Faith in a Changing Climate

A thousand years after the time of Augustine, the Christian world faced a different challenge. The church was now fully part of the establishment — indeed it was the dominant organization in Europe, but it had it had become corrupt and money-grubbing. In response to this situation, reformers such as Martin Luther initiated a Reformation — a back to basics movement. They said that the priesthood had failed the people that they were supposed to be leading, so we should have a ‘Priesthood of All Believers’. Moreover, we should base our faith on scripture — sola scriptura, and that we are justified by faith — sola fide — not by good works. Priests are no longer needed.