Recently, while visiting a congregation overseas, a visitor asked me whether there was a danger that churches were making Dr Martin Luther the hero of the Reformation and by doing so, inadvertently giving him all the glory rather than God alone. The concern expressed to me probably has some validity, especially when we consider the advertising that has led to celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation.

Unfortunately, not all, but much of the advertising has been centred around Dr Martin Luther and what he did to reform the church. Of course, we shouldn’t belittle what Martin Luther did and some of his insights into Scripture certainly brought about a much needed and necessary reform in the Church. Luther’s ninety-five theses that he nailed on the doors of the Wittenberg Castle are still held in high regard. Luther’s grasp of the original languages gave him great insight into Scripture’s teaching that we are justified by faith alone, in Christ alone, all by grace alone, guided by Scripture alone, all to the glory of God alone. Some of Luther’s other notable writings include his large and small Catechisms; On the Freedom of a Christian; and On the Bondage of the Will; A prelude to the Babylonian Captivity just to mention a few. He also wrote many commentaries that are still referred to today.

Well, before I fall into the trap of making “Luther” the hero of the Reformation, I am reminded of the Apostle Paul’s words in 1 Cor 3:5-7, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe, as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So, neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”

I mean no disrespect to what the reformers Martin Luther or those that came after him including Calvin and Zwingli and others did to reform the Church and it is a reason for thanks to God for raising up such men. However, we could so easily include their names in the above verses, “Who after all is Martin Luther, John Calvin, Ulrich Zwingli, Thomas Cranmer, Albert Mohler, RC Sproul, Tim Keller, John Piper, John MacArthur Jnr, and many others?” With respect, in God’s good timing and in His sovereignty, they have been used to bring the good news of Jesus Christ into this world so that He may receive all the glory for the endless ages to come.

That’s also an emphasis we find throughout Scripture – Isa 42:8; Eph 2:7; Romans 11:36; For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. And again, Romans 16:27; “to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen”. JZ.