The Reformation for Today

Our October theme for the Today devotions, written by Dr. Kurt Selles, is “The Reformation for Today.”

I’ve never studied Latin, but as a pastor I’ve heard about the “Solas of the Reformation,” namely the phrases “Sola Scriptura,” “Solus Christus,” “Sola Gratia,” “Sola Fide,” and “Soli Deo Gloria.” Simply put, they can be translated as the “Alones”: “Scripture Alone,” “Christ Alone,” “Grace Alone,” “Faith Alone,” and “Glory to God Alone”.

Why spend this entire month of devotional readings on Latin phrases?

Well, 500 years ago this month, a little-known monk, Martin Luther, nailed 95 theses or statements on the door of a church in Wittenberg, Germany, intending to spark debate. He had been studying scripture carefully and came to the conclusion that the church of his day was mistaken about some important concepts, especially salvation. And he wanted the world to know!

This action set in motion what we know today as the Protestant Reformation of the western, Rome-centered church.

The “Alones” emerged from the debate Luther began as a more biblical way of understanding how God’s salvation works. It’s important for us to understand that the Bible is God’s Word, Jesus Christ is the only source of salvation, salvation comes through God’s grace alone and by faith alone, and that all of this brings glory to God alone.

Kurt Selles is director of Back to God Ministries International, the parent ministry of ReFrame Media which publishes this Today devotional. He is eager to share his thoughts on the treasures of the Reformation with readers this month.

You can download a free ebook of this month’s devotions, “The Reformation for Today,” as a gift to share with your friends and family..

May you be refreshed, refocused, and renewed in God’s Word!

PS: Would you like to learn even more about the Reformation? Check out the new series from our sister program, Groundwork. Dig deep into the five solae with our conversational Bible-teaching podcast.