What's the Big Deal with the Reformation?

Man’s work faileth, Christ’s availeth,
He is all our righteousness;
He, our Savior, has forever
Set us free from dark distress.
Through His merit we inherit
Light and peace and happiness.
- Venantius Fortunatus, c. 530-609

“Any true Christian, whether living or dead, participates in all the blessings of Christ and the church; and this is granted him by God, even without indulgence letters.”

- Thesis #37, nailed by Martin Luther on the Castle Church door at Wittenberg, October 10th, 1517

"The righteous shall live by faith."

- Romans 1:17b

“I greatly longed to understand Paul’s Epistle to the Romans and nothing stood in the way but that one expression, “the justice of God,” because I took it to mean that justice whereby God is just and deals justly in punishing the unjust. My situation was that, although an impeccable monk, I stood before God as a sinner troubled in conscience, and I had no confidence that my merit would assuage him. Therefore I did not love a just and angry God, but rather hated and murmured against him. Yet I clung to the dear Paul and had a great yearning to know what he meant. Night and day I pondered until I saw the connection between the justice of God and the statement that ‘the just shall live by his faith.’ Then I grasped that the justice of God is that righteousness by which through grace and sheer mercy God justifies us through faith. Thereupon I felt myself to be reborn and to have gone through open doors into paradise. The whole of Scripture took on a new meaning, and whereas the ‘justice of God’ had filled me with hate, now it became to me inexpressively sweet in greater love. This passage of Paul became to me a gate of heaven….”

- Martin Luther, Luther’s Works, Volume 34, p. 337


490 years ago this Wednesday, on October 31, 1517, the sound of a hammer could be heard in Wittenberg, Germany as an Augustinian monk nailed a piece of parchment to the door at Castle Church. On that parchment, written in Latin, were Luther’s complaints. They were meant to spark an intramural debate, but instead sparked a wildfire that would spread throughout the world. The topics essentially covered three areas – 1) Whether the church ought to spend money on extravagance. 2) Whether the pope could exercise powers over purgatory. 3) And the effect of indulgences pertaining to the standing of a sinner before God. The first two topics would have escaped without too much notice. It was the last topic that got Luther into great trouble. His own mind was the battleground and the stakes were high. The question was excruciating, “How can sinful man be reconciled to a holy God?” The answer, found in the book of Romans, was Luther’s gate of heaven. When Luther understood that his right-standing before God was solely based upon the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ by faith alone, he felt himself reborn. The gospel broke in on his heart with the force of the dawn of a new day. The gospel, rightly apprehended (through Christ alone, by faith alone, and through grace alone) and rightly understood (through Scripture alone), changed everything.

A lot has happened in almost 500 years. Today, the Reformational (and I believe biblical) understanding of the doctrine of justification by faith is under assault. The inference is that we have misunderstood Paul and the Scriptures. The inference is that we have misunderstood the gospel. But, what difference does this make? Is all of this an academic debate better handled by ivory-tower theologians? R. Scott Clark makes the connection between the attack on the biblical view of justification and the church in his book, Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry. Clark’s point should be heeded. An attack upon justification and the imputation of Christ’s righteousness will wreak terrible havoc in the life of the church. Clark writes,

“Each (church member) needs to see the true magnitude of his or her offense toward God, the abundance of God’s mercy in erasing that debt through the cross of Christ, and the invincible assurance of God’s approval, grounded on the imputed righteousness of Jesus. As these truths grip their hearts (which often results not from an instantaneous change but from a prolonged struggle) defenses can fall, sins can be confessed (genuinely, not merely as a step in a required formula), forgiveness can flow, and hope can rekindle.”

- R. Scott Clark, Covenant, Justification, and Pastoral Ministry, p. 426

We have much to be grateful for and much to be vigilant about this Reformation Day. After 490 years I thank God for Martin Luther. I thank God for the vexation of soul that brought about an understanding of justification by faith in the imputed righteousness of Christ. This was an understanding that broke through the darkness of performance-based acceptability and shone the sovereign grace gospel in all of its glorious radiance. When you and I trust solely in the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ for our acceptance before God we embrace biblical Christianity and become true heirs of the Reformation.

Soli Deo Gloria!

The Gathering Storm

‘The fool says in his heart, "There is no God.’

-Psalm 14:1

“That God does not exist, I cannot deny, That my whole being cries out for God I cannot forget.”

-Jean-Paul Sartre

“There is within the human mind, and indeed by natural instinct, an awareness of divinity. This we take to be beyond controversy. To prevent anyone from taking refuge in the pretense of ignorance, God himself has implanted in all men a certain understanding of his divine majesty. Ever renewing its memory, he repeatedly sheds fresh drops. Since, therefore, men one and all perceive that there is a God and that he is their Maker, they are condemned by their own testimony because they have failed to honor him and consecrate their lives to his will.”

-John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 1, chapter 3, section 1

“Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."”

- John 20:29


Recently I’ve been intrigued by the writing and lectures of a few outspoken atheists, particularly Christopher Hitchens (God is Not Great) and Richard Dawkins (The God Delusion). Both men are brilliant, with Hitchens being a prolific journalist and Dawkins being an evolutionary scientist. Their withering criticisms seem directly aimed at Christianity, but Hitchens’ view of religion in general is thus, “…all religious belief is sinister and infantile.”[1] Both Hitchens and Dawkins often use ad hominem attack and take aim directly at anyone who resists the “enlightenment” of atheism. I have to admit that at times their perception of the Christian faith and much in evangelicalism is sobering. These men are gaining an increasing hearing and are growing in their influence. My suspicion is that their outspokenness will eventually make its way to the church and our families and it should not surprise us. Hitchens and Dawkins will likely become the spokesmen for a new generation of antagonism towards Christianity. Like a gathering storm there are dark clouds on the horizon. As I’ve thought about it there are a few helpful things for me to remember –

1) Even in their vehement opposition to Christianity and their vitriol against God both Hitchens and Dawkins are not without an internal witness to the existence of God. God has squarely stamped the knowledge of Himself in their unregenerate hearts, so that even they are without excuse (Romans 1:18-21).

2) Neither Hitchens or Dawkins are beyond the reach of the gospel. I remember reading about the late-life recalcitrance of atheist philosophers Antony Flew[2] and Jean Paul Sartre[3]. The immanence of death has a way of cutting through the fog of academic arrogance. Perhaps God will be merciful to either or both Hitchens and Dawkins.

3) Significant opposition to the Christian faith should come as no surprise. In a recent article on John Piper’s web site there is an exposition of Matthew 10:16-31 and in it he makes this statement, “Jesus died in our place so that we might escape the wrath of God, not the wrath of man. He was called to suffer for the sake of propitiation; we are called to suffer for the sake of propagation.”[4] We should expect resistance to the gospel. It will always be foolishness to those who do not believe.

4) We must be wise in how we carry ourselves as Christians. We must not let our behavior (and not the offense of the gospel) serve as a stumbling block for people’s belief in the Savior. We must be disciples whose lives are characterized by sacrifice, love, obedience and humility.

As we plant this church we should expect resistance from every quarter. We should expect vigorous opposition from our relationships within, from outsiders, and from every conceivable source. Satan and his minions will not be pleased that another gospel witness is on display in Vancouver, Washington. And even in the vortex of opposition we should take great comfort in the assurance that we are not alone in our endeavors. Christ has promised to be with us until the end (Matthew 28:20).

Grateful for truth and the promise of Christ’s presence, Dan


[1] http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4515474/
[2] http://www.biola.edu/antonyflew/page2.cfm
[3] “Revelations du philosophe catholique Jean Guitton” Paris Match, cited by John Woodbridge in The Mark of Jesus
[4] http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/2007/2449_I_Am_Sending_You_Out_as_Sheep_in_the_Midst_of_Wolves/

Gospel Joy

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

-Psalm 16:11

“And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.”

-Isaiah 51:11

“But the fruit of the Spirit is … joy…”

-Galatians 5:22

“Joy is the ability to take good cheer from the gospel.”

-Philip Ryken, Commentary on Galatians 5:22


When I get discouraged and downcast it’s because I’ve displaced the gospel. In my sinfulness I’ve re-calibrated my gaze to a low horizon. Self and circumstances have become objects within my trajectory. I become the measure and circumstance becomes the sovereign determiner of fate, and it doesn’t take long before both create a black hole from which escape becomes increasingly difficult.

The book of Luke begins with great joy (2:10) and ends with great joy (24:52). Luke 2:10 is protological, meaning the beginning or origin of great joy is found in the Incarnation, and Luke 24:52 is eschatological, meaning the end or consummation of great joy is found in the finished work of the Savior and His ascension into heaven. Between these two bookends in Luke we are shown the unparalleled crown of redemptive history as the source of great joy. In Luke 2 the angels announce it, but having never known sin they will never experience it. And in Luke 24 the disciples and the whole world (in the ever-increasing expanse of the gospel) will experience it. Great joy has come because Christ has come. Men and women are no longer unequivocally bound under the wrath and judgment of God. The substitutionary Lamb has come and there is cause for exuberant rejoicing. This is no stifled titter, this is exponential joy. It is no wonder that Paul says that joy is an indicator of the active ministry of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), because in a very real sense the Holy Spirit becomes the purveyor of great joy to the Christian. In Trinitarian celebration the Holy Spirit declares Christ’s work worthy and commends to the Christian unequalled rejoicing. Christ’s work has been accomplished and great joy has come. For me to rejoice with great joy is for me to agree with the Holy Spirit in celebration of Christ’s work. The Holy Spirit will be no party to a dirge. The Bridegroom has come and the celebration has begun. In the gospel God is for me and joy is it’s effect. My judgment was borne by the Substitute and hostilities have ceased, but this is no mere tentative cease-fire. Instead, a permanent reconciliation has been assured and this is the source of unbounded exultation. The Savior has come. The Redeemer’s work has been accomplished and subsequently validated in the resurrection. My sins have been forgiven. I have peace with God. Let great joy begin.

Joyful because of Christ, Dan

Christ's Humiliation and My Humility

“God is decisively drawn to humility.”

– C.J. Mahaney, Humility, p. 20

“Where God’s Spirit does not reign, there is no humility, and men ever swell with inward pride.”

–John Calvin, Commentary on Habakkuk-Haggai, p. 52

‘Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."’

- 1 Peter 5:5


I am an arrogant man; just ask my wife and kids and anyone who knows me well. There is a vein of pride and arrogance that runs deeply through my heart. At times it’s as obvious to me as the nose on my face and at other times I cannot see it to save my life. When I’m blindly arrogant I can justify anything I want, say anything I want, and do anything I want. And when needed I can even sanctify my behavior with religious talk. In those times criticism masquerades as discernment, suspicion masquerades as genuine concern, and gossip and slander masquerade as words to the wise. And behind the mask indwelling sin masquerading as arrogance blinds me to the truth.

A number of years ago we had a dear friend who served us as our pastor. Over a length of time I began to question everything he would do. And soon I found it easy to talk about him disparagingly to others. I colored others’ impression of him. I second-guessed his intentions. I found suspicion in his motives, and generally bore him ill-will. I grossly violated the ninth commandment and had nary a twinge of conscience. My arrogance blinded me. Then one day I remember being convicted of my wicked behavior towards this man. The blindness lifted and I was able to see my arrogance and sin for what it really was. I was ashamed of the things I had thought and said and knew I must make my confession known not only to God, but to this man. I called him and asked if we could talk and he graciously agreed. When we met later that day a dam burst. Confession and tears flowed freely. I confessed my sin toward him and asked for forgiveness. He was quick to forgive and thanked me for my confession. He was a humble man and finally I could see clearly again.

I want to be in the well-worn path of grace. I want to be in the path where God is pleased to bestow abundant mercy, in the frequently trod place where humility reigns supreme. I cannot arrive there, nor can I stay there, without a God-given apprehension of the Humble King, whose confounding humiliation on the Cross deals the death-blow to my arrogance. In my own strength I will ever and always be an arrogant man, but in casting my only hope upon the Savior I can be freed from the blinding bondage of arrogance and pride. I am a great sinner in need of a great Savior. Jesus, the humble servant Savior, is exactly who I need.

Desperate for grace, Dan