The Reformers' Cry 2/5 | Triadic Model for Reform

Past Protestant reformations made an impact in three areas: theology, economics and politics.  These three spheres form a triadic model that is dynamic in its interaction.

The theological sphere provides a solid foundation for the economic and the political.  Each sphere interacts with the others and provides a synergistic effect that is greater than the sum of the parts.  The arrows in the diagram below indicate the interaction that takes place between the spheres.      

In contrast, the dynamic is removed if the three elements are separated in either a purely materialistic or spiritualistic way.

The modern world is atheistic and materialistic in its assumptions, robbing the political and economic spheres of their theological and moral grounding.  The result is a tendency to define problems in solely physical terms and solutions in mere material terms.

Likewise, the dynamic is lost if things are viewed in primarily spiritual terms.  The Greeks separated the world into physical and spiritual elements in which the physical is profane and the spiritual is sacred.  Many evangelical and fundamentalist churches in the West today think like the Greeks and separate the spiritual from the physical.  Concentrating solely on "spiritual things" and neglecting the physical reality in which we live renders the Church utterly irrelevant in the world today.

East and West are in a crisis. The global South is emerging.   The current metaphysics is not sufficient to support democratic institutions, economic development or even life itself.  Eastern Europe and the post- Soviet Union should not look to the Atheistic West but to Christ.  Likewise a hungry world should not gaze too long at the West's opulence and materialism but to the freedom and opportunity provided by "the spirit of democratic capitalism." The Muslim world should not look at the decadence and opulence of the West and think that this is “Christian.”

The Three Rallying Cries of the Reformation

The principles of the Reformation have been articulated in three very simple "mottoes" or rallying cries.

THEOLOGICAL RALLYING CRY

Solo Christo Sola Fide Sola Scriptura

= = =

Christ Alone Faith Alone Scripture Alone

 

ECONOMIC RALLYING CRY

"Work as hard as you can."

"Save as much as you can."

"Give as much as you can."

POLITICAL RALLYING CRY 

"All men are sinners."

We will examine each of these in turn.

Credit: Scott Allen and Darrow Miller | Disciple Nations Alliance 

⏭️3/5-The Theological Cry

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