God’s Plan of Reformation: The Historical Context of the Sixteenth-Century Reformation
Dykstra examines the sixteenth-century Reformation as a demonstration of God's sovereign control over history, providing context for understanding how the medieval church fell into apostasy and corruption. The article emphasizes the theological errors—particularly regarding salvation by works rather than grace—that necessitated the Reformed recovery of biblical doctrine, viewing the Reformation as God's providential work to restore His church to purity.
The sixteenth-century Reformation is one of the most significant events in the history of the world. Its far-reaching impact was manifest not only in the church, but on nations, cultures, governments, and economies. The world changed in 1517. These broad changes make it important to investigate the context of a movement that could have such drastic effects. Obviously, a brief article on this topic cannot be exhaustive. It can only skim the surface of this fascinating topic. The purpose of the...
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