Jason K. Allen - Sola: How the Five Solas Are Still Reforming the Church

by JASON K. ALLEN

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ISBN: 978-0-8024-1873-9
eBook ISBN: 978-0-8024-9748-2

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With profound appreciation and deep affection, this book is dedicated to my father-and mother-in-law, Clayton and Betty Brunson, who through their steadfast support, helping hands, constant encouragement, and faithful parenting of my then-future wife are one of Gods greatest blessings in my life.

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Ive had the pleasure of visiting the historic town of Wittenberg, Germany, each of the last two years. Being there on the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation was particularly thrilling. In this little town, Martin Luther (and others) changed the world.

The motto of the Reformation was the Latin phrase post tenebras luxthat is, After darkness, light. It was a fitting slogan. The Reformation took place during a spiritually dark time when people were lost in the darkness of corrupt religion, superstition, and idolatry. However, as people heard and read the gospel of grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, many were called out of darkness into Gods marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). Gods Word shone in dark places and new believers were called to live all of life in the light of Gods truth and grace with Scripture alone as their authority and the glory of God alone as their aim.

While Luther was a flawed saint, and certainly not the only person responsible for Reformation, I have always been drawn to him for a number of reasons. I have always been moved and challenged by his humble roots, his colorful personality, his disciplined study habits, his radical conversion, his sincere love for his wife, his devotion to the church, his regular practice of hospitality, his deep appreciation of music, his love for children, and his powerful writing and preaching ministry.

I appreciate how Luther utilized the printing press, and his writings remind us of the power of the pen. Luther published a number of small booklets in the common language of the people, and his pamphlets spread across Germany. He also had some artistic help from Lucas Cranach, as noted in Andrew Pettegrees fascinating book, Brand Luther. You might think of Cranach as the artist of the Reformation. Cranach not only made portraits of the days famous Reformers but also made these little gospel pamphlets artistically attractive.

Regarding Luthers preaching, if you ever visit Wittenberg, you will not want to miss St. Marys Church. St. Marys is not the church where Luther famously nailed his Ninety-Five Theses. It is the other church in town, considered the mother church of the Reformation. At St. Marys, Luther preached from 1514 onward, and there you can still see several paintings from Cranach. At the center of the sanctuary, you can see the Reformation Altarpieces, which are paintings of communion, confession, and other ministries. My favorite is a picture of Luther preaching. It shows Luther with one finger on the text, and the other finger pointing to Christ. And all the people are gazing at the Savior, not their world-famous preacher.

If we are going to see people being led out of darkness into the light today, it will take the same kind of devotion to Christ and His Word. We need millions of faithful ministers that are committed to exalting Jesus from the Scriptures. In a culture that prefers to live according to the rapper Tupacs dark song All Eyez on Me, we need leaders who will redirect everyones attention to the light and say, All eyes on Jesus. The work of evangelism, discipleship, preaching, missions, and church planting all involve centering everything on our all-sufficient Prophet, Priest, and King, Jesus Christ.

I pray that this little book will not only be informative, but also inspiring, as you consider how God used ordinary people during the Reformation to bring about a glorious Christ-centered transformation in churches and in the broader culture. Whos to say the Sovereign Lord will not do something like it again in our dark day? You have some wonderful guidesmen who are deeply devoted to the gospel and the churchwalking you through the five solas to give you such instruction and inspiration.

The historic leaders of the Reformation are gone. They will not preach any more sermons, but living ministers today can preach and teach the five solas to a world that remains in darkness. As we face the darkness, let us not shirk back in fear, but let us minster with an unshakable confidence in the gospel of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone, as testified in Scripture alone to