How the reformers give hope to the church today

I sank deeper into our couch as I read one news headline after another on my phone. Articles about upcoming elections, global conflicts and natural disasters sent me into an anxious spiral. I wondered how the church could remain faithful to Christ in such a confusing, corrupt and hopeless age.

My children interrupted my doomscrolling with a stack of books and pleading looks in their eyes. We had just checked out books from the library about Reformation Day and the reformers.

I put my phone down and my kids curled up on the couch next to me. When I opened the first picture book, I read about Martin Luther. In a world of political and religious tension, Christ helped him stand up for the truth and endure persecution. I read about the young Queen Jeanne of Navarre, who bravely used her reign to spread the gospel despite her family’s opposition. I read about William Tyndale, who gave his life to make the Bible available in English to all people.

The more I read, the more hope and courage replaced my fear and anxiety. I have long loved learning about church history and reading biographies of faith heroes. Stories of past faithful Christians can strengthen our present faithfulness and strengthen our hope for the future.

Current encouragement from former Christians

Our generation may face unique struggles, but believers in every age and culture have had to fight sin, defend the truth, and endure persecution. Even in these tense and tumultuous days, we can hold on to the security, trust, and hope we have in Christ by remembering His faithfulness to sustain His people throughout church history.

Church history demonstrates God’s sovereign government

Watching news anchors report on global politics and crises, it’s tempting to believe that world leaders ultimately determine the future of our country and even the church. But Proverbs 21:1 reminds us, “The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it whithersoever he will.”

We see God’s sovereignty over kings demonstrated throughout biblical and church history, especially in how God uses secular leaders to bring about His blessing and judgment. God allowed the German nobility (even those with self-serving motives) to protect Luther and spread his teachings. God used King Henry VIII’s sinful desire for divorce to separate England from Roman Catholicism, opening the door for the Reformation to spread. When political leaders—often Christians—persecuted Anabaptists, God worked through their martyrdom and preserved their pursuit of religious freedom that influenced many modern churches.

Our generation may face unique struggles, but believers in every age and culture have had to fight sin, defend the truth, and endure persecution.

Even ungodly leaders who did evil could not overthrow God’s providential plan to grow His church. We can take courage when evil powers reign because God is still enthroned in heaven and works out His will for our good and His glory.

Church history reminds us of our true citizenship

The reformers didn’t get everything right. After escaping persecution, Lutherans persecuted the Anabaptists for their stance on religious freedom. When Tyndale’s Bible translation was finally accepted, only merchants and aristocrats were allowed to read it. Reformers often used their newfound power to inflict violence on Roman Catholics.

We can learn from both the faithfulness and mistakes of earlier Christians. What if Lutherans had appreciated the Anabaptists’ emphasis on discipleship? What if Anabaptists had learned from the boldness of the Lutherans in the secular world? How much more would they have been marked by the love of Christ if they had worked together?

Paul appealed to the Corinthian church to prioritize their identity in Christ over their adherence to a particular leader so that “there would be no division among (them)” and they would “be united in the same mind and the same judgment” (1 Corinthians 1:10).

We can find strength in our current culture by joining believers who are united with us in Christ, even as they disagree with or differ from us.

Church history inspires hope for future generations

Parents often repeat the fear: “What kind of world will our children live in?” Christian parents may see the current trajectory of the culture and worry that future generations will experience hardship and persecution they will not be able to endure.

While recent research shows that church attendance and religious affiliation are declining in America, a broader view of church history urges believers that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against” Christ’s church (Matt. 16:18). Our current age and culture can bring unique difficulties that previous generations did not face. But Christ has always worked in His people to help them endure persecution, remain holy, and correct heresy.

God raised up Luther to correct the false doctrine of indulgences. God called John Calvin to remind his people of his sovereignty among mighty world leaders. God empowered the Anabaptists to demonstrate the importance of personal commitment to Christ. The same God who sustained these reformers as they struggled against the grain of culture will sustain His people today until He brings us home to glory.

Our Western world may be more hostile to Christianity in the future, but we need not fear because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8).

Look at Christ throughout history

The Reformation was a turning point not only in the history of the church, but also in the world. Five hundred years from now, believers can look back on recent decades as a similar turning point for the Western world and the church. But when they do, they will see God’s hand protecting and purifying His people as He reigned supreme over leaders and culture.

The same God who sustained the reformers as they fought against the grain of culture will sustain His people today until He brings us home to glory.

By looking back at our rich church history, we can have confidence, security and hope today and in the future. “We are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses” (12:1)—from every generation and culture—reminding us of God’s sovereignty, our eternal citizenship, and our unshakable future.

When fear and anxiety tempt us to forget our Christian identity, the power of God, and the hope of heaven, let us turn off the news and open the pages of church history. Then we can “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and finisher of our faith” (vv. 1-2).