Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Reformation" primarily refers to the 16th-century religious movement that led to the establishment of Protestantism and significant changes within the Christian Church. This movement sought to address and rectify various doctrinal and ecclesiastical issues perceived as corrupt or unbiblical within the Roman Catholic Church. Key figures in the Reformation include Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Huldrych Zwingli, among others.
Biblical FoundationsThe Reformation was deeply rooted in a return to the authority of Scripture, encapsulated in the principle of
sola scriptura—Scripture alone as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and practice. Reformers emphasized the need for personal engagement with the Bible, advocating for translations into vernacular languages so that all believers could access God's Word directly. This principle is reflected in passages such as2 Timothy 3:16-17 : "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work."
Justification by Faith
A central theological tenet of the Reformation wassola fide, or justification by faith alone. This doctrine asserts that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ, rather than through human works or merit. This is grounded in passages likeEphesians 2:8-9 : "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."
Priesthood of All Believers
The Reformation also championed the concept of the "priesthood of all believers," which posits that every Christian has direct access to God without the need for an intermediary priesthood. This idea is supported by1 Peter 2:9 : "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."
Impact on Church Practices
The Reformation led to significant changes in church practices and governance. It challenged the authority of the papacy and the hierarchical structure of the Catholic Church, advocating for a return to simpler, more biblically-based forms of worship and church organization. This included the rejection of certain sacraments and rituals not explicitly found in Scripture, as well as a focus on preaching and teaching the Word of God.
Legacy
The Reformation's impact is profound and enduring, leading to the establishment of various Protestant denominations and influencing theological thought, church practices, and the broader cultural landscape. It underscored the importance of Scripture, faith, and grace, shaping the course of Christianity and its expression in the modern world.Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (n.) The act of reforming, or the state of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses.2. (n.) Specifically (Eccl. Hist.), the important religious movement commenced by Luther early in the sixteenth century, which resulted in the formation of the various Protestant churches.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
REFORMATIONref-or-ma'-shun: The word is found only inHebrews 9:10, being the translation of diorthosis, in its only occurrence. This Greek word means etymologically "making straight," and was used of restoring to the normally straight condition that which is crooked or bent. In this passage it means the rectification of conditions, setting things to rights, and is a description of the Messianic time.
Greek
1357. diorthosis -- a correction, a reform... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: diorthosis Phonetic Spelling:
(dee-or'-tho-sis) Short Definition: improvement,
reformation Definition: amendment
...1882. epanorthosis -- correction
... of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: epanorthosis Phonetic Spelling:
(ep-an-or'-tho-sis) Short Definition: correction,reformation Definition: correction...
1357b. diorthosis -- a making straight, rectification
... 1357a, 1357b. diorthosis. 1358 . a making straight, rectification.
Transliteration: diorthosis Short Definition:reformation. Word...
3341. metanoia -- change of mind, repentance
... repentance. From metanoeo; (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including
reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision) -- repentance....
Library
First Principles of theReformation
First Principles of theReformation. <. First Principles of the
Reformation Martin Luther. Table of Contents. Title Page....
John Knox and theReformation
John Knox and theReformation. <. John Knox and theReformation Andrew
Lang. Transcribed from the 1905 Longmans, Green and Co....
Reformation.
...REFORMATION.... It was from causes seemingly fortuitous, and from a source very
inconsiderable, that all the mighty effects of thereformation flowed....
A GodlyReformation
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES A GODLYREFORMATION. 'Hezekiah... commandment.'. Note,
too, in Hezekiah's speech, the true order of religiousreformation....
The Pulpit Of TheReformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3.
The Pulpit Of TheReformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. . The Pulpit Of TheReformation,
Nos. 1, 2 and 3. John Knox. John Knox Table of Contents....
TheReformation in Scotland.
... 87. TheReformation in Scotland. Literature.... Edinburgh, 1719-22, 2 vols. Horatius
Bonar: Catechisms of the ScottishReformation. With Preface and Notes....
The EnglishReformation.
... 76. The EnglishReformation. Literature.... Edited by JR King. London, 1873. II. History
of theReformation in England. (a) Documents and Contemporary Sources....
Reformation
... After the Exile Chapter 57Reformation. [This chapter is based on Nehemiah
13..] Solemnly and publicly the people of Judah had pledged...
The FrenchReformation.
... 12. THE FRENCHREFORMATION. [Illustration: Chapter header.]... In Switzerland,
as in Germany, there came dark days for theReformation....
TheReformation.
... THE CHOSEN PEOPLE. LESSON XXXII. THEREFORMATION. "The Kingdom of Heaven
is like unto a treasure hid in a field.""Matt. xiii.44....
Thesaurus
Reformation (24 Occurrences)... of being reformed; change from worse to better; correction or amendment of life,
manners, or of anything vicious or corrupt; as, the
reformation of manners
...Reformed (5 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Corrected; amended; restored to purity or excellence; said, specifically,
of the whole body of Protestant churches originating in theReformation....
Commentaries
... (2) Chrysostom, etc. 2. Scholastic Period Nicolas de Lyra 3.Reformation and
Post-Reformation Periods (1) Luther and Calvin (2) Beza, Grotius, etc....
Molech (16 Occurrences)
... These high places survived to the time of Josiah, who, among his other works of
religiousreformation, destroyed and defiled them, filling their places with...
Moloch (2 Occurrences)
... These high places survived to the time of Josiah, who, among his other works of
religiousreformation, destroyed and defiled them, filling their places with...
Reform (28 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Amendment of what is defective, vicious, corrupt, or depraved;reformation;
as, reform of elections; reform of government. Int....
Predestination
... This helpful mode of viewing predestination as in Christ, and never outside Him,
had a place in religious thought at theReformation time, as the famous...
Micah (54 Occurrences)
... contents of his first discourse confirm the fact that he prophesied, not only before
the destruction of Samaria, but also before thereformation of Hezekiah...
Levites (267 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy recognized the equal priestly right of all Levites, and Josiah's
reformation placed the sons of Zadok, who were the priests of Jerusalem and not...
Priests (451 Occurrences)
... Deuteronomy recognized the equal priestly right of all Levites, and Josiah's
reformation placed the sons of Zadok, who were the priests of Jerusalem and not...
Resources
What is the New Apostolic Reformation? | GotQuestions.orgIs the Last Reformation movement biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Counter-Reformation? | GotQuestions.orgReformation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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