Preaching Month- The Reformation
It’s October, and around here that means we spend a good amount of time thinking, reflecting, and learning about the Reformation. In some regards the Reformation is no different from any other period in history. We don’t magnify or worship the Reformation, or seek to venerate the influential leaders of that time. We do, however, appreciate and recognize the uniqueness of the Reformation in the ideas, ideals, and ideologies that emerged from the period. Most notably, we are thankful for how God used the Reformation as a means to turn many back to the truth of God revealed in the scriptures.
One of the major victories of the Reformation was the translation and proliferation of the Bible into the common language of peoples. Do you have a Bible in your house? How many Bibles do you have? Do you have a Bible app on your phone or computer? Could you imagine a world where you had access to no Bible in your own language at all?
The access to the Bible and the far-reaching spread of Bible printing is largely a result of the labors and lives of those courageous and faithful men and women living in the times of the Reformation.
As access to the Bible grew, new challenges arose as a consequence. As the great masses of populations gained access to the Bible in their language (and education to read), questions and concerns were raised about the official doctrines of the Roman church. The preaching and teaching of Rome during the period of the Reformation was demonstrated time and time again to be not only in slight disagreement with the Word of God but in stark contrast and in direct contradictory opposition to the truth of God’s Word.
Access to God’s Word brought with it a demand for biblically faithful preaching and teaching. Accompanying that demand came questions of discernment. How can a congregation trust, and receive God’s Word, while maintaining sound judgment differentiating true biblical teaching and preaching from false teaching and preaching? Much of the triumph (and hardship) of the Reformation was centered around God’s Word and therefore, by extension, teaching and preaching of God’s Word.
This month we will be sharing a few pieces answering questions about Biblical preaching, and teaching, as well as providing insight into the rich and beautiful blessing of God in the Word proclaimed rightly.
We hope this month and these upcoming posts challenge you and grow you as preachers, teachers, hearers, receivers, and participants in the work of God done through the Word proclaimed.
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