The Case for Traditional Protestantism

The Case for Traditional Protestantism
by Terry L Johnson
The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh 2004

The content of this excellent Banner of Truth book is probably better described by its subtitle than by its title, as the author ably explains and defends "The Solas of the Reformation" - those rallying cries of the Protestant faith, first heard in the 16th century and still relevant for Christ's church in the 21st century. The book is an interesting mix of church history, historical theology and systematic theology, touching on the history of these doctrines but giving most space to an explanation of the doctrines and their biblical basis. As the author states:

"[The five solas] represent the core commitments of classic Protestantism, modern evangelicalism, and even of 'mere Christianity'. We affirm them, and now review them, not as a historical exercise, but to reaffirm the central commitments of the Christian faith. The solas help uncover the heart of the gospel, illuminating what it means to be a Christian." (p.3).

The book is written in a non-technical, straightforward way that can be read and enjoyed by the whole church. It would be of great benefit to interested teenagers and new Christians seeking to grow and understand more about why we believe what we do and what the alternatives offered by Roman Catholicism really mean. Mature Christians needing a reminder of the essential doctrines of the Protestant faith would also benefit, as would any preacher doing a series on the solas.

There are seven chapters and a valuable appendix on Protestant confessional documents as they concern the key Reformation doctrine of justification by faith alone.

In chapter one, The Evangelical Faith, Johnson gives an overview of the five solas with particular emphasis on the historical aspects. Beginning with Martin Luther's struggle within himself to understand the biblical gospel of salvation by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and how this led to his struggles with the medieval Catholic church and on to the wider Reformation movement across the entire continent of Europe.

The "meat" of the book comes in chapters two to seven where Johnson explains in turn the meaning and importance of Sola Scriptura, Sola Christo, Sola Fide, Sola Gratia, and Sola Deo Gloria, the last being dealt with over two chapters, one concerning "church life" (theology, worship and church government) and the other concerning "everyday life" (family life, culture and society).

Sola Scriptura is a concise treatment of the Protestant doctrine of the plenary and verbal inspiration of the Bible and of the authority of Scripture as the supreme rule of faith and life. Johnson is careful to point out that the historic Protestant position does not denegrate tradition, church authority or human reason - they also are "guides", "checks", "safeguards" for us - but they must all give way to the authority of Scripture when they come into conflict with it.

Solus Christus discusses Christ's life and work giving most emphasis to Christ's saving work on the cross. Johnson gives a good, concise overview of the classic evangelical doctrine of the atonement (that it is penal and substitutionary in nature). He also stresses that Christ is the only Saviour and Head of his Church.

Sola Fide deals with the Protestant doctrine of justification of faith alone. The crucial importance of this doctrine to the Reformation is mentioned but the importance of this doctrine for the church in all ages is not hard to see. It is no less than this: if justification by faith alone is compromised, the gospel of grace is lost.

Sola Gratia explains the doctrine of God's grace in the same clear and straightforward way that Johnson deals with the other doctrines. He defines grace as "the saving favour of God" which in turn leads to "the saving provision of God" and to "the exercise of his converting power".

According to Luther, grace is "the hinge on which all turns." He was right - because if faith is generated from within, if it is in effect a work - something which man does for himself, then salvation is not by God's grace alone. And if salvation is by God's grace alone, then faith is something which God "works" in the heart and mind of man. The two go together and are inseparable in Reformed theology.

The final two chapters on Soli Deo Gloria really describe how the Reformers' rediscovery of the biblical gospel of salvation by grace alone through faith alone, was the engine that drove a total rethinking of how God should be worshipped, how God's church should be governed and so forth. It even resulted in a radical rethink as to what constitutes a good and fulfilling life. Thinking through the changes that the Protestant Reformation made in cultural and social terms was actually one the highlights of the book for this reader and left me understanding better the implications of what Paul wrote:

"For from him, and through him, and to him, are all things. To him be the glory for ever and ever. Amen." (Romans 11:36).

The Meaning of the Christmas Story

This piece originally appeared as the editorial in our church's parish magazine for December 2007.

There can hardly be anybody in the country who doesn’t know the basics of the Christmas story: the donkey, Bethlehem, the inn, the stable, the mother and child, the shepherds, the angels, the star and the wise men. The Christmas story is part of our culture, part of our collective knowledge. Most of us have probably been in a nativity play when we were young at school. Many of us will have heard the story at least once a year at a one church service or carol concert. At some level, most people probably even believe the things in the story are true.

My point is that thinking about the story, knowing the story and even having a vague acceptance of the story is one thing; but it’s understanding the meaning of the Christmas story that matters. It’s when we come to understand what the story is really about that it changes people's lives.

The details of the story are colourful and memorable and many of them add to the meaning of the story, but the two things that are of fundamental importance are: who this baby is and why was he born. They are connected of course – the why he came flows out of who he is. There are two names in particular that the Bible gives to Christ that sum up the essential meaning of Christmas: Immanuel (which is more like a title) and Jesus (his personal first name).

"They shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us)." (Matt 1:23).

"You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." (Matt 1:21).

In other words, the real meaning of Christmas, based on these verses, is that God came to earth as a human being to save his people. Christmas is worth celebrating every year because it marks an incredible event – the God of history entering human history, the Creator’s Son taking on the nature of his highest creature, coming to earth as a man.

He came to follow a path that would take him from the stable to the cross to the empty tomb and back to the throne of heaven as King of kings and Lord of lords. And the point of this divine journey is to save sinners like you and me, to deliver us from all our foolishness, pride, wickedness and selfishness and bring us by his grace to wisdom, humble worship, righteousness and selfless love and service to others. He came to save us from hell. He came to deliver us from death and give us life.

This Immanuel comes to each of us with the message that the God of love is with us. This Jesus comes to each of us with a call to repent and believe in him, to offer us eternal life – life in all its fullness now and life everlasting in the future. This is the Christmas gospel that flows from the events of the Christmas story.

If we can even begin to take in the enormity of this eternal plan, that divine journey, and this gracious offer, how can any of us remain unchanged by it? This gospel changed the world in the past and will go on changing the world until history itself has run its course. So, this Christmas, may we all "Go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which has come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us" (Luke 2:15), giving thanks to God for what he has done for us.