On October 31, 2017 it will be 500 years since Martin Luther fastened his famous 95 theses to the door of the Wittenberg Castle church. In these theses Luther, a relatively insignificant monk, proposed a series of questions and propositions for discussion — questions which seriously challenged the doctrines of the then-dominant Roman Catholic church. The theses were written in a questioning, rather than an accusing, tone, for Luther’s intention was reform of the church, not separation from it. But his questions and subsequent teachings eventually formed the backbone of the reformation.
The name of “Protestant” did not actually come about until several years later, and derives from the protests made by German princes at the Second Diet of Speyer in 1529. The Diet had voted to end the toleration of those who followed the teachings of Martin Luther within Germany, but by this time there was a concerted movement that supported Luther. Unable to overturn the edict, a number of the princes drew up a protest and presented it to the emperor. Among other terms, it contained the words, “We are determined by God’s grace and aid to abide by God’s Word alone.” The term “Protestant” found its way into the English language about 1553. Within only a few more years, this German “protest” had spread to England, Scotland, the Netherlands, France, parts of Eastern Europe and even outposts in Spain, Italy, and other centers of continuing Catholic strength. Within less than a century, Protestants had established European beachheads in the New World.
The Reformation
The reformation was truly a work of God, as He graciously raised up faithful men to bring back the truth of the gospel, and to overturn the Roman Catholic doctrine of salvation by works. All this really began about 100 years before Luther, with those like Jan Hus of Bohemia and John Wycliffe of England. But the real impetus for the reformation came in the early 16th century with men like Luther, Calvin, Farel, Zwingli, Bucer, and others.
In saying this, it is most important to distinguish between the reformation and Protestantism, for while the reformation was a work of God, the movement called Protestantism was not. But Protestantism has molded the world since it began, having spread widely among most of the Western nations, and ultimately to other areas of the world as well. (There are probably more “Protestants” in so-called “third-world” countries today than in Europe and North America.) It comprises a wide variety of groups, ranging all the way from Lutherans, Baptists, Anglicans and Methodists to somewhat peripheral groups such as Seventh Day Adventists and Jehovah Witnesses. Their doctrines vary greatly, but they fall under the umbrella of Protestantism in unitedly rejecting the authority of the pope. Why then do we say that the reformation was a work of God, but Protestantism was not?
The Protestant Witness
First of all, by its very name, the appellation “Protestant” implies a witnessing against something, in this case the authority of the Pope. While it is true that we have a responsibility to witness against evil, what we witness against should never outweigh what we witness for. Scripture not only tells us to “cease to do evil,” but also reminds us to “learn to do well” (Isa. 1:16-1716Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; 17Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. (Isaiah 1:16‑17)). It is here that Protestantism fell short, for while they rejected many of the evil doctrines of Roman Catholicism, they did not, for the most part, search the Scriptures in order to learn the whole truth of God. They believed the Word of God for salvation by faith, but did not go far enough to embrace the truth of the church.
The Breakup
The result of this was that Protestantism proceeded to duplicate many of the errors of Rome, while continuing a united front against the authority of the Pope. The movement broke up into national churches, or churches formed on the teachings of an outstanding leader. Churches were also formed to emphasize certain doctrines — doctrines which were accentuated at the expense of other equally important truths. Presbyterians emphasized the rule of elders; Congregationalists emphasized rule by majority vote. The Christian Missionary Alliance church was formed expressly to undertake foreign mission work, while the Salvation Army sought to rescue alcoholics and the homeless. The Anglican Church continued with most of the wrong teachings of Rome, but replaced the Pope with the reigning sovereign of Britain.
Later more serious errors crept in, as systems like Seventh Day Adventism and Christian Science claimed that the writings of their leaders were inspired, and thus were as reliable as the Bible. Needless to say, bad doctrines abounded, as both the Person and work of Christ were attacked. All of this was instrumental in forming what Paul terms “a great house” that contained “not only vessels of gold and of silver” [true believers], but also “of wood and of earth” [unbelievers] (2 Tim. 2:2020But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. (2 Timothy 2:20)).
The Mixture
It is easy to see that this mixture of believers and unbelievers had a very deleterious effect. Outward form took the place of reality, and men could exercise a great deal of influence without even being saved. As we might expect, there was also a failure to separate from the world. National churches were quite naturally involved in national pride, while the mixture of believers and unbelievers in most churches fostered a worldly attitude, dragging any true believers down to the level of the world. Churches became involved in politics, and worse still, in war, as each claimed that God was with them.
Along with all this, many churches received support from secular governments, and thus were beholden to them. Church leaders were expected to make political pronouncements, and to take part in the affairs of the nation of which they were a part. Of course, all this has had its problems too, In commenting on a recent book, “Protestants: The Faith that made the Modern World,” by Alec Ryrie, Time magazine notes that “one moral of [the book] Protestants is that attachment to political issues has tended to leave Protestant movements ‘running out of steam’ religiously.” All this only echoes the comment of a well-known brother, to the effect that “when the church loses the sense of her heavenly calling, humanly speaking, she loses everything.”
Viewed by God
God’s comment on Protestantism is found in Revelation 3:11And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (Revelation 3:1), where He says, “Thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.” The name was there, but not the reality, for many were mere dead professors. But all was not lost. The Lord notes that there are “a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments” (Rev. 3:44Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4)), and we thank the Lord for those who are true, even in systems that may be largely composed of unbelievers. Also, we pay tribute to the many who, not knowing the whole truth of God, lived up to the light they had in Protestantism. Many were mightily used of the Lord, especially in hymn writing. Such individuals as Isaac Watts, Horatius Bonar, Thomas Kelly, and Mary Bowley, to name a few, all lived and died in Protestant churches, yet wrote some of the most scriptural and uplifting hymns.
The Heavenly Calling
Also, God did not leave Protestantism without a strong witness to the truth of the church. Almost 200 years ago, He raised up men who were used to bring back the truth of the church, and to act on it. The result was a movement that affected all of Christendom, as truths such as the heavenly calling of the church, the leading of the Holy Spirit in the assembly, the imminent return of the Lord Jesus for His church, and many others, were clearly brought out. Many left their ecclesiastical associations simply to gather to the name of the Lord Jesus. Sad to say, the movement today termed “evangelicalism” enjoys many of these precious truths, but fails to take the despised position of being outside organized religion. Thus, in the U.S.A., we find evangelicals taking a large part in the political life of the country, and often embracing covenant theology, which holds that believers must “change the world,” and get it ready for the coming kingdom.
The End of Protestantism
But what will be the end of Protestantism? We know that every true believer among them will be caught up at the Lord’s coming. But those left behind will become part of the Laodicean company, and those who say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing” (Rev. 3:1717Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: (Revelation 3:17)). More than this, they will eventually go right back where they started — into the Roman Catholic system. The ecumenical movement of today will eventually see all that is left of the Protestant churches reunited with Rome, and under her control. The false church will be the religious Babylon which the Lord will destroy, and typified by a woman who will, for a time, control the political system of the Roman beast (Revelation 17). Eventually she will be overthrown, for we read, “With violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all” (Rev. 18:2121And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. (Revelation 18:21)).
The word for the believer today is the same as it will be in that awful time — ”Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins” (Rev. 18:44And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. (Revelation 18:4)). Separation from what is not according to God’s Word is the pathway of blessing for us, at any time.
W. J. Prost