Rediscovering Christ: Insights from the English Reformation

 

Summary

The English Reformation and its Reformers hold a special place in my heart, not just as historical figures but as spiritual companions who have profoundly impacted my faith journey. Living in Oxford, I'm constantly reminded of the sacrifices made by Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer, who were martyred for their belief in justification by faith alone. Their stories of courage and conviction are not just historical anecdotes but living testimonies that continue to inspire and challenge us today.

At the age of 21, I faced a crisis of faith, grappling with two pivotal questions: "How can I be saved?" and "How can I know what is true?" In my search for answers, I found solace in the writings of Martin Luther, Richard Sibbes, John Owen, and Thomas Goodwin. These Reformers provided clarity and assurance that I couldn't find elsewhere. Luther's understanding of justification by faith alone, illustrated through the metaphor of a marriage between a king and a woman of ill repute, transformed my understanding of grace. It taught me that salvation is not about earning God's favor through works but receiving it as a gift through faith in Christ.

Richard Sibbes further illuminated this truth by emphasizing that our righteousness is found in Christ, not in ourselves. His words, "There is more righteousness in Christ, who is mine, than there is sin in me," became a source of immense comfort. John Owen's assertion that the Bible is self-authenticating and needs no external validation reinforced my confidence in Scripture as the ultimate authority.

The Reformation was not just a theological movement; it was a revelation of the glory of Christ. It shifted the focus from human efforts to the sufficiency and beauty of Christ's work. This realization turned cities and lives upside down, as people encountered a Savior who was not just an example to follow but a gift to receive. Thomas Goodwin's ministry aimed to draw people's eyes away from themselves and towards the sufficiency of Christ, a message that remains as relevant today as it was then.

In a world that often looks inward for answers, the English Reformers remind us to look to Christ, the source of true peace and delight. Their legacy is a call to rediscover the glory of Christ and to rest in His finished work.

Key Takeaways

- The English Reformers, through their writings and sacrifices, offer profound insights into the nature of faith and salvation, emphasizing justification by faith alone as a gift from Christ, not a result of human effort. [01:11]

- Martin Luther's metaphor of marriage illustrates the transformative power of grace, where Christ takes our sin and gives us His righteousness, highlighting the relational aspect of salvation. [09:35]

- Richard Sibbes' teaching that our righteousness is found in Christ, not in ourselves, provides comfort and assurance, reminding us that Christ's righteousness surpasses our sin. [11:31]

- John Owen's assertion of the Bible's self-authenticating nature reinforces the authority of Scripture, encouraging believers to trust in its divine wisdom over human opinions. [13:30]

- The Reformation revealed the glory of Christ, shifting the focus from human efforts to the sufficiency of Christ's work, a message that continues to inspire and transform lives today. [19:57]

Youtube Chapters

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:28] - Introduction to the English Reformation
- [01:11] - Martyrdom in Oxford
- [02:01] - Personal Crisis of Faith
- [02:58] - Searching for Answers
- [03:50] - Discovering Martin Luther
- [04:36] - Luther's View on Salvation
- [05:37] - Misunderstanding Grace
- [06:43] - Medieval Catholicism's View
- [07:23] - Luther's Struggle
- [08:40] - Justification by Faith Alone
- [09:35] - The Marriage Metaphor
- [10:39] - Richard Sibbes' Assurance
- [13:30] - John Owen on Scripture
- [15:28] - William Tyndale's Legacy
- [17:58] - The Glory of Christ
- [20:49] - Thomas Goodwin's Ministry
- [22:40] - Conclusion and Call to Rediscover Christ

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Romans 1:17 - "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, 'The righteous shall live by faith.'"
2. Romans 5:5 - "And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."
3. Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast."

Observation Questions:
1. What was the significance of the martyrdom of Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer in the context of the English Reformation? [01:11]
2. How did Martin Luther's understanding of justification by faith alone differ from the medieval Catholic view of grace? [04:36]
3. What metaphor did Martin Luther use to explain the concept of justification by faith, and what does it illustrate about the relationship between Christ and believers? [09:35]
4. How did John Owen describe the authority of Scripture, and why was this significant for the Reformation? [13:30]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the metaphor of marriage used by Martin Luther help us understand the relational aspect of salvation? [09:35]
2. In what ways did Richard Sibbes' teaching on righteousness provide comfort and assurance to believers? [11:31]
3. How did the Reformation's focus on the sufficiency of Christ's work challenge the prevailing religious practices of the time? [19:57]
4. What impact did the translation of the Bible into English by William Tyndale have on the English Reformation and the accessibility of Scripture? [15:28]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you struggled with the question, "How can I be saved?" How did you find assurance in your faith journey? [02:58]
2. Martin Luther's metaphor of marriage highlights the exchange of our sin for Christ's righteousness. How does this understanding of grace change the way you view your relationship with God? [09:35]
3. Richard Sibbes emphasized that our righteousness is found in Christ, not in ourselves. How can this truth provide comfort in moments of self-doubt or guilt? [11:31]
4. John Owen spoke about the self-authenticating nature of the Bible. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in Scripture as the ultimate authority in your life? [13:30]
5. The Reformation revealed the glory of Christ and shifted the focus from human efforts to His sufficiency. How can you apply this perspective to areas of your life where you might be relying on your own strength? [19:57]
6. Thomas Goodwin encouraged believers to look away from themselves and towards the sufficiency of Christ. What practical steps can you take to shift your focus from self-reliance to Christ-reliance in your daily life? [21:49]
7. Consider the legacy of the English Reformers and their call to rediscover the glory of Christ. How can you actively seek to rediscover and rest in Christ's finished work in your spiritual journey? [22:40]

Devotional

Day 1: Justification by Faith Alone as a Gift from Christ
The English Reformers emphasized that salvation is not a result of human effort but a gift from Christ, received through faith alone. This profound insight into the nature of faith and salvation was a cornerstone of the Reformation, challenging the prevailing belief that one could earn God's favor through works. The Reformers, through their writings and sacrifices, highlighted the transformative power of grace, urging believers to rest in the assurance that their righteousness is found in Christ, not in themselves. This understanding continues to inspire and challenge believers to trust in the sufficiency of Christ's work. [01:11]

Galatians 2:16 (ESV): "Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you still trying to earn God's favor through your efforts? How can you begin to rest in the assurance that your righteousness is found in Christ alone today?


Day 2: The Transformative Power of Grace
Martin Luther's metaphor of marriage illustrates the transformative power of grace, where Christ takes our sin and gives us His righteousness. This metaphor highlights the relational aspect of salvation, where believers are united with Christ in a profound and intimate way. Luther's understanding of justification by faith alone transformed the way many viewed grace, shifting the focus from human efforts to the sufficiency and beauty of Christ's work. This realization continues to inspire believers to embrace the gift of salvation and live in the freedom it brings. [09:35]

2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV): "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God."

Reflection: How does the metaphor of marriage change your understanding of your relationship with Christ? What steps can you take to deepen this relationship today?


Day 3: Righteousness Found in Christ
Richard Sibbes emphasized that our righteousness is found in Christ, not in ourselves. His teaching provides comfort and assurance, reminding believers that Christ's righteousness surpasses their sin. This understanding encourages believers to look away from their own shortcomings and rest in the sufficiency of Christ's work. Sibbes' words continue to offer immense comfort to those struggling with feelings of inadequacy, urging them to find their identity and worth in Christ alone. [11:31]

Philippians 3:9 (ESV): "And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith."

Reflection: In what ways do you struggle with feelings of inadequacy? How can you remind yourself today that your worth and identity are found in Christ alone?


Day 4: The Authority of Scripture
John Owen's assertion that the Bible is self-authenticating reinforces the authority of Scripture, encouraging believers to trust in its divine wisdom over human opinions. This understanding challenges believers to prioritize Scripture as the ultimate authority in their lives, guiding their decisions and shaping their beliefs. Owen's teaching continues to inspire confidence in the Bible's divine wisdom, urging believers to seek truth and guidance from its pages. [13:30]

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (ESV): "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."

Reflection: How can you prioritize Scripture as the ultimate authority in your life today? What specific steps can you take to seek guidance and truth from the Bible?


Day 5: The Glory of Christ
The Reformation revealed the glory of Christ, shifting the focus from human efforts to the sufficiency of Christ's work. This message continues to inspire and transform lives, urging believers to rediscover the beauty and sufficiency of Christ's work. The Reformers' legacy is a call to look away from oneself and towards Christ, the source of true peace and delight. This understanding challenges believers to rest in Christ's finished work and live in the freedom it brings. [19:57]

Colossians 1:27-28 (ESV): "To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ."

Reflection: In what ways have you been focusing on your own efforts rather than the sufficiency of Christ's work? How can you begin to rest in the freedom and peace that comes from Christ's finished work today?

Quotes

"Now, I work in central Oxford, and if you peer out of my study window in central Oxford, you can just about see a little cross of brick in the center of the Broad Street, which is one of the main streets in central Oxford. That little stone cross was a place where three Englishmen, Nicholas Ridley, Hugh Latimer, and Thomas Cranmer were burned for their belief in justification by faith alone. That's something if you live in Oxford you can't get away from." [00:00:47]

"And what Luther did in his Reformation discovery is he saw through Romans 1 verse 17 that his understanding of justification had been profoundly wrong and that grace worked in a very, very different way. The first time he positively explained how it is that we can be justified by faith alone, he used the image of a marriage. This was in a little, a little brochure called 'The Freedom of a Christian,' and he told the story of the marriage between a king and a lady of the night, a woman of bad reputation." [00:08:27]

"And this is the picture of the poor and wicked sinner. We give to King Jesus all our sin, our death, our judgment, and He takes it. And then He says, 'All that I am, I give to you. All that I have, I share with you.' And so King Jesus gives to the sinner all His righteousness, meaning, said Luther, that the sinner can confidently display her sins in the face of death and hell and say, 'If I've sinned, yet my Christ in whom I believe has not sinned, and all His is mine, His righteousness. And all mine, my sin is His.'" [00:10:09]

"An Englishman who picked up on this was the great Puritan preacher, Richard Sibbes. They called him 'the heavenly Dr. Sibbes,' 'the honey mouthed.' And he said this, knowing that this is how the bride of Christ relates to Christ, he advised believers, 'Often think with yourself, What am I? I am a poor sinful creature, but I have a righteousness in Christ that answers all. Oh, I am weak in myself, but Christ is strong and I am strong in Him.'" [00:11:07]

"He is mine. His righteousness is mine, which is the righteousness of God-man, and being clothed with this," said Sibbes, "I stand safe against conscience, hell, wrath, and whatsoever. And though I do have daily experience of my sins, yet," Sibbes used this line again and again, "there is more righteousness in Christ, who is mine, than there is sin in me." Isn't that glorious good news?" [00:12:02]

"And John Owen in Volume Four of his works, a little piece called 'The Reason of Faith,' he showed to me something that immediately made sense. He said, 'We know that the Bible is God's Word, not because some Pope tells me I can trust it. Not because some scholar tells me I can trust it. I can trust the Bible is God's infallible Word because God's Word proves itself to be true.'" [00:13:10]

"And as he articulated that, I knew he was right. That what we see in Scripture is a self-evidencing glorious Word from heaven. It illuminates who God is. It illuminates and exposes what I am. It makes sense of the world in a way nothing else does. This is not the wisdom of the world; this is wisdom from heaven. And that belief that Scripture is the supreme authority that trumps scholars, popes, and anyone else, that belief drove a tank through the theology of Europe." [00:14:26]

"I discovered that Jesus Christ is glorious. Glorious in a way I had not conceived beforehand. And this was always the effect of the Reformation. Wherever it went, Christ was seen to be glorious. See, when Martin Luther was growing up, he was brought to see Jesus Christ primarily as an example for us to follow. Now just imagine that's how you see things. You have Jesus Christ, this supremely holy man you try to follow. He is impressive, but you hardly love Him, because He is just blazing out there in front of you, able to live in a way you know you're not." [00:17:44]

"With his Reformation discovery, Luther said this, 'Before you take Christ as an example, you must receive Him as a gift. And when you get that, when people understood that in the days of the Reformation, hearts were turned as people saw a glorious Savior who gives Himself to us through justification by grace alone, through faith alone in Christ. In the Reformation, God was glorified as utterly merciful, holy, good, compassionate, and therefore people could find their comfort and delight in Him." [00:18:41]

"And let me finish by telling you about one of these Puritans, Thomas Goodwin. Thomas Goodwin, when he was about the age I struggled, had very similar struggles. And for seven years, he doubted and struggled until he was told by a wise pastor, 'Stop depending on your own feelings and your own performance for peace with God. Rest on Christ and depend entirely on Him.' And Goodwin said, 'I've come to this pass now. I've trusted too much for signs in my own life. I tell you, Christ is worth all.'" [00:20:49]

"And he said that he felt that many in his own day were like that. He said, 'The minds of many today are so wholly taken up with their own hearts, they're looking in on themselves so much that' he said, 'as the psalmist says of God, 'Christ is scarcely in all their thoughts.'" And so, Goodwin set out to have a ministry of setting forth Christ to draw the eyes of people from themselves, from dependence on other things, to Jesus Christ the sufficient Savior. For only in Him, in Jesus Christ, when we see His glory, will we find both peace and delight." [00:21:49]

"We need men like this today. Turn, I recommend you, to men like Sibbes, Owen, Goodwin. We need more who'll say what Goodwin said on his deathbed, 'Christ cannot love me better than He does. I think I cannot love Christ better than I do.' We need the glory of Christ, and the English Reformers help us there. Thank you very much." [00:22:40]

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Transcript
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