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of straw" because James 2:24 specifically states, "for we are not justified by faith alone."

Again, oddly enough to us, the Catholic Church was in the right on a key point: justification meant being made a child of God and being called to live life as a faithful child of God through faith working in love. Ephesians 2:8-10 clarified that faith-which we must have-was a gift from God, not because of our works, so that no one could boast; and that faith enabled us to do the good works God had planned for us to do. At the same time, faith was a gift from God and our obedient response to the mercy of God.

The other concept of sola scriptura was another fundamental key in the split of the Church. But where in the Bible does it teach that scripture alone should be our only authority? In other words, where is sola scriptura in scripture? As you know sola scriptura says that the Bible alone has all the answers needed for the faith, and not the popes, Church councils, or Tradition.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, "All Scripture is inspired 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." But Timothy said "all Scripture" and not "only Scripture" is profitable. Prayer, evangelizing and many other things are also essential. 2 Thessalonians 2:15 also states, "So then, Brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught by us, either by word of mouth or by letter."

Scripture is written by the hand of God and Luther doubted that hand as he doubted the belief of the Church on certain aspects of Scripture. This caused disastrous ramifications that split and re-split the Church into, what is today 250,000 Protestant denominations worldwide.

Numerous reformers started popping up to reform the Church of the Reformation such as John Calvin, John Wesley, etc. For them, the major church that rose out of the Reformation needed further change, and based on their own dissatisfactions with Holy Scripture, began to form their own arguments, which led to their own brand of Christianity. You see the whole stupidity of the whole matter?

In fact, King Henry VIII who wanted a divorce that the Pope of the day would not grant decided to declare himself Supreme Head on earth of the Church of England (the Anglican Church). Sir Thomas More refused to say that Henry was the Supreme Head on earth and had his head chopped off. Although he had closed monasteries and religious houses (Henry) he did not make any major change in doctrine and worship. But during his son's (Edward VI) reign, it was forbidden to say Mass in the Roman Catholic way. You see how influential a human being can be, which can lead to the tarnishing of God's established ordinances? And it was so that Anglicanism was born.

The Church had its flaws prior to Luther's Reformation. Scripture did not have a single flaw. However, it was the man-made flaws which had been spread to the masses in those days and the Reformation gained momentum.

I could go on and on about the happenings back in those days. There is so much more about that period in the life of the Church that is worth mentioning here but space will not allow me.

Luther who did not want to form a brand new church, and loved devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mass, and many other Catholic practices, might not even recognize the same church today that he founded' back then.

Learn more about this author, Lashawn Alladin.
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