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The Protestant Reformation and the Recovery of the Gospel
The Protestant Reformation called the church back to the authority of Scripture and the gospel of Jesus Christ. In this episode, Dave Jenkins explains why reform was needed, the importance of justification by faith alone in Christ alone, and why every generation must remain faithful to God’s Word.
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The Protestant Reformation and Biblical Authority
One of the central issues of the Protestant Reformation was authority. What governs the church’s teaching and practice? The Reformers called the church back to Scripture as its final authority, insisting that human traditions and church leaders must be evaluated according to God’s Word.
This concern remains relevant today. Christians must test what they hear and believe by Scripture and remain committed to the gospel revealed in its pages.
The Recovery of Justification by Faith Alone
At the heart of the Reformation was the recovery of justification by faith alone in Christ alone. Salvation is not earned through religious performance, purchased, or achieved through personal accomplishments. It is a gift of God’s grace received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Romans 1:16–17 points believers to the gospel and declares that the righteous shall live by faith. Galatians 1:6–9 warns against abandoning the true gospel for a false one.
Why the Protestant Reformation Still Matters
Questions about authority, salvation, and the gospel have not disappeared. The Reformation reminds Christians that the church’s beliefs and practices must continually be examined and brought into conformity with Scripture.
Its legacy calls us to keep God’s Word as our authority, Christ at the center, and the gospel of grace clear in our teaching and daily lives.
In This Episode
- The doctrinal problems that prompted the need for reform.
- Scripture as the final authority for faith and practice.
- Justification by faith alone in Christ alone.
- The continuing relevance of the Reformation.
- Remaining faithful to biblical truth in our generation.
Key Scripture References
- Galatians 1:6–9
- Romans 1:16–17
Dave Jenkins is happily married to his wife, Sarah, and lives in beautiful Southern Oregon. He is a writer, editor, and speaker who loves Christ, His people, the Church, and sound theology.
Dave serves as the Executive Director of Servants of Grace Ministries and the Executive Editor of Theology for Life Magazine. He is the Host and Producer of the Equipping You in Grace Podcast and a contributor to and producer of Contending for the Word.
He is the author of The War of Worldviews: Truth, Lies, and the Battle for the Christian Mind (Theology for Life, 2026), Contentment: The Journey of a Lifetime (Theology for Life, 2024), The Word Matters: Defending Biblical Authority Against the Spirit of the Age and The Word Explored: The Problem of Biblical Illiteracy and What To Do About It (House to House, 2021).
You can connect with Dave on Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, or subscribe to his newsletter.
When he is not engaged in ministry work, Dave enjoys spending time with his wife, going to movies, sharing a meal at a favorite restaurant, or playing a round of golf with friends. He is also a voracious reader, particularly of Reformed theology and the Puritans, and is often found working through a stack of new books from a wide range of Christian publishers.
Dave earned his M.A.R. and M.Div. from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
