The Reformers Won!

One of the many articles I read this year about the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation simply proclaimed that the Reformers won.

Certainly, the effects of the Reformers has been profound and has influenced pretty much everything about the Church ever since. Even within the Roman Catholic Church the Reformation has been influential. The Reformation has had an effect way beyond the Church and has influenced pretty much everything in western culture (and beyond).

It is one thing to reform something we perceive to be in error or that is broken, it is quite another thing to help bring about God’s realm on Earth. Yes, if it is all just a game, then the Reformers won. But if, as Paul puts it, we are to cross that finish-line together, the Reformation (win, lose or draw) isn’t enough.

The work of the Reformers was important and the language of the worship we used was largely about a need for ongoing reformation. But, I have to wonder if that is what Jesus Christ wants.

I firmly believe in the importance of continual reformation and constant change. When people tell me that we shouldn’t change for change sake, I say, and neither should we stay the same for the sake of staying the same. Reformation (and change) is one step towards the transformation expected of us. Reformation can be about exchanging one set of rules for another, meet the new boss, same as the old boss. The transformation that Jesus Christ calls us to is about valuing everything in terms of its ability to deepen our relationship with God.

I am sorry to say that this is not something any one of us can accomplish by ourselves. The language of accomplishment, win or lose, has no place or particular meaning in God’s realm. Salvation is, after all, something God does and if we want to be a part of it then there is only one way… community. Letting go of me and my self-importance in favour of others is the transformation our church, our society needs.