Liberal or conservative. Progressive or traditional. Jew or Gentile. Much of the history of the Christian church has been dominated by discussions that lump people into one camp or another, often forcing individuals—or entire groups of people—to choose sides, and creating deep division between friends, co-workers, and even within families. Sometimes it seems as though most of our dialogue about church comes around to discussions about “us” and “them.” But surely there is a more productive, Biblical model for discussion that doesn’t force people into opposing camps.
Apparently, even the Protestant reformers faced this kind of dilemma. A friend reminded me recently that most of church history centers around people who were getting into trouble with the religious establishment of their day. And yet the Reformers have gone down in history for changing the face of the Church around the world.
Given the tensions in our current social and political world, one might wonder what advice the Reformers might have to share with the Church today. Nicholas P. Miller, invites his readers to consider this question in his book, The Reformation and the Remnant: The Reformers Speak to Today’s Church. This book is summarized as follows:
"In The Reformation and the Remnant, author Nicholas Miller examines crucial issues and questions facing the Adventist Church today through the lenses provided by the thoughts and ideas of various Protestant reformers. Miller discusses such topics as biblical authority and inspiration, the great controversy theme, religious liberty and public morality, last day events and Sunday laws, and righteousness by faith and perfection, as he reveals why the ideas that shaped the Christian church still matter."
Along with Dr. Miller's text, we will also give our attention to Hebrews 12:1-2 this week as we consider "The Reformation and the Remnant."