth Press, 1981), 177-178. 9 Paul Johnson, A History of Christianity (New York: Simon & Schuster, 1976), 119. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/djrc/vol1/iss1/9 4 Jones: The Reformers'
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