Series: The Reformation and the Remnant
Message: Why Listen to the Reformers?
Preacher: Nicholas Miller
Daily Walk: Elia King

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 73:15-20.

Read: Hebrews 12:1-2 (ESV). As you read the English Standard Version, note 1-3 insights or questions that arise from the text.

Reflect:  In The Reformation and the Remnant, Nick Miller opens with a statement about faith recorded in the book of Hebrews:

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”

Miller then poses a series of questions that lay the groundwork for the rest of his book:

“The classical Protestant reformers have been dead for centuries now. What would they say to today’s church? And why should we listen to them? Wouldn’t such a study be primarily a review of human opinion and church tradition—the very thing that the Reformers opposed? So, shouldn’t we all just study the Bible directly for ourselves?”

In the chapter that follows, Miller makes the case that understanding the Bible absolutely requires individual study, but is done best in the context of Spirit-led conversation with others.

“Frequently, the Holy Spirit provides that guidance through people. Many, if not most, people who have become members of our church have learned the truths of the Bible from a lay member of the church or from a pastor or other leader who shared what the Bible says by holding public meetings or Bible studies. Indeed, God promises that Jesus is present in a special way when groups of believers gather together to study His Word (see Matthew 18:20). Biblical stories reveal that this promise includes Bible study as well as prayer and worship.”

The author cautions readers to avoid extreme approaches that are either too liberal or too fundamental, but to adopt a “third way” that was characteristic of early Adventism.

Recalibrate: ​ 

1. Did Jesus have to wrestle with both conservative and liberal extremes among the religious authorities of His day? Read the story of Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4:7–27), and discuss how the story illustrates Jesus’ response to both conservative and liberal extremes.

Respond: Pray for an opportunity to talk about the Bible this week with someone outside your faith tradition.

Research: Read the introduction and chapter one of The Reformation and the Remnant