Because the Bible tells me so, because...

Published: Oct. 9, 2016, 10 a.m.

Back in 1517, something happened that didn't just change the church. It changed the whole world with it. It's known as the Lutheran Reformation. 499 years later ("ID" in Roman numerals), the same truths that started it all are still the heart and core of our identity as a church. Most importantly, they still offer unequaled peace, joy, and hope to sinners. This week we see that God lays claim to be the first and final word on matters of faith and life. 499 years ago the main source of spiritual authority was found in man-made opinion and tradition. Today our authorities have new names—pop psychology, political ideals, popular demand—but they share a flaw five centuries old: they offer no true hope in the way divine revelation can. We only have salvation by Scripture alone.