어린 시절부터 교회에 있는 것이 참 좋았습니다. 교회는 저의 집이고 놀이터이고, 또 학교였습니다. 주일뿐만 아니라 주중에도 예배가 늘 있었고, 어머니와 함께 장년 예배까지 드리며 신앙을 배웠습니다. 제가 가진 신학과 신앙 그리고 그것으로부터 흘러나오는 태도는 교회로부터 배운 것입니다.
그럼에도 불구하고 교회에서 자라면서 아쉬웠던 것은, 체계적인 양육이 부족했다는 것입니다. 많이 배웠지만 그럼에도 불구하고 여전히 마음에 갈급함이 있었습니다. 단순히 성경의 정보를 외우는 암기식 교육이 아니라, 성경을 깊이 이해하고 저의 삶에 풍성하게 녹여내고자 하는 갈망이 제 마음 안에 늘 있었습니다.
성도의 양육과 성장에 대한 답을 찾기 위해 유학을 시작했습니다. 청년 시절에 접한 크리스천 북클럽의 장점을 구체화시키고 학문적으로 체계를 잡는 긴 여행이었습니다. 공부하는 동안 끊임없이 북클럽을 목회에 적용했습니다. 그리고 그토록 제가 갈망하던 성도님들의 성장과 행복을 많은 순간 발견하였습니다.
지금 볼티모어교회에서 섬기는 모든 것은, 그간의 저의 고민과 목회적 여정을 담은 결과입니다. 볼티모어교회는 크리스천 북클럽을 기반으로 양육이 이루어지는 교회입니다. 가치 있는 신앙 서적을 함께 나누는 은샘북클럽이 있고, 모든 성도님들이 부담 없이 참여할 수 있는, 그럼에도 불구하고 깊이가 있는 북클럽 기반의 구역 모임이 있습니다.
볼티모어교회에 부임한 이후에, 바로 리더 양육을 시작했습니다. 교회의 부흥과 성장은 담임목사 혼자의 능력으로 이루어지는 것이 아니라, 모든 성도님들의 영적 성장을 바탕으로 해야 한다는 확신이 있었기 때문입니다. 그리고 참으로 감사한 것은, 모든 구역 리더분들께서 최선을 다해서 자신의 역할을 감당해오셨고 교회의 영적 성장을 위해서 힘을 써 주셨다는 것입니다. 저는 그런 면에서 저희 교회 리더분들이 너무나 자랑스럽습니다.
크리스천 북클럽은 결코 어렵지 않습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 엄청난 깊이를 가지고 있습니다. 참여자의 역할, 인도자의 역할, 나눔과 피드백 등은 풍성한 신학적 그리고 실제적인 의미를 가지고 있습니다. 목회 현장에서 모든 것을 다 설명할 수는 없기에, 최소한의 것을 최선을 다해 설명하고 지금까지 교회를 섬겼습니다.
그리고 이번에 3년 동안의 준비 과정을 거쳐 저의 책이 출간되었습니다. 하나님께서 선하게 인도하셨고, 이레서원이라는 좋은 출판사의 도움과 격려가 있었습니다. 책 준비만 3년이 걸렸지만, 실제로는 저의 스무살 북클럽이 시작된 그 순간부터 지금까지의 26년의 여정을 담은 책입니다.
볼티모어교회 담임목사로서 사랑하는 성도님들과 이 책을 나눌 수 있어서 참으로 감사한 마음입니다. 도서실을 통해서 가능하신 대로 구입하시고 꼭 정독하시면 좋겠습니다. 그동안 제 마음에 담아 두었던 모든 것들을 읽어 보실 수 있습니다. 볼티모어교회가 나아가는 핵심적인 방향을 함께 공유하시고 동참하실 수 있습니다. 저와 믿음의 길을 동행하시는 사랑하는 성도님들께 감사드리고, 앞으로도 진실한 발걸음을 함께 걸어가기를 원합니다.
Since childhood, I loved being in the church. It was my home, playground, and school. Through worship and the life of the church, I learned the faith and theology that have shaped who I am today.
At the same time, I longed for deeper and more systematic spiritual formation—not just memorizing biblical knowledge, but understanding Scripture deeply and applying it to life.
This desire led me to study abroad and to further develop the idea of Christian book clubs that I first encountered in my youth. Throughout my studies, I continually applied this ministry in the church and witnessed many moments of spiritual growth and joy among believers.
What we are doing now at Baltimore Church is the fruit of that journey. Our church is built on discipleship through Christian book clubs, including the Eunsaem Book Club and book-club-based small groups where members can grow deeply together.
When I first came to Baltimore Church, I focused on leadership training because I believe true church growth does not come from the pastor alone, but through the spiritual growth of all members. I am deeply thankful for our leaders who have faithfully served and helped build up the church.
Christian book clubs are not difficult, yet they carry great depth. Through participation, discussion, and feedback, believers experience meaningful theological and practical growth.
After three years of preparation, my book has now been published with the encouragement of Ire Seowon . Though the writing process took three years, it reflects a 26-year journey that began when I first started a book club at the age of twenty.
As the senior pastor of Baltimore Church, I am grateful to share this book with our church family. I hope many of you will read it carefully, as it contains the vision and direction that shape our ministry together.
Thank you for walking this journey of faith with me. I pray that we will continue to walk forward together with sincerity before God.
교회는 성도님들의 수고로 세워집니다. 이 단순한 한 마디 속에는 많은 분들의 눈물과 땀이 들어가 있습니다. 저의 양가 부모님께서도 지금까지 교회를 위해서 수고를 많이 하셨습니다. 그래서 저는 주일에 점심을 먹을 때 마다 마음이 뭉클하고 사실은 마음이 무겁습니다. 성도님들의 수고를 먹는 것이기 때문입니다. 교회 부엌에서 허리가 굽어지도록 일하신 저의 어머니가 생각이 납니다.
저도 젊은 시절 누구보다 더 열심히 교회를 섬겼습니다. 지금도 마찬가지이지만 주말을 저를 위해서 쓰지 않고 교회의 필요를 위해서 살았습니다. 참 아름다운 시간이었지만, 또 한편으로는 아쉬운 마음도 있습니다. 조금 더 다른 일들을 했더라면 더 좋지 않았을까 라는 생각도 조금은 있습니다. 그러나 그 모든 시간을 인내로 감당했기에 목회자로서의 제가 존재한다는 것 또한 알고 있습니다.
교회 주차장이 오래 되어서 성도님들께서 자발적으로 코팅을 하시겠다고 팔을 걷어 붙이셨습니다. 거의 두주간에 걸쳐서 칠을 하고 그 위에 다시 주차 라인까지 완벽하게 그리셨습니다. 저도 짬을 내어 잠깐 도왔지만 보통 고된 노동이 아닙니다. 이 힘든 일을 완벽하게 마무리하셨다는 것이 경이롭고, 너무나 감사할 따름입니다.
완전히 새것처럼 바뀐 주차장을 보면서, 예수 그리스도의 보혈과 그분의 사랑을 생각했습니다. 우리는 죄인이지만 주님께서 우리를 그분의 의로 덮으시기에, 우리는 의인으로 인정을 받습니다. 온 교회를 사랑으로 덮은 귀한 성도님들의 헌신 속에서, 우리를 덮으시는 주님의 사랑을 볼 수 있었습니다.
교회를 섬긴다는 것은, 인간의 손익계산으로는 이해할 수 없는 일입니다. 그러나 하나님께서 살아계시며, 그분이 우리의 수고를 알고 갚으신다는 것을 생각한다면 그 어떤 것보다 더욱 가치 있는 일입니다. 이렇게 열심으로 섬기시는 성도님들을 볼 때에, 저도 목회를 더 열심히 해야겠다는 다짐을 한번 더 하게 됩니다. 섬기신 분들에게 진심으로 감사드립니다. 참 수고 많으셨습니다.
A church is built on the devotion of its members. This simple truth holds the weight of countless tears and sweat. Watching our congregation serve reminds me of my own mother, whose back was bent from years of tireless service to the church. Even now, seeing the fruit of your labor during Sunday lunch fills my heart with both gratitude and a solemn sense of responsibility.
In my youth, I gave my weekends entirely to the church. While there were moments of human wandering, wondering what else I could have done with that time, I now realize those years of endurance shaped me into the pastor I am today.
Recently, our church parking lot was transformed. Our members took it upon themselves to recoat the old surface and repaint the lines—a grueling two-week task. Watching the worn-out ground become like new, I was deeply moved by the image of Jesus Christ’s Precious Blood. Just as that coating covers the cracks, the Lord covers our sins with His righteousness, calling us His own. In your selfless devotion, I saw a beautiful reflection of the Grace that covers us all.
Serving the church rarely makes sense through the lens of human calculation. However, when we remember that God is alive and rewards our labor, it becomes the most valuable work on earth. Your dedication inspires me to be a better pastor. Thank you for your beautiful service. Well done.
살아있는 교회가 된다는 것은 어떤 의미일까요? 좋은 교회는 어떤 교회일까요? 사람들의 마음에 좋은 교회에 대한 나름의 기준이 있을 것입니다. 그러나 정말 좋은 교회는 복음이 중심에 있는 교회이고, 복음에 대한 열정으로 가득한 교회입니다.
저는 모태신앙으로 자랐습니다. 헌신적으로 교회를 섬기신 어머니로부터 예수님을 배우고 신앙을 물려 받았습니다. 복음은 내가 스스로 만들어내는 것이 아니며, 누군가로부터 전달받는 것입니다. 그래서 꼭 전도가 필요합니다. 내 주변의 사람에게 복음을 전해야 하고, 그리고 나의 주변의 관계를 넘어 복음을 전해야 합니다.
성도님들과 함께 노방 전도를 나갔습니다. 참 마음이 좋았습니다. 이미 볼티모어교회는 참 아름답고 행복한 교회이지만, 더 복음 중심으로 다가가고 있음을 보았기 때문입니다. 원래 교회 안에서도 얼굴이 밝은 귀한 분들이시지만, 나가서 복음을 전할 때에 그 얼굴은 천사처럼 빛이 났습니다. 비가 오던 날이 개이던 것도 하나님의 은혜라고 생각했습니다. 모든 것이 좋았습니다.
처음보는 누군가에게 다가간다는 것, 그리고 예수님을 믿으라고 권면하며 전도지를 주는 것은 결코 쉬운 일이 아닙니다. 그러나 그것은 세상에서 가장 의미 있는 일입니다. 전도의 열매는 주님께 달렸기 때문에 우리가 부담을 가질 필요가 전혀 없습니다. 우리 교회의 중심에 예수 그리스도께서 계시다면, 그리고 우리의 마음과 손길이 잃어버린 사람들을 향해 있다면 그것으로 충분합니다.
미국에서 기독교가 중심이 있다고 하지만, 여전히 두명 중 한명은 예수님을 믿지 않습니다. 많은 사람들이 자신이 기독교인이라고 말하지만, 공동체를 떠나 교회에 나가지 않는 사람도 두명 중 한명입니다. 그래서 노방 전도는 여전히 의미가 있습니다. 누군가를 만나고, 예수님을 소개하고 다시 예수님과 교회의 소중함을 깨우치는 것, 그것이 바로 교회의 존재 목적이며 주님이 가장 기뻐하시는 세상을 향한 섬김입니다.
What defines a "living" church? While everyone has their own criteria, a truly great church is one where the Gospel is the heartbeat and passion of the community.
Faith is not something we invent; it is a gift passed down. Having inherited my faith from my mother’s devoted service, I am reminded that the Gospel must be shared to be received. This is why outreach—both to our immediate circles and beyond—is essential.
Recently, I joined our congregants for street evangelism. Baltimore Church is already a beautiful community, but seeing our members share the Gospel made it shine even brighter. Though approaching strangers with tracts is never easy, it is the most meaningful work we can do. We need not fear the results, as the harvest belongs to the Lord. If Christ remains our center and our hearts are open to the lost, that is enough.
Even in America, the need is vast: half the population does not know Christ, and many believers have distanced themselves from the church. Street outreach remains a vital way to awaken souls to the preciousness of Jesus. This service to the world is our ultimate purpose and God's greatest joy.
성도님들과 함께 부르는데 가사가 참 좋았습니다. 처음 접하는 찬양이지만 그렇게 낯설지 않았습니다. 영적으로 집중된 가사이고 아름답고 힘 있는 찬양이라고 느껴졌습니다.
저를 포함해서 모든 인간은 자신이 왕이라고 생각하며 살아갑니다. 심지어 교회조차 내가 주인이라고 주장하는 경우도 종종 봅니다. 그러나 내 인생을 내가 주인이라고 생각하는 그 순간, 한 없는 혼돈과 두려움 속에 빠져들 수 밖에 없습니다. 나는 그저, '인간'에 불과하기 때문입니다.
주님만이 왕이시라고 고백하는데, 마음이 평안해졌습니다. 현실의 두려움과 고민들이 사라진다고 느꼈습니다. 주님이 왕 되시기에 모든 것을 맡길 수 있음을 다시 한번 깨달았습니다. 그리고 나의 주권을 온전히 포기하고 주님이 왕 되심을 고백하는 것이, 가장 큰 용기를 얻는 길임을 알게 되었습니다.
우리는 하나님의 자녀 주 사랑 안에 우리 거할 때 주님 나를 사랑하신 것 같이 우리도 서로 사랑할 수 있네
우리는 주의 몸 된 교회 모든 지체가 하나될 때 예수님의 마음을 닮아가며 고통과 즐거움 함께 나누네
하나님 안에서 우리 서로 이어져 주가 거하실 성전이 되네 모퉁잇돌 되신 예수와 하나 되게 하신 성령 안에 함께 지어져 가네
2. 곡 소개
이 곡은, 팀룩워십 팀의 '함께 지어져가네' 앨범에 수록된 곡이다. 이 곡은 교회의 본질과 영적인 하나됨과 성장에 대해서 고백하고 있는 곡이다. 주님의 교회는 그리스도의 사랑을 받은 자들로 이루어지며, 그 사랑 안에서 더욱 충만해지고 서로 사랑하며 아름다운 공동체를 이루어갈 수 있음을 고백하는 탁월한 곡이다.
3. 말씀으로 바라보기
요일 3:1 보라 아버지께서 어떠한 사랑을 우리에게 베푸사 하나님의 자녀라 일컬음을 받게 하셨는가, 우리가 그러하도다 그러므로 세상이 우리를 알지 못함은 그를 알지 못함이라
신자로서 우리의 자존감은 하나님께서 우리를 사랑하시고 우리를 그분의 자녀로 부르신다는 사실에 근거합니다. 우리는 멀고 먼 미래가 아니라 지금 바로 그분의 자녀입니다. 우리가 그분의 자녀라는 사실을 아는 것은 우리에게 예수님께서 사셨던 것처럼 살도록 격려합니다.
요일 4:11 사랑하는 자들아 하나님이 이같이 우리를 사랑하셨은즉 우리도 서로 사랑하는 것이 마땅하도다 4:12 어느 때나 하나님을 본 사람이 없으되 만일 우리가 서로 사랑하면 하나님이 우리 안에 거하시고 그의 사랑이 우리 안에 온전히 이루어지느니라
우리가 예수님을 믿는 믿음으로만 하나님을 볼 수 있는 것처럼, 또한 우리는 예수님을 믿는 믿음으로 이웃을 사랑함으로써만 하나님을 섬길 수 있습니다. 하나님의 사랑이 우리 안에서 목적을 이루었다는 것은, 그 사랑이 우리로 하여금 다른 사람을 사랑하게 할 때 이루어진다는 뜻입니다. 우리가 다른 사람을 사랑할 때, 우리는 하나님의 사랑이 우리 안에 머물러 있음을 알게 됩니다.
Edward A. Engelbrecht, The Lutheran Study Bible(St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2009), 2178–2179.
고전 12:25 몸 가운데서 분쟁이 없고 오직 여러 지체가 서로 같이 돌보게 하셨느니라 12:26 만일 한 지체가 고통을 받으면 모든 지체가 함께 고통을 받고 한 지체가 영광을 얻으면 모든 지체가 함께 즐거워하느니라
엡 2:20 너희는 사도들과 선지자들의 터 위에 세우심을 입은 자라 그리스도 예수께서 친히 모퉁잇돌이 되셨느니라 2:21 그의 안에서 건물마다 서로 연결하여 주 안에서 성전이 되어 가고 2:22 너희도 성령 안에서 하나님이 거하실 처소가 되기 위하여 예수 안에서 함께 지어져 가느니라
'사도들과 선지자들의 터 위에 세워졌다’는 것은 무슨 뜻입니까? 이것은 믿는 자들의 공동체가 현재의 유행이나 흐름 위에 세워진 것이 아니라, 처음으로 유대인과 이방인에게 복음을 선포한 자들의 영적 유산 위에 세워졌다는 의미입니다.
이 찬양은, 교회의 정체성과 성장에 대한 탁월한 통찰과 진실한 고백을 담고 있는 곡이다. 하나님의 사랑이 이미 쏟아부어졌기에 우리는 그리스도 안에서 하나님의 자녀가 된 것이다. 주님의 사랑에 대한 믿음이 우리 안에서 진실한 사랑을 만들어내며, 서로를 사랑하는 영적인 원동력이 되는 것이다.
주님 안에서 영적인 가족이 되었기 때문에, 교회는 세상의 기준들을 뛰어넘어 서로를 보듬고 품어주며 섬기는 유일한 공동체가 되는 것이다. 오직 교회만이, 진정으로 한 사람의 고통과 영광을 나의 것으로 받아들이고 함께하며, 이것이야 말로 주님이 이루신 교회의 놀라운 영적인 하나됨이다.
교회의 정체성 그리고 성장은, 오직 모퉁이돌 되신 예수 그리스도로부터 나오는 것이다. 그리스도를 믿는 사람은 그분의 은혜를 붙드는 사람이다. 다시 말해, 언제나 주님 앞에서 용서 받은 죄인임을 인정하며, 자신을 돌아보고 주님을 더욱 사랑하는 하나님의 자녀로 살아가는 것이다. 오직 그리스도에 대한 감격과 은혜를 누리며 영적으로 성장해가는 것이야 말로 교회가 나아가는 영원한 방향성이라는 것이다. 이 찬양을 통해서, 나를 교회 안에 들어오게 하신 하나님을 찬양하며, 주님의 영광스러운 공동체 안에서 기쁨과 행복을 누리고 성장해 나가시는 성도님들 되시기를 기대한다.
Under the title “Scripture Alone,” I will proclaim God’s Word. Have you ever looked at your family genealogy? I once visited an elder’s home and saw his family register. He was a descendant of a well-known noble line in Korea, and though he lives in America now, he carried a deep pride in his lineage. Listening to his stories overflowing with that pride, my own heart felt enriched, because he clearly knew where his family belonged and what he could rightly boast in. Have you heard of the actor Samuel L. Jackson? He is a famous Black actor in Hollywood, and in the 1990s he even appeared as Bruce Willis’s partner in the third Die Hard film.
* Restoring Identity
This man appeared on a documentary program called Finding Your Roots—literally, “finding your roots.” As the title suggests, the show traces a person’s family line and roots through genealogy and DNA.
Through this program Samuel L. Jackson discovered many things he had never known about his past and origins: on his father’s side, his lineage traces back to the Benga people in Gabon, Africa, and he even learned that he is directly connected to a patriarchal clan. He also found that his great-great-grandfather, Elias Jackson, escaped slavery, joined the Union Army, and fought for Black freedom. Moreover, his great-great-grandparents founded Mount Zion Baptist Church, which became a center of the Black community.
In short, through this program he was almost remade into a new person. In his own eyes, he was no longer just an actor of unknown origin; looking back through his ancestors, he belonged to a proud tribe, descended from those who fought for liberty, and came from a family that lived with deep purpose. For the first time in his life, by tracing his past, he gained a new identity and a confident pride.
* Where Did Protestantism Come From? (1)
Then let us ask this question: where did Baltimore Church come from? From a modern point of view, our church belongs to the KAPC denomination—the Korean American Presbyterian Church. This denomination was founded by pastors who came from the conservative Hapdong branch of the Presbyterian Church in Korea. They established it to uphold and spread conservative, Reformed, biblical theology here in the United States. Tracing this back, the roots of our denomination go to Presbyterianism itself.
* Where Did Protestantism Come From? (2)
And where do the roots of Presbyterianism lead? They go back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where the theologian John Knox, who had studied under John Calvin in Geneva, built a system of church government that centered on God’s Word and the rule of elders. That is why our church is called “Presbyterian.” The theological foundation of Presbyterianism, then, goes back to John Knox’s teacher, John Calvin. Calvin wrote The Institutes of the Christian Religion, a monumental work that contains the core of Reformed faith and became the foundation of Presbyterian belief.
If we trace our history still further back, we reach the time when the Protestant Church was not yet separate from the Roman Catholic Church but eventually walked a different path. The event that divided them was the Reformation, through which believers came to hold a biblical faith. The term “Protestant” comes from a combination of Chinese characters meaning “newly reformed faith.”
* What Is Our Identity?
As I talk with church members, I sometimes sense that some people carry a subtle feeling of inferiority about belonging to the Protestant Church—especially when they compare it with Catholicism. Think about our time now: how does the media portray the Catholic Church? It often appears dignified and respected in society. So, many believers unconsciously assume that Protestantism somehow branched off from Catholicism, and even many Catholics believe this as well. Then what, really, is our identity? What kind of tradition do we belong to? What kind of faith do we hold? And can we be proud of this faith? That is the very question we will explore together throughout this revival series.
* The Core Spirit of the Reformation
During this revival, we will deeply explore the five “solas.” The Latin word sola means “alone” or “only.” The reason the Reformers used Latin is that it was the scholarly language of Europe and the official language of Rome, both during and after the Reformation. The Reformers and their successors used these five solas to express the core spirit of the Reformation: Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone), Solus Christus (Christ Alone), Sola Gratia (Grace Alone), Sola Fide (Faith Alone), and Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone). These five are not mere slogans—they represent the very essence of our Protestant faith.
* From the Early Church to Rome’s State Religion
To understand the essence of our faith, we must look briefly at the historical background of that time. Broadly speaking, after Jesus ascended to heaven, the early church began to grow rapidly through the preaching of the apostles and believers. Churches were established beyond Jerusalem—in Antioch to the north, in Asia Minor to the northwest, and further west in Greece and Rome. Yet the early church faced fierce persecution from the Roman Empire, lasting about 250 years—from Emperor Nero in the late first century to Emperor Diocletian at the end of the third. Many believers were martyred for their faith, but their sacrifice only made the church stronger.
During this period of persecution, spiritual leaders arose in each region to care for local churches. These leaders were called bishops. The first bishops were established in four major centers: Rome, Antioch, Alexandria in Egypt, and Jerusalem. Later, something astonishing happened.
Through the passionate evangelism and steadfast faith of Christians, the grace of God was revealed—Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan in A.D. 313, granting freedom of religion throughout the empire. And even more remarkably, in A.D. 380 under Emperor Theodosius, Christianity was declared the official religion of Rome. In other words, the empire that once persecuted Christians now became a Christian nation that professed faith in Jesus Christ.
* The Flow of the Middle Ages
From that point on, Christianity spread across Europe and throughout the Roman Empire. As the church gained strength and influence, the bishop of Rome came to hold the highest authority and began to be called the Pope. The English word Pope means “father.” Originally, it was simply a title of respect given to spiritual leaders. But the Roman Church began to claim that it inherited the authority of the apostle Peter, and thus only the bishop of Rome could be called Pope. In other words, they sought to make one man the supreme head of the entire church—and eventually, they succeeded.
Over time, the pope not only held spiritual authority but also wielded immense political power. At times he even deposed emperors or influenced who would take the throne. Because of this, the period from roughly the fifth to the sixteenth century is called the Middle Ages—a thousand years during which the church stood at the center of nearly all worldly power.
* Corruption and the Reformation
Yet the greatest problem of the Middle Ages was that the church, holding nearly all earthly power, became deeply corrupted. Church offices were openly bought and sold; with enough money, anyone could obtain a high clerical position. The church began to act like a political empire—collecting heavy taxes and amassing vast wealth. Many priests neglected their spiritual duties, and some even kept mistresses and lived worldly lives. But worse than all of this, the church no longer taught the true gospel based on Scripture.
At that time, the Bible was written only in Latin, so ordinary believers could not even read it. The church also taught that believers could not approach God directly but only through priests or through the intercession of officially recognized saints. Thus, the church chose a few people who had lived “heroic” spiritual lives, called them saints, and taught that the faithful must venerate them to reach God. Naturally, ordinary people were filled with fear and despair, asking, “Can someone like me ever go to heaven?” It was in this darkness and corruption that the Reformation arose—to restore the essence of the church and the true gospel.
* The Indulgence Scandal
What, then, was the decisive event that sparked the Reformation? It was the selling of indulgences. The Roman papacy began selling indulgences to raise funds for constructing the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica. An indulgence was a certificate that supposedly released a person—or even someone already dead—from punishment for sin, in exchange for money. Although indulgences had existed before, they had never been used on such a massive scale. But when the pope became desperate for funds, he began promoting them aggressively.
The leading salesman was a man named Johann Tetzel. He preached to the crowds, saying, “As soon as the coin in the coffer rings, the soul from purgatory springs.” The idea of purgatory, however, does not exist in Scripture. The medieval church taught that those who believed in God but were not yet pure enough for heaven could be cleansed in purgatory, and that the prayers—or payments—of the living could shorten their suffering there. This deception spread rapidly throughout Europe, enslaving the people’s faith to fear and money.
* Luther Opposes the Sale of Indulgences
While this absurd teaching was sweeping across Europe and deceiving the masses, Martin Luther emerged as the central figure of the Reformation. Luther had originally studied law but later became a monk and priest. As a priest, he was required to preach about indulgences to the people, but he knew in his heart that they were utterly wrong. He protested, writing letters to church leaders and urging them to stop the practice, but his pleas were ignored.
At first, Luther did not intend to oppose the pope directly or start a great movement of reform. Yet under God’s guidance, he became fully convinced that the indulgence system was contrary to Scripture and the gospel of grace. On October 31, 1517, Luther wrote ninety-five theses against indulgences and nailed them to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Some of the key statements included:
21. “Therefore those preachers of indulgences are in error who say that by the pope’s indulgences a man is freed from every penalty and saved.”
22. “The pope cannot remit any guilt, except by declaring that it has been remitted by God.”
36. “Any truly repentant Christian has a right to full remission of penalty and guilt, even without indulgence letters.”
37. “Every true Christian, living or dead, has a share in all the benefits of Christ and of the Church, given by God even without letters of indulgence.”
54. “Injury is done to the Word of God when, in the same sermon, an equal or larger amount of time is devoted to indulgences than to the Word.”
86. “Why does the pope, whose wealth today is greater than the riches of the richest, not build the basilica of St. Peter with his own money rather than with that of poor believers?”
Luther’s bold act directly challenged both the church and the pope. Within two weeks, his theses had spread throughout Germany; within six weeks, all of Europe knew his name.
* Luther Stands on the Word Alone
Naturally, Luther soon received an official notice of excommunication from the pope. It meant that he was formally expelled from the church—that his life as a priest was over. In April 1521, he was summoned to the Diet of Worms, where he stood before the emperor and high-ranking church officials, accused of heresy. His writings were laid before him, and he was commanded to recant. The pressure was enormous.
Imagine the weight of that moment: Luther stood alone against the entire power of the church and empire, simply because he had opposed indulgences based on the Word of God. Overwhelmed by the tension, he asked for one night to think and pray. The next day, he returned to the same hall and spoke these immortal words:
“I am bound by the Scriptures I have quoted, and my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other. God help me. Amen.”
When the crowd heard his words, a great cheer rose up. Through this event, Luther showed the world that he was completely held captive by God’s Word. What mattered to him was not his emotions, position, or future, but obedience to Scripture and the will of God. Thus he became a man who changed the course of Christian history.
The Reformers called this conviction Sola Scriptura—“Scripture Alone.” In other words, the Word of the Lord stands above every human authority and is the only truth worthy of our full trust. This is not only how the Protestant Church began; it is the very core of our identity as God’s people.
* The Story of King Josiah
In that sense, it is truly fascinating that this kind of reform—centered on the Word of God—is a recurring pattern throughout Scripture. The passage we read today describes one such reform in the days of the kings. If Luther’s Reformation took place in the 1500s, then King Josiah ruled around 640 B.C.—more than two thousand years earlier.
At that time, the nation of Israel had been divided after Solomon’s reign into two kingdoms: the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Josiah was the sixteenth king of Judah, remembered as one who faithfully served the Lord. According to 2 Kings 22:1, he ascended the throne at only eight years old. Eighteen years later, he gave a remarkable order. Verse 5 says, “Let them give it to the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord, and let them repair the house.”
What does this tell us? The temple of God still stood, but it had been neglected and left in ruins. Under Josiah’s predecessors—Manasseh and Amon—the kingdom had fallen into its darkest days. Manasseh even set up altars to idols in the temple courts, an act of terrible blasphemy. His son Amon followed his father’s evil ways, worshiping idols as well. For fifty-seven long years, the temple lay abandoned, and true worship ceased. But now, Josiah began a reformation.
* The Discovery of the Lost Book of the Law
During the restoration of the temple, something extraordinary happened: the Book of the Law of the Lord was found. Scripture doesn’t tell us exactly where, but it must have been hidden in some forgotten corner of the decaying temple. For nearly fifty years, no one had cared for or even remembered God’s Word—until now, when it reappeared before His people.
The scribe Shaphan brought the book before the king and read it aloud. Verses 10 and 11 record, “Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, ‘Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.’ And Shaphan read it before the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.”
Which part of this moves your heart most? For me, the phrase “he tore his clothes” deeply touches my spirit. In those days, tearing one’s garments was a sign of deep anguish and repentance. Think about this: what do Luther’s Reformation and Josiah’s renewal have in common? Both men encountered God’s Word with sincerity and were broken before it.
Another similarity is this—those who revered the Word in their times were a small minority. In Josiah’s day, the entire nation had forgotten where the Book of the Law even was. Likewise, in Luther’s day, the Bible had been silenced under the weight of human authority. Yet through a few faithful servants who stood upon the Word alone, God brought revival and reform.
This is what the Reformers meant by Sola Scriptura—Scripture Alone. It is the conviction that the Word of God alone surpasses every human opinion and stands as the ultimate authority in life and faith.
* The People Renew the Covenant Together
In 2 Kings 23:1–2, the story continues: “Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. And the king went up to the house of the Lord, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord.”
What an astonishing moment! When Josiah heard the Word of God and the warnings of judgment, he did not keep them to himself. He went to the temple, gathered all the people—young and old, leaders and citizens—and had the Word read aloud so that everyone could hear it.
Verse 3 continues: “And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.”
This “covenant” simply means a promise. Together, before the Lord, the entire nation promised to obey God and to keep His commandments. After fifty long years, the people of God experienced a true revival—a renewal of heart and community centered on the Word.
In other words, the essence of the Christian faith is that we realize our sin through the Word and are transformed by it. But this transformation does not stop with an individual—it spreads throughout the entire community of God’s people. That is what true revival is.
* Luther Translates the Bible for God’s People
Now let us return to Luther. After he declared that he would stand on God’s Word alone, what happened next? On his way home from the Diet of Worms, Luther was suddenly seized by a group of armed horsemen and taken away. Many thought he had been kidnapped by enemies—but in fact, the soldiers were acting under the orders of Frederick the Wise, a prince who admired Luther and sought to protect him.
Hidden away in Wartburg Castle, Luther began a new and remarkable task: translating the Bible. In the Middle Ages, Scripture existed only in Latin, a language ordinary believers could not read. Luther, however, wanted every person to have access to the Word of God. During ten months in seclusion, he translated the entire New Testament into German. By 1534, the complete Bible was published.
Why did Luther labor so passionately to translate Scripture? Because he understood, more than anyone, the necessity of Sola Scriptura—Scripture Alone. The greatest tragedy of the Middle Ages was that the Bible had been ignored and forgotten, allowing human greed and pride to rule the church. The only way to restore truth was to return to the Word of God.
In the end, both history and faith show the same truth: people are changed by the Word of God, and communities are renewed through it. This is the most powerful spiritual principle that runs through all of Christian history.
* The Servant of the Lord Desires His Word
Psalm 19:9–12 beautifully describes the power of God’s Word:“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults!”
These are the words of David. How does he describe the Word of the Lord? He says it is perfect, pure, and more precious than the finest gold—sweeter than honey itself. Two expressions especially move me: “more to be desired” and “your servant.” David shows that reading the Word is not about intellectual understanding alone. What matters is his attitude toward it—his longing, his love, his humility. He says, “Your servant is warned by them,” confessing that even as a king, he stands before God as nothing more than a servant who listens to his Master’s Word.
* Do You Humbly Desire the Word?
When I was in seminary, I had a wonderful professor of homiletics who had studied preaching in England and came to teach his first class at our school. He said to his students, “If you meditate on the meaning of God’s Word with deep longing, the truth will rise before you like the sun breaking over a dark horizon.”
At first, I honestly didn’t understand what he meant. But through years of training and prayer, I came to realize that such a level of insight truly exists. A preacher must be utterly humble before the Word—never relying on his own ideas or experience, but praying, meditating, and longing to understand until the Holy Spirit reveals God’s truth and gives inspiration.
And I have learned through ministry that this principle applies not only to preachers but to all believers. God grants His grace to anyone who sincerely loves and longs for His Word. The key is earnestness and sincerity. If we read Scripture carelessly—like glancing at a road sign—our hearts will not change. But when we love God’s Word, long for it deeply, and seek to meet Him through it, God Himself meets us, fills our hearts with grace, and transforms our lives and communities.
Therefore, a humble heart that bows before the Word and follows it alone is the true spirit of the Reformation—the faith of Sola Scriptura that we must continue to live by.
* Conclusion
As we trace the roots of our church, where do we ultimately arrive? We arrive at Luther’s Reformation. When the medieval church lost the power of God’s Word and was overtaken by human greed, confusion, and darkness, God raised up Luther and the Reformers to restore His church. The Reformation was not merely a division from the Catholic Church—it was the greatest renewal in human history, restoring the church to a biblical foundation.
And the driving force behind that great movement was none other than the Word of God. Therefore, my earnest desire is that we, too, hold firmly to this precious identity. May each of us draw near to the Word, be transformed by it, and allow it to renew our lives. And may the Word of the Lord govern and shape our community, so that together we may move forward, holding fast to Scripture Alone.
In the name of our Lord, I bless you all. Let us pray.
